Nigerian Reggae Star, Ras Kimono, is Dead

Ronke Kehinde/

Rub-a-dub master and Nigerian reggae icon, Ras Kimono, has died, sources close to the musician disclosed today.

According to reports, Kimono fell ill on Saturday on his way to the U.S., then friends rushed him to a hospital in Ikeja from where he was transferred to Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi.

He died early today at 60.

A native of Asaba, in Delta State, Kimono’s real name is Ekeleke Onwubuya Elumelu.

He was a social change advocate.

His albums included ‘Rhumba Style’, ‘Lone Ranger’, ‘Whats A Gwan’, ‘Babylon Burning’, and Rastafari Chant.

He will be remembered for many of his popular songs as this debut album released in 1989:

 

Before he released his solo album, Kimono was in a group called The Jastix along with Amos McRoy, Black Rice Osagie, and Majek Fashek.

His music was greatly influenced by the poverty, inequality and hardship he witnessed in his early life. He released his solo debut album “Under pressure” on the Premier Music label in 1989, which propelled him to instant continental stardom. The album had hits like “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 USA, promoting his brand of Reggae music.

Kimono won several awards including the Nigeria Music Awards, Fame Music Awards among others.

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