WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29 2021
VIEWING 9:30AM • SERVICE 11AM
Call to Prayer
Janazah for King
Progressive Church of God In Christ
Viewing 9:30-11am | Music & Photos Service 11am
Introductory Remarks / Special Message
Message to Sis. Hanifah and Family
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
New Testament
Musical Medley: No Woman No Cry / Redemption Song
Scripture Readings
New Testament
Qur’an
Obituary Highlights
Personal Reflections (2 min)
Minister Hannibal
BlackPoet Ventures
Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan
Proverbs 11:10; Psalm 23: 2-6
Matthew 5:15-16
MysticBlu
Poetry Selections / Tributes
Musical Selection: His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Musical Selection: Precious Lord
Words of Wisdom and Comfort
Scripture Readings
New Testament
Qur’an
Native Ritual
FOI Salute
Closing Remarks
Final Prayer
Matthew 6:9-15
Surah 2:153-157
.Robert Daniels, Leah Marché, Billy Ramsey
Family and Community
. Vaughn Willis
Poetry Selections / Tributes
Pastor Victor J. Rushing Sr.
Rev. 21:4; Rom. 8:28
Surah 2:286
.Sadanyah FloweringWater and Family
Private Singing Bowl session with wife and children
Repast 3-6pm at AFRISoul Marketplace 1145 E. Washington Street, Phoenix 85034
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Double Butte Cemetery
2505 W. Broadway Road, Tempe 85282
Remembering King O B I T U A R Y
Aborn December 9, 1966, in Long Island, New York, to loving parents Edward O’Neal Sr., and Daisy Burroughs. His colorful upbringing revolved around the arts and activism. His family moved to Arizona during his early childhood. His journey of expression began at a young age, being impacted by Ossie Davis, James Earl Jones and Yul Brynner — having seen such thespians on the Broadway stage – and eventually the birth of Hiphop culture. The graduate of Pueblo Magnet High School in Tucson would go on to choose a path of writer, poet, storyteller, spoken word artist, playwright and actor. He stated: “I leave my soul wide open so my words can travel like liquid and give birth to others through inspiration.” He cites additional influences as his “mother, grandparents and every poet that has ever blessed a sheet of paper with words that move, shape and enlighten.”
Once in Arizona, he encountered the Villalobas – Big Moe and family – who took him in as family. He learned to speak Spanish, hike mountains and work the land. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent most of his service in Hawaii working as a helicopter mechanic and aviation rescue swimmer. After duty and an honorable discharge, he continued his education receiving an associate’s degree at Phoenix College. While he acknowledged suffering from PTSD, he wouldn’t let that deter him. His poetry allowed him to cope with setbacks as well as mentoring youth — whether through creative writing and music workshops or Pop Warner football.
Having studied with Nations of Gods and Earths, he would soon become known as King Savior Allah. He formed spoken word groups Politik N Poetry and Elevated Minds, and worked as a music journalist with PUB Magazine, a local entertainment publication.
In 2003, he signed with Chillifunk Records out of the UK; his 2002 track “Liberacion/Free” received heavy rotation in the international House music scene. His poem “Smile” is catalogued in the Library of Congress. Then, in 2005, he released spoken-word project From The Collection: Somber City Blues – a Hiphoplaced anthem for social and economic change. Poetik King, as he called himself, has shared the stage with the likes of Erykah Badu, Cody Chesnutt, West Side Connection, MC Eiht, Compton’s Most Wanted, Coolio and Snoop Dogg. He coordinated award-winning dancer Liz Lerman’s Dance Exchange Genome Project at Arizona State University.
Also in 2005, he co-founded BlackPoet Ventures with Billy Ramsey, Robert Daniels and Leah Marché, along with assistance of mentors Dr. Camilla Westenberg, Capucine Jackson and Rod Ambrose. For more than a decade, BPV would produce magic for the stage with what they coined “poeticductions,” featuring hundreds of artists in Arizona. Receiving several grants for their work, King and the crew had the opportunity to stage a 60plus local cast for the acclaimed EchoVerses: Black Poets Yesterday Today and perform endorsed tributes to Miles Davis, Muhammad Ali and Donny Hathaway, as well as travel beyond the state to inspire others to embrace the power of poetry. Erik also was a member of the popular band The Market.
If you were in the market for baked goods, among King’s talents was baking and tantalizing the tastebuds of happy customers for weddings and events.
A proud moment for Erik was earning his bachelor’s degree in anthropology from ASU. Yet, his path as a spiritual student, servant and teacher through his devotion to Islam inspired him to actively work toward a more fair and just society for all. He was passionate about global health and the injustices faced by youth. He lived as a Poor Righteous Teacher and by the philosophy of “each one, teach one.” Through words and actions, he strived to uplift, inspire and empower others.
Erik met his wife, Hanifah, at a poetry event in 2010. They wed November 21, 2011, in a private courthouse ceremony. Together, they had four children and worked in artistic and community activism spaces to elevate the knowledge and power of the communities.
He was drawn to the work of Tiger Mountain Foundation, serving on its board and facilitating community gardening and the merging of arts and the healing power of food. He most recently began The Radicle Cure education platform to promote living a natural and healthy lifestyle by addressing the root causes of disease. He also was part of the mission of The World Alliance of Indigenous Peoples. Projects he wanted to accomplish included another spoken word project in honor of his late firstborn son, Givon, and an anthology featuring essays written from the male perspective.
“It is hard to put what I have accomplished into context. On one hand, it’s like I have done almost everything that I have set out to do; and on the other hand, it feels as if I am having an outer-body experience as I look back into self and see where I have come from and where I am going. Living your dream is like a reality with a dream sensation, meaning most days I have to pinch myself to advise self that I am truly realizing and living what seemed to be an impossible mission once upon a time.”
* * *
Erik returned to Allah on December 15, 2021. May Allah accept his good deeds and enter into Jannatul Firdaus. Those who knew him will remember Erik as a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. What got him out of bed each day? “My children and the desire to show them that they can be whatever they want to be regardless to whom or what!”
Preceding him in death is his son, Givon Nakai O’Neal, and sister, Ayanna Carrol Reid.
He is survived by his: loving wife, Hanifah Muhammad; six children –daughter, Alyssa Poland (24) son, Jair O’Neal (20), daughters Hadiyah Muhammad-Dean (19), Hasyah Muhammad (10), Basheerah Muhammad (8), and sons, Ishmael Muhammad (6) and Bilal Muhammad (3); four grandchildren – Za’Nyah O’Neal, Za’Layah O’Neal, La’Nayah O’Neal and Givon O’Neal; mother, Daisy Burroughs-Hall; father, Edward O’Neal Sr.; sisters Lavinia Burroughs, Sadanyah FloweringWater, Kim O’Neal, April O’Neal-Tyuus, Ashley Welch, and Leah Marché; brothers, Hashim Carrol, Ed O’Neal Jr., Bryan O’Neal, Michael Knox, Lavelle Claiborne, Robert Daniels and Billy Ramsey.
Plus, he leaves to cherish his memory a multitude of nieces and nephews, a host of extended family and beloved friends, as well as a community of artists and activist friends.
The name Erik means “eternal ruler.” Our King forever will be a rebel and warrior of Goodness, Truth and God Almighty.
The spoken word is the reflection of the written word, which is born within the third eye (your mind). To put thoughts and concerns into poetry or essay form is the simple most powerful way of expressing how you feel, or expressing the thoughts and feelings of those that are around you. Poets, throughout time, have been the voice of the people and the conscience of change. You must understand your words have the effect of water on most peoples minds… They can be as frigid as the Arctic Ocean or as warm as the Pacific, so you must chose your words wisely.
I be constantly running from what I be running to / battling things that are unseen / trying to understand, comprehend, and make peace with the conflict and confusion that’s trapped inside this shell of life / my black skin / you see / I understand that I be who I be / but, what I be, scares me / traps me / loves me / hates me / and makes love to me all at the same time / but never truly understanding me / forever trying to figure me out / that shit has me tired y’all / so tired I’m weak / so I be constantly running from what I be running to / that which traps me, loves me, hates me, and makes love to me / that which scares me / that which scares me / though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death / contented and malcontent | forever trying to satisfy the dissatisfied / now I’m swimming upstream in the same river that gave me life / and I’m drowning / drowning in all the inequities that’s surrounding me / still battling those same demons that’s trying to control me / simultaneously soothing and suffocating / what once, what once came with no conditions, that shit now comes with conditions / so I be constantly running from what / be running to / that which traps me, loves me, hates me, and makes love to me, that which scares me, that which scares me / poor righteous teacher / that which is me…
The poet is born out of restlessness and angst. He or she is willing to take the lead to speak for the speechless and to be the voice of the voiceless. Their words can no longer remain confined, and their poetry becomes the catalyst for change. The point of poetry is to say something, but it is also about doing something. Grand changes within society must first occur with spokespersons. Poets are no different than legislators or lobbyists. Poetry has become my voice, my truth. And by being so it has freed me from paralyzing fears that kept me motionless as a youth and has unlocked my fears as an adult. Now through poetry I have become the voice for the voiceless, the inspiration for so many others, the epitome of social change. Poetry has given me the courage to take on the powers that be to affect change by being the storyteller, the griot of the community. — April 2014
A Debt of Gratitude
The Family of Erik O’Neal wishes to express our deep and utmost appreciation for the many expressions of love, kindness, and concern extended to us during this time of mourning. Thank you for your continued support and keeping us near and dear to your hearts.
“No soul dies but with the permission of Allah, the term is fixed. Whenever a misfortune befalls the believers they say Allah is my patron and to Him is our eventual return.”
Please continue to share words of kindness, prayers, memories, poetry and pictures using #LoveForKing via social media.