Reggae music signposts anomalies in society – Kimono

A popular reggae musician, Ras Kimono, on Friday said that reggae music was used as a signpost to the anomalies in the society.

“Reggae music preaches change to the society and my songs are filled with such messages,” said the musician, whose names are Ukeleke Umwubuya.
Ras Kimono told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that reggae music was the most viable vehicle through which the prevailing problems in the society could be highlighted.
He added: “Yes, I am a reggae artiste.
“It is not just about singing and dancing.
“It is about preaching to the society to get things done in the right way for the betterment of the society.
“There must be a reason for passing out messages.
“In other words, they are gospel and I am preaching one way or the other for our society to change.
“I am preaching reality not fiction or tales by moonlight.
“I sing about the ills of the society for them to be corrected.”
Kimono also told NAN that his music could be likened to the spreading of good news through his sound tracks.
He added: “It is amazing to read and hear about the theft of huge sums of money in this country.
“The way and manner the Nigerian politicians are going about issues show that they don’t have the interest of the masses at heart; we have to talk about them.
“I am trying to fight against oppression in the society by bringing out what we are not getting right as a society.
“I am the mouth piece of the society.
“The masses are suffering and we all cannot keep quiet.”
Kimono said that when he started music, he never saw it as a means of generating money but “I just wanted it to be a reality change”.
He said there was no competition about playing reggae music.
He said some musicians are running away from reggae because they won’t make money.
“Youths also do not play reggae because reggae is talking about the ills of the society,” he added.
He, however, said that “money comes and it goes but spreading my music around the globe is my priority”.
Kimono told NAN that he was inspired by the happenings around him and he sang about them.
“That is what reggae music is about,” he said.
He said that he was promoting his recent album entitled: “Matter of time” with nine track songs, which is all reggae.
Some of the titles are: “Wicked politician”, “Veteran”, “Matter of time” and “Good to be conscious”.