It is not uncommon to find artistes and other entertainers who indulge in smoking, drinking and sharing romantic ties with different women.
But Reggae musician, Ras Kimono, has said that he has led a life devoid of smoking, drinking and womanising.
He said, “I live life moderately; I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I don’t womanise. I don’t show off the things God blessed me with because I am a Rastafarian. I am not one of these artistes that live more than their means. I believe in simple living and I didn’t change my friends when I became popular. You cannot compare me with the new generation of musicians because they are more after materialism than realism.”
Asked how he copes with the fact that his wife is based in America, he admitted that he had a girlfriend and that his wife knew too.
He stated, “Man shall not live by bread alone, they say. I can’t be in Nigeria and she is in America, and there is no other woman in my life! We went there together, but I got tired of the place and I came back home. But she decided to stay behind with my kids.”
If Ras Kimono passes on today, he would not question God. According to him, he has signed a contract with God to see his 95th birthday anniversary.
“If God gives me more than that, I would appreciate it. But if I die today, I believe I have lived a very good life,” he said.
Reflecting on developments in the music industry, Kimono observed that since there were no good recording companies anymore, things were going down the drain.
“Forget about what we see now.
Everyone is making money for themselves, but there are no proper structures. Youths are busy buying the best cars and houses, but what happens tomorrow? What happens to the coming generations? People are running into this industry for money, women and fame. People have forgotten about ethics; they don’t even want to learn at all.”
“Reggae music talks more about current issues, but the youth are afraid because it is hot and they cannot handle the pressure. Reggae is like Afrobeat, if you play it like the originator did. Afrobeat deals with the ills of the society, but the youth want money; they don’t want to die.”
While it appears his best days on the music scene are over, Ras Kimono maintained that music was still the only thing paying his bills. “As we speak, I don’t have other businesses I do but music. If I am living today, I am living because of music.
“The attention I get from people is even bigger than when I was releasing music. Some of these youths were not even born when I left Nigeria. So, the attention I get from the society makes me happy and gives me the belief that I am still relevant.”
