Ras Ebby Uncle - Legendary Ras Kimono finally laid to rest in Delta, see photos from his burial ceremony

By Ras Ebby Onyemaechi


Late Reggae icon, Ras Kimono was finally laid to rest today in his hometown, Onicha-Olona, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The burial ceremony of the 60-year-old singer who died on June 10, 2018, was attended by a crowd of politicians, entertainers, friends and reggae lovers. Here are photos from his burial ceremony in Delta State;

Born Ukeleke Elumelu Onwubuya, Ras Kimono alongside his Massive Dread Band came into prominence following the release of his debut album, Under Pressure under the label, Premier Music in 1989.

Prior to this, Ras Kimono who was born in Delta State was already known in music circles as he was an ever present face at bars and clubs performing on a weekly basis as a member of the band, The Jastiz that had other talented acts like Amos McRoy Jegg, Black Rice Osagie and Majek Fashek.

The album which had breakout singles like Under Pressure, Natty Get Jail, Kill Apartheid, Gimme Likkle Sugar, a song that touched on police brutality and bad governance with the massive hit single, Rhumba Style were to however establish his presence on the scene and make him a household name.

The success of the album opened Ras Kimono to a global audience, as this was a time when Reggae music was the leading genre in the country and he was able to tour across Africa, Europe and the United States, winning numerous awards along the way. For Ras Kimono, he was more than just an artist as through his music, which was greatly influenced by the hardship and inequality he witnessed, he became a voice for the people.

While Rhumba Style was entertaining and one for the dance-floor, Under Pressure was his reflective state addressing situation within the polity under the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Ras Kimono was also one of the very first Nigerian artistes that could properly infuse the Jamaican Patois in his delivery, standing him out from the crowd of other Reggae acts at the time. Ras Kimono was to later release three other successful albums in We No Wan in 1989, What’s Gwan and Rub A Dub in 1990 and had concluded works on a 4 track EP late last year.