The legend died on June 10 2018 in Lagos.
The family members of the artiste told Saturday Tribune in a statement that they have met with the governors of the two states, who promised to be part of activities marking the burial.
According to Mr. Theophelus Ehizibue accompanied by other members of the family including Ras Kimono’s daughter, Esther, activities commence on August 17 with a wake keep in his Lagos residence followed by tributes/concerts by various groups including the Association of Musical Band Members, Copyright of Nigeria as well as a reggae jam in Lagos.
The body of the late musician is expected to be laid in state at Blue Roof, in Alausa Ikeja Lagos before moving to Asaba on Friday August 24th 2018 where Rasters worldwide will organise a procession from Giddy’s place to the Cenotap,h where another lying in state is expected to take place.
Ehizibue said the body of Ras Kimomo would be interred in his home town, Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area today.
Oseloke Augustine Onwubuya, popularly known as Ras Kimono, was born in Ekeleke Elumelu, Delta State, Nigeria. He started out his career as a student of Gbenoba Secondary School Agbor and later as a member of the Jastix Reggae Ital, alongside Majek Fashek, Amos McRoy Jegg and Black Rice Osagie. 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 such as “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 United States, promoting his brand of reggae music. He won several awards including the Nigeria Music Awards, Fame Music Awards and many more. In 2010, he was still performing to a loyal fan-base of all ages and his music is still played on radio, throughout West Africa.
Kimono served a long apprenticeship on the Nigerian music circuit, experimenting with a number of styles, before making his late 1980s 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”, this revealed both a Jamaican and native African influence (the latter particularly evident in his ‘Patois’ delivery.
His strong lyrics produced album sales of over 100,000 copies, and a fervent following for his advocacy of social change.
‘What’s Gwan’ proved even more successful, with the topics selected including legalisation of marijuana, and the need for Africans to intellectually repel colonialism and its arbitrary boundaries between tribes.
He died at the age of 60.
and then