Nigeria reggae legend, Ras Kimono, is dead

Nigerian reggae legend, Ukeleke Onwubya, popularly known as Ras Kimono, is dead.

The singer reportedly died on Sunday in a Lagos hospital after a brief illness at age 60.

.The Delta born singer was said to have concluded plans to travel to the U.S. last night before complaining of feeling funny and was rushed to Lagoon Hospital in Lagos where he died.

Kimono’s debut album ”Under Pressure” released  in 1989 with Dread Reggae Band was a massive hit with the single “Rum-Bar Stylée”.

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) also confirmed his death on their Instagram page:

COSON deeply regrets to announce the passing on of a frontline member of our board, great African and great musician, the reggae toaster, the great Ras Kimono Onwubuya.

In a recent chat with PUNCH, the reggae star said, he had been a vegetarian for over 37 years and neither smoked nor drunk alcohol.

He said, “I have never smoked and I don’t drink alcohol. I tell people I have been a vegetarian for 37 years. Even when my friends were having sex with two girls at the same time in those days, I didn’t join them. I have never done what these girls and boys call threesome despite being famous and I am sure there are other people who have never done that too.

“When people attribute recklessness to youthful exuberance, I get worried because I once passed through that stage too. I believe it is all about your upbringing. The fact that you are young doesn’t mean you should be wayward.”