Tears as Majek Fashek, Oritz Wiliki, others pay tribute to Ras Kimono

The final burial rites of the late Reggae legend, Ras Kimono, commenced on Wednesday with a tribute night held at the COSON house, Ikeja Lagos.

A sleek red carpet was on display at the tribute night, which turned out to be a concert of some sorts.

PREMIUM TIMES spotted the likes of Dede Mabiaku, Clarion Chukwuka, Faze, Essence, Alariwo of Africa, Kenny Saint Best, Sen. Florence Ita- Giwa and a host of other personalities at the occasion.

Ras Kimono’s daughter, Oge Kimono, who is also a reggae artiste took the audience down memory lane when she performance ‘Under pressure’ a song her late dad recorded in 1989.

Veteran Reggae maestros, Majek Fashek and Oritz Williki, also performed some of Kimono’s greatest hits to the delight of the audience.

As each artiste took turn to pay tributes to the late reggae icon, tears flowed endlessly especially when they recollected their last encounters with Kimono.

The Rasta community in Lagos was also on hand to pay tribute to one of theirs and they also took turns to pray for him during the lying in state.

During his tribute, Kimono’s manager, Daddy Faizer, also dispelled certain speculations that Kimono might have been battling a serious ailment resulting in his demise. He said that the singer underwent a medical test about three weeks prior and that his doctors had said he was in good shape.

He said, “His death remains a big shock to all of us. He will be surely missed.”

While fielding questions from the media at the venue,the General Manager of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chinedu Chukwuji, said, “Ras Kimono was not just a COSON member, he was a 100 per cent committed member, totally dedicated to the cause.As a hyper creative person, he fought against anything that will destroy COSON as he saw the organisation as a watershed development in our country and an important legacy for the Nigerian creative industry.

“No one should forget that until he passed on, Ras Kimono was a key member of the COSON Board and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our chairman. Chief Okoroji was one of the last persons Kimono spoke to on his sick bed, before he passed on.”

Meanwhile, the late musician’s body left the TOS Funeral Home, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday morning where it has been preserved since his June 10 death on Thursday morning.

It made its way to the late musician’s Magodo Estate residence in Lagos where another convoy comprising his friends and associates began the journey to his Onicha Olona ancestral home in the Aniocha North, Delta State.

While in Asaba, there will be a procession by the Rasta community on Friday and this will be followed by a brief lying-in-state between 1p.m. and 3 p.m. Then the wake-keep holds at his home town, Olona, Saturday, as well as a lying-in-state in his compound in Olona, followed by interment.

A the thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday.

The dreadlocked musician had reportedly slumped at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while waiting to board a flight to the United States, on the night of June 9.

According to sources, Kimono was immediately rushed to a hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, and then taken to another hospital on Lagos Island, where he later died on Sunday morning.

He was aged 60.

Born on May 9, 1958, Ras Kimono rose to fame in 1989 with his album, ‘Under pressure,’ which launched him to stardom.

It set the tone as he released more songs and started touring Africa, Europe and the U.S. He also won several awards, including the Nigerian Music Awards and Fame Music Awards.

The reggae star, who was known for hit songs like ‘We No Want’ and ‘“Rum-Bar Stylée” had reportedly concluded plans to travel to the United States before he passed on.

Born in Delta State, he celebrated his 60th birthday amidst fanfare in Lagos in May.

In October 2017, he dropped a new single after many years of hiatus from the music scene.