Nigeria’s reggae music maestro, Ras Kimono is dead. He died last night (Saturday) at Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi where he was transferred ahead of his scheduled medical trip to the United States of America.
Ras Kimono, a Delta born musician whose real name is Ukeleke Onwubuya died barely three weeks after he celebrated his 60th birthday. He was rushed to a private hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, before being taken to Lagoon Hospital in the Island.
He was famed for his peculiar reggae music fused with thick African beat and rhythm. He was noted for the hit singles ‘Under pressure’ and ‘We no want.’
Legendary Sir Shina Peters and other members of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) have since confirmed the death.
Kimono was the rave among the youths in the 1990s, especially with his brand of reggae and his dance style which held a massive appeal to the youths.
He laced his lyrics with Jamaican Patois.
In 1989, he and his band group, Massive Dread Reggae Band, released an album titled: Under Pressure, the lyrics of which are still relevant till date. [myad]
