Legendary Reggae Artist, Ras kimono Has Passed Away

Nigerian music legend, Ekeleke Elumelu popularly known as “Ras Kimono” has passed away.

The Reggae artist who recently clocked 60 died on Sunday, June 10, 2018. According to reports, he was said to have completed plans to travel to the United States on Saturday night, and he complained of feeling funny. Then, he slumped at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos while waiting to board his flight.

He was immediately rushed to an unidentified hospital in Ikeja and later taken to Lagoon Hospital on the Island where he passed away.

His death was confirmed by the President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Pretty Okafor and the Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria, Chief Tony Okoroji.

Okafor described Kimono’s death as very shocking.

He said,

“Ras Kimono was a very humble and excellent person. He was more like a father to me than a friend or colleague. He was one musician that never had any issue with anybody in the music industry. We are really going to miss him.”

The singer’s solo debut album “Under Pressure”, led by the single “Rum-Bar Stylée”, was a big hit in the Nigerian music scene in 1989. He also released a string of hit albums, touring all over Africa, Europe and the United States, promoting his brand of reggae music.

His music was greatly influenced by the poverty, inequality and hardship he witnessed in his early life. He won several awards including the Nigeria Music Awards, Fame Music Awards and and before his death he was still performing to fan-base of all ages and and his music is still played on radio, throughout West Africa.