Rastafarians in Ebonyi State have concluded plans to hold candle light procession for departed Nigerian Reggae icon, Ekeleke Onwubuya, popularly known
Rastafarians in Ebonyi State have concluded plans to hold candle light procession for departed Nigerian Reggae icon, Ekeleke Onwubuya, popularly known as Ras Kimono who died on Sunday at the Lagos Lagoon hospital of an undisclosed ailment at the age of 60. Rastafarianism, is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. Scholars of religion and related fields have classified it as both a new religious movement and a social movement.
The reggae artists said that the procession was to honour Kimono because of his great contributions to the development of the brand of music in the country. According to James Okoh, alias Rasta Omege, who said he would coordinate the activities to ensure that Kimono was given a befitting tribute by Rastafarians in the state, “We would immediately convene a meeting to deliberate on ways to honour our departed father and further propagate the reggae gospel in the state and the country. We would also organise candle light procession, hold road-shows, music concerts, Rastafarian-night, among other activities, to give Ras Kimono a befitting farewell.”
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. Together with his Massive Dread Reggae Band, Kimono released his debut album, ‘Under Pressure’, in 1989. Accompanied by the popular single, “Rum-Bar Stylee.” 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. He won several awards including the Nigeria Music Awards, Fame Music Awards and many more.
