It is usually acknowledged that when one leaves this a part of existence to the good past, all that's left of 1 is the legacy and work one has executed. If there's anybody who has etched his identify within the minds of reggae music lovers, Ekeleke Elumelu higher often known as Ras Kimono would comfortably put on that crown.
Born on May 9, 1958, in Delta State, Ras Kimono made it recognized to anybody who cared to hear that he made music not simply because he wished to, however as a result of it was his means of bringing folks’s consideration to the sufferings of the widespread man and the ills of the society.
“I reside the place the folks reside so I can see the tribulations they're going via, the struggling and the humiliation, so we are able to put it into our music and expose it," he as soon as mentioned in one among his interviews.
Unfortunately, the worldwide music scene was thrown into mourning on Sunday when information broke that the musical voice of the folks had kicked the bucket. He had died after a transient sickness.
The late Ras Kimono began making music from his early days as a youngster. In this remembrance of the music maestro, A News Media compiled a record 5 songs that introduced him world recognition and made he grow to be the 'prophet of the lots'.
1. Natty Get Jail
When the late King of Afrobeat Fela Anikulapo Kuti obtained jailed, Ras Kimono obtained an inspiration to jot down a music for him. However, Fela secured bail earlier than Kimono might launch the music. For this motive, he modified the title of the music from 'Fela Getta jail' to 'Natty Get Jail'. Up on its launch, the music grew to become an instantaneous hit. He would later say in an interview with Premium Times: "When Fela was locked up, right, I wrote that song strictly for Fela (And he starts singing 'Fela Getta Jail, ey!, They must a give him bail ey!') but before I could release the tune and ask the company, he was bailed, so I reversed it to 'Natty Get Jail'. So, originally it was a song written for Fela to be bailed, you know."
2. Rhumba Stylee
In 1989, Ras Kimono, collectively together with his Massive Dread Reggae Band, dropped his debut album, 'Under Pressure'. 'Rhumba stylee' was a monitor off the album and it went on to grow to be a hit. To comply with up with the success of the music, a video was launched. The music was accompanied with a dance fashion, which, in line with Kimono, was a "dance step you know, back in the day there was something called the twist dance, you know, I tried to bring twist dance back and so that’s why I did that."
three. What Gwan?
In this music, Ras Kimono directed his anger on the authorities, asking them why the nation was going within the course it was. Part of the music's lyrics went "No Place to sleep, No place to eat. Whata gwan inna this a nation. Whata gwan inna this nation”. Ras Kimono as soon as puzzled in an interview that if he didn't communicate the reality, “who will do it for the people?”
four. Under Pressure
This music is one other one of many quite a few aware tracks of Ras Kimono. In this music, he was assisted by feminine back-up singers. The lyrics went thus: “Some are dying, some are weeping, some are wailing…..Under pressure we are under pressure.” In the music, he additionally talks in regards to the ills occurring around the globe, particularly Nigeria. Ras Kimono, whose love for the lots can by no means be questioned, sang in regards to the sufferings of his folks.
5. 'We No Wan'
On this sluggish reggae monitor, Ras Kimono talks in regards to the issues he doesn't need. In this music, he describes the system as “Shit stem”. For the Rastafarian, the system has executed no good and has solely promoted huge looting, segregation and hardship.
Kimono's message of reality introduced peace to the troubled thoughts of the lots. Now that he has gone to be with Jehovah, one can solely ask, like he as soon as requested in one among his interviews: "Who will do it for the people?"