Adil Bayyan 1955-2022

Adil Bayyan was born in Youngstown, on Sept. 3, 1955, to Mary Ellen Bell Jackson and the late Franklin Jackson Sr. He was the middle of three brothers, Royal, Adil and Keith.

In 1992, Adil married Tyrea White and together they created a loving home that always welcomed family and friends into the fold of their beautiful, blended family. With Tyrea by his side, Adil was a devoted father to 10 children, Torin, Raine, Jihad, Aneesa, Aaron, Hakim, Hassan, Khalil, Khaleb and Kailah.

Adil was raised in Youngstown, and abroad in Germany, where his father, Frank, was stationed in the Army. At 11 years old, Adil began playing the drums. This was the spark that led to his lifelong love of music and his career in the music industry.

At the age of 18, Adil left Youngstown for Jersey City, N.J. to live with his cousins, Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald “Khalis” Bell of Kool and the Gang. Following in the footsteps of his famous cousins, Adil, his brother, Royal, and his cousin, Amir, started the band Forecast. To earn money, Adil began working as a roadie for Kool and the Gang; however, his contagious optimism and ability to manage diverse personalities quickly moved him into the position of road manager.

In 1988, an early indicator of Adil’s eye for talent was his discovery of Color Me Badd while on the road with Kool and the Gang in Oklahoma. The young group snuck into an event where Kool and the Gang was performing and gave an impromptu audition. Adil immediately recognized the group’s potential. As Color Me Badd’s manager, Adil orchestrated a series of collaborations, which included his brother, Royal Bayyan, that led to their 1991 breakout hit, “I Wanna Sex You Up,” and the rest is history.

In 1992, Adil began working closely with his best friend and business partner, Shamsud-Din Sharif. The duo’s music industry expertise included management of writers and producers, most notably The Messengers, who wrote songs for numerous artists, including Justin Bieber and Chris Brown. Adil’s strength as a manager and his eye for talent led him to discover some of the industry’s heavy hitters, including Solo, P!nk and Nasri Atweh (Magic!). He also wrote and produced songs with Gloria Gaynor, Vanessa Williams and LaToya Jackson.

In 1997, Adil became the manager of Kool and the Gang and stayed with the band until his death.

Adil was widely known as one of the good guys in the music industry. When Adil walked into a meeting, his smile lit up the room; everyone loved working with Adil. He cared about the people he collaborated with and his word was his bond. Adil was practical, honest and straightforward. If he ever had to deliver bad news, he always said … “I have some good news for you and some bad news, which one do you want first?” The name of his management company was Str8-Hand Entertainment, and that described Adil’s style. No matter what the news, he always gave it to you straight and ended every briefing with the phrase “But the good news is …” Every conversation with Adil left you feeling optimistic.

Despite his busy music career, Adil was always up to something new. In 2005, he received a certificate in construction management from Temple University. Adil and Shamsud-Din worked on construction projects, commercial and residential, throughout Philadelphia, Pa. The custom work that they completed was reflected in their motto, “Dream…Design…Build.” Their visions can be viewed in Harambee Institute Charter School; Southwest Leadership Charter School; and Math, Civic and Sciences Charter School. They are most proud of the design and renovation of Khadijah Alderman’s Funeral Home, the first Muslim funeral home in Philadelphia.

When his sons were young, Adil began martial arts training with them, receiving his black belt in Tae Kwan Do. In 2015, he began training with Sifu Keith Mazza and developed mastery in the art of Wing Chun. He attained a dark brown sash, which made him a level six Wing Chun instructor. Adil also received a level three instructor certification in Kali stick fighting.

Adil cared deeply about his family and close circle of friends. He was a wise counselor to his children and anyone who needed encouragement and advice. He had a practical solution for any situation. He was always rooting for you and never judged. As a son to his late father, Franklin, and his dear mother, Mary Ellen, Adil was the child that every parent dreams of. To his father, he was faithful and loving. He ensured that the lives of his children were impacted by the stewardship of their grandparents and forever cemented in his children the importance of keeping the generations close. To his mother, Mary Ellen, Adil made sure that she never wanted for anything. She only had to say the word and Adil was always there to comfort her, laugh with her, and fill her world with joy. Adil also had an especially close relationship with his in-laws, the late Leon and Dorothy White, who cherished him.

There are no words to express how deeply this beautiful soul will be missed. Our time with him has come to an end and we faithfully surrender to the will of Allah. Adil was the heart of our family. As-salamu Alaikum our dearest brother, father, husband, Pop-pop, uncle, cousin and friend. Your soul is at rest.

Adil was predeceased by his father, Franklin Jackson Sr.; his mother-in-law, Dorothy White; his father-in-law, Leon White; and his cousins, Michael Bell, Ronald “Khalis” Bell and Wahid Bayyan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Tyrea White Bayyan; his sons, Torin Griffin, Jihad Bayyan Jackson, Aaron Bayyan, Hakim Bayyan, Hassan Bayyan, Khalil Bayyan and Khaleb Bayyan; his daughters, Raine Bayyan (Chanstan Wright), Aneesa Bayyan and Kailah Bayyan; his mother, Mary Ellen Bell Jackson; his brothers, Royal Bayyan and Keith Jackson; his grandchildren, Maliyah Johnson and Amerie Harris, Nuri Bayyan, Azmn Bayyan, Nasir Bayyan, Jacob and Nathan Bayyan, Idris Bayyan and Anaysha Jones; his cousins, Robert Kool Bell, Amir Bayyan and Sharifah Bayyan; sister-in-law, Ashia James Bayyan; his dear friends, Shamsud-Din Sharif and Charles Salaam Hawkins; and a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends throughout the world.

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