Legendary reggae artiste, Ras Kimono, who died at the age of 60 on Sunday, June 10, will be buried on August 25, his family has announced.
Ras Kimono was said to have taken ill on his way to the US on Saturday, June 9 and friends rushed him to a hospital in Ikeja from where he was transferred to Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi.
He was pronounced dead shortly after.
A statement issued by the family: “We wish to inform the general public that the Burial Ceremony for late Ras Kimono has been slated for the 25th day of August 2018.
“The program of the events leading to the funeral will be made available in due course.
“We wish to thank everyone who has individually and collectively supported us during these trying times and we pray the Almighty God to guide and protect us all.”
Born Ekeleke Onwubuya, Kimono started out his career, firstly as a student of Gbenoba Secondary School, Agbor in Delta State and later as a member of the legendary Jastix Reggae Ital alongside Majek Fashek, Amos McRoy Jegg and Black Rice Osagie.
His music, tagged rub-a-dub, 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 like ‘Under pressure’, ‘Rasta Get Jail’ and the massive hit ‘Rhumba style’.
He later released a string of hit albums, touring all over Africa, Europe and the USA promoting his brand of reggae music.
