Reggae Legend, Ras Kimono Dies At 60

Few weeks after he celebrated his 60th birthday, Nigeria’s Reggae Music legend, Ras Kimono is dead. 

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the music star died Sunday morning at Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, after he slumped on Saturday night.

Before his death, he was said to have planned a medical trip to the US on Saturday night.

An advocate of social change, Kimono was known for his patois styled music.

Born Ukeleke Onwubya, Ras Kimono served a long apprenticeship on the Nigerian music circuit, experimenting with a number of styles, before making his late 80s breakthrough as a reggae singer.

In 1989, he and his band group, Massive Dread Reggae Band, released an album titled Under Pressure.

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

Born in Delta State, Nigeria, he went to  Gbenoba Secondary School, Agbor and later joined the legendary Jastix Reggae group, alongside Majek Fashek, Amos McRoy Jegg and Black Rice Osagie.

Ras Kimono on his 60th birthday

He once revealed that he is a vegetarian and has never indulged in any affair that went against his upbringing including smoking and drinking.

The late reggae music icon won several awards including the Nigeria Music Awards and Fame Music Awards among others.