Ara: Ras Kimono’s death hit me badly — we were planning a collaboration

Aralola Olumuyiwa, a Nigerian drummer, on Monday said she was planning a musical collaboration with the late Ras Kimono before his death.

She told NAN that the collaboration would have included Majek Fashek and other reggae musicians.

Aralola, popularly called Ara on stage, said this while expressing her shock over the death of the reggae Rastaman.

“I was still planning a collaboration with Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek and other reggae musicians.

“When I discussed it with him, he told me to wait for him to return from his trip to the United States of America but he never went.

“His death hits me badly because he was such a humble and kindhearted fellow. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” she said.

She said the repercussion of procrastination had now dawned on her as she would never be able to perform alongside Ras Kimono.

Ara said she recently met Ras Kimono at Sir Shina Peter’s 60th birthday bash and he was looking good.

“I am completely down and surprised because I saw him last week looking healthy only to wake up from my siesta yesterday to hear of his death,” she said.

“My condolences to the family and pray that God fills that huge gap his death had created for them and for us in the music industry.”

Okeleke Elumelu, popularly known as Ras Kimono, died aged 60 after a brief illness.