Aidonia, Wife Kimberly Megan Turn Out For His First Performance Since Son’s Death
On New Year’s Day, Dancehall star Aidonia, turned out for his first two performances since the passing of his son Khalif in December 2022, at the Sandz party and the Eastern Extravaganza show, in his native Kingston.
According to Aidonia, his decision to temporarily rest his troubles and come out to perform for his fans, was done at the urging of friends of his.
Nine-year-old King Khalif, who was Aidonia and his wife Kimberly’s only child, died on December 3 after a three-year battle with cancer.
At Eastern Extravaganza, which was held in Mountain View, Aidonia told patrons that his decision to come out in monochromatic red, was done as a tribute to his son, whose favorite color was red.
“Mi just deh hah a gwan hol a vibe enuh, caw watch yah nuh, yuh done know my situation enuh… one Khalif enuh. An a Khalif meck mi a wear full red right yah inna di night enuh. A mi son colour dis,” the Meadowbrook High School old boy, told the gathering.
“Yuh know seh wi deh yah a gwaan through some ting but d dawg dem a show mi seh: ‘di people dem love yuh enuh, suh yuh haffi come face di people enuh’. A suh mi jump out inna di night yah enuh; an mi know seh mi a wear full red enuh…,” he added.
He also received comforting words from his compatriot Jahshii.
“Mi jus forward pan di stage fi tell yuh dis king: only a fighter can lose somebaddy weh dem love, and forward out yah suh fi perform fi dem fans dem…,” Jahshii told Aidonia while hugging him.
During his performance at Sandz, Aidonia asked his wife Kimberly to take to the stage, where he complimented her publicly for her dedication to their son during his illness.
“Watch yah nuh; mi haffi meck yuh smile, caw yuh naw smile from wha day enuh. Mi haffi put a smile pon yuh face enuh, caw you a warrior enuh.. caw from 2019 people not even know weh wi a guh through. An a you a hol it dung pan di fort,” the Thunderous Clap artist said.
“Nuff time mi not even di deh; year an odd mi nuh si mi son an a you degh-deh wid him… suh mi haffi put a smile pan yuh face and mi want oonu big up she caw she a real girl,” he told the audience, then turned again to his wife and reiterated: “Yeh, yuh fi smile; yuh fi laugh.”
Following Khalif’s passing, numerous Dancehall artists had sent condolences to Aidonia, among them his mentor Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Macka Diamond, Shenseea, and Popcaan.
In December Aidonia and his family, while expressing gratitude for the outpouring of tributes following Khalif’s death, had, in a statement, asked for privacy during their period of bereavement.
The statement had also described Khalif, who had been diagnosed with cancer in August 2019, as “brave” and that he “took his final breath in his parents’ arms”.
It continued, “One of the most tragic events is the loss of a child and both Sheldon and his wife Kimberly Lawrence are grief-stricken at the loss of their only child.”
Aidonia’s first single was Many a Dem back in October 2003 on the Young Blood label.
His breakout single was Lolly which was produced by Skatta Burrell in 2004 on the Irish Dance riddim. Lolly was later included on VP Records’ annual Strictly The Best (Volume 33) compilation in 2005.
Aidonia, who also became a member of Bounty Killer’s Alliance, is known for hit songs such as Yeah Yeah, Caribbean Girls, Nuh Boring Gyal, and Dat Eazy. Some of his other hits include Chicken Head, Prayer, Inna Di Ghetto, Eagle, Ooku, Unknown Assailant, and Kingfish Ah Come.
Aidonia, 41, whose real name is Sheldon Lawrence, tied the knot with Kimberly Megan in September 2016, after a four-year engagement. Khalif was three years old at the time.