Rachael Ikumelo, the sister of U.K. based-Nigerian woman, Rebecca Ikumelo, who died during the stampede that occurred at a concert organized by singer, Asake, in Brixton O2 Academy on Thursday, 15 December, 2022, has called him out for using her image without contacting her family.
Asake had a concert at the same venue on Sunday, 20 August, 2023, and paid tribute to the two people who died during the stampede last year.
She tweeted: “What a sorry excuse of a “tribute” from @asakemusik. My sister lost her life at your show and you haven’t spoken to a single member of my family since. But you can hold another concert in London less than 9 months later and play her videos as a “tribute”?
“RIP Rebecca Ikumelo ❤️
“RIP to my sister Rebecca Ikumelo and also to Gaby Hutchinson.”
A fan of Asake, Tuchel of Calabar, however, replied Rachel saying the singer at the time released a statement in which he addressed the family.
He shared a statement released by the singer in the aftermath of the sad incident and tweeted, “Asake has spoken to your family. Were you not informed?”
READ ALSO: Asake: Second Victim Dies After Crowd Crush At London Concert
Rachael replied, “Hasn’t spoken to any of my family SINCE”
“Does he mean that he’s lying?” Tuchel of Calabar continued.
Another tweep, Adeboateng weighed in, saying: “This poor soul has gone through only God knows what kinda pain by losing her sister. I can only assume everyday is still a living nightmare & this is how you interact with her, questioning her integrity in that kinda tone? Have some shame. RIP Rebecca & thoughts with u Rachael 🙏🏿”
@scorpiosting also commented: “She said since, and if he has not spoken to the family since, then the disrespect shown by not asking her family if he can do a tribute and use their pictures etc. is enough to justify their anger.”
“i hope no one gives you comfort in your own time of immense grief. you will be alone with your vices to deal with you accordingly in the face of adversity,” angry Twitter user @werkroomtable replied Tuchel of Calabar.
Responding, Racheal stressed that the singer should have at least met with a family member in person, before releasing the tribute.
READ ALSO: Girlfriend Of Lady Who Died After Crowd Crush At Asake’s London Concert Pays Tribute To Her
“Are you actually ok? Asake has not spoken to my family or I since the initial messaged exchanged when my sister passed away.”
However, a tweep @osssy3 said: “You just want popularity asake made a tribute to your sister why does he need too communicate with your family🥱”
@parttimechaufer also tweeted: “Should he be calling your family always… give him some break. Whatever incident happened there wasn’t his fault but he still showed up to your family out of respect for the love of your sister (his fan) yet you sit out there tarnishing his image.”
@beatxunz asked what Rachael wants for Asake. “What are you looking for ? Clout? Money ?”
@MoshoodQudus2 while commenting, also wrote: “That’s it, you’re making it look like he never reached out, whereas he did.
“Sorry for your loss but he did reach out and that’s okay on his part.”