‘King of reggae’, ‘there’ll be none like him’, ‘forever a legend’ — tributes pour in for Ras Kimono

Tributes have been pouring in for Okeleke Elumelu, Nigerian musician better known as Ras Kimono, who passed away in the early hours on Sunday.

Ras Kimono died at a hospital in Lagos.

Kimono was a force in the Nigerian music industry in the late 80s and 90s with his conscious reggae brand of music.

Since the shocking news of his demise at 60, politicians, celebrities and fans across Nigeria have been paying their respects on social media.

Here are some tributes posted on Facebook and Twitter:

Death why! Why! My brother and my friend. Legend Ras Kimono rest in Peace. What a black day! What an unceremonious exit. I love you and will miss you. Sad sad sad.

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) June 10, 2018

Ras Kimono and myself in my village(Aiyetoro Gbede) on 31st December 2017. Legend is gone. What a dark day. RIP my brother and reliable friend pic.twitter.com/rjWBv3WRI4

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) June 10, 2018

RIP RAS VERY GENTLE GIANT .LEGEND AND INSPIRATION FOREVER

— @soundsultan (@Soundsultan) June 10, 2018

RIP to Music legend Ras Kimono. 😫 pic.twitter.com/cI9DzsUgKa

— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz) June 10, 2018

You made music that touched the soul. R.I.P Ras Kimono pic.twitter.com/mfSAk0rq6P

— FAVOUR ONYEOZIRI (GCFR) (@Rouvafe) June 10, 2018

Rest well Ras Kimono, God bless ur soul and thank you for all the beautiful music yiu created.

— DJ Neptune #ShawaShawa (@deejayneptune) June 10, 2018

Sad to hear about the death of Ras Kimono. A legend and one who made our childhood so much fun. May his soul Rest In Peace.

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) June 10, 2018

If only the dead sings, rest on Ras Kimono

— Official_handsomeMusefiu 💯 (@lord_tmaan) June 10, 2018

Aww….if you grew up in 1990s Nigeria, you knew Ras Kimono.

This was when there was no real money in Naija music. Just folk singing for the love of it.

No flash, no pretence, no calculated BS, just guys like Ras Kimono spewing their hearts out to melodies. #RiPRasKimono https://t.co/rDqm9pw9MG

— Remi Adekoya (@RemiAdekoya1) June 10, 2018

I feel so sad hearing about the death of reggae legend, Ras Kimono. He redefined the face of music and there will be none like him. He will be dearly missed.

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) June 10, 2018

Ras Kimono pioneered campaign against abuse of detainees in #Nigeria
“Dread get jail
U must give him bail”#JahBless pic.twitter.com/KdEKNLYrfN

— Chidi Odinkalu (@ChidiOdinkalu) June 10, 2018

Ras Kimono will forever be a legend. He touched souls with his social conscious reggae songs. Despite being a Rastafarian, you will never see him with alcohol or doing drugs.

Rest inna peace legend. pic.twitter.com/Q3hUJJHQwR

— Iyá Lájè Of Lagos (@newscantell) June 10, 2018

RIP Ras Kimono….one of the most memorable figured from my childhood

— Imoh Umoren (@ImohUmoren) June 10, 2018

Your music will reign forever.

Another iconic musician gone.

R.I.P Ras Kimono pic.twitter.com/WGzJ0tFd23

— ThePlugLoaded.com (@victorfreze) June 10, 2018

R.I.P 🇳🇬 Reggae Icon

Ras Kimono passed away but his great songs leaves behind .🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/gIfJjxQq8O

— Michael (@mickiebrownkie) June 10, 2018

RIP to Ras Kimono😢 Mans made our childhood & issa Legend in the Nigerian Music Industry🙏

— KinG NomSo👑 (@ani_nomso) June 10, 2018

Everyone is playing Ras Kimono’s songs everywhere & anywhere i turn my head today,, na wa oh!!! Lets also remember to celebrate a person when he or she is still alive!! RIP!!!

— HΞCTOR ORÈJUÈLÀ ® 🇳🇬 (@hecxtreme) June 10, 2018

My O My!! What me hear? Rasterman Ras Kimono gone😢😢😢😢😢😢 He man made our childhood fun, he sang reggae jamz that touch da soul. Oh no! Death why? Why? Tearrrrrssss!!! pic.twitter.com/fm3RrwxABN

— MR SMART (@Smartnoys) June 10, 2018

Rest in peace Ras Kimono… You were a legend….

— The Godfather (@Ayourb) June 10, 2018

Rest in peace Ras Kimono.

Met him first in 2015, and over time, just discovered that all he wanted was for reggae to go mainstream again.

Legend, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/mwA4qti7oR

— No Ketchup Podcast (@joeyakan) June 10, 2018