Legendary reggae artiste Raskimono passes on at 60; Nigerians React

Born Ekeleke Elumelu, in Delta State, Nigeria, Ras Kimono started out his career, firstly as a student of Gbenoba Secondary School Agbor and later as a member of the Jastix Reggae Ital, alongside Majek Fashek, Amos McRoy Jegg and Black Rice Osagie. His music was greatly influenced by the poverty, inequality and hardship he witnessed in his early life. He released his solo debut album Under Pressureon the Premier Music label in 1989, which propelled him to instant continental stardom. The album had hits such as “Under Pressure”, “Natty Get Jail” and the massive hit “Rhumba Style”. He later released a string of hit albums, touring all over Africa, Europe and the United States, promoting his brand of reggae music

The reggae singer demise was announced on a microblogging platform today, 10th of June 2018. According to reports, he was bound to travel to United States last night, and he complained of not feeling too well. He was rushed to an hospital in Ikeja then later taken to Lagoon Hospital in the Island where he passed out

Ras Kimono talked extesively in one of his latest interviews with musicinafrica, the legend shrugged at profanities and all the talk about boobs and buttocks in the music industry. Notably, he talked about how he was happy to support Timaya on his album. He said;  ‘Dem go like me, me no like them’ in his song,” he tells me. “I gave my permission. I always tell all of them to feel free to use my music. I just wish to see better lyrics and more conscious content

The rastaman also talked about how his daughter, Oge Kimono, known for gleefully raises the reggae flag for all to see, “Some of our youth do dancehall and that’s okay. The rhythm is great unlike the lyrics. My daughter, Oge Kimono, does reggae. We have to keep reggae going, man. That’s why I’m hustling like I’m just starting. We need to speak for the people.” He quipped.

What remains of your reggae industry? Will the likes of Timaya, Patoranking, Oge Kimono and new breed of rastafaris be able to carry th flag of the great legend?

However, some Nigerians took to Twitter to mourn the great Rastarian. See tweets below:

@Xcel_101 “Ras Kimono is dead. Another iconic musician gone. RIP.”

@TousenCollins “For real! Jah rest his soul. One of the evergreen ones has gone.”

@Rouvafe “You made music that touched the soul. R.I.P Ras Kimono.”

@Okemzuruoke “Majek Fashek, alongside Oritz Wiliki and Ras Kimono made my childhood years. I hear Kimono retired from lifedom today. I will never forget the good old days. Goodbye, legend. Your music gave us life.”

@Deejayneptune “You made music that touched the soul. R.I.P Ras Kimono.”

@Greatgracious “His name is Ras Kimono.
He is an iconic musician that made music that had meaning. It is painful that now he is gone.
May his soul rest in peace.”

@Mickiebrownie “R.I.P Reggae Icon Ras Kimono passed away but his great songs lives behind

Rest in peace brotherman, Jahrastafari.