Nigeria loses Sound Sultan, ace musician, actor and rapper, to cancer
Rapper, songwriter, actor and movie producer Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan’, who died on July 10, 2021.
What you need to know:
- The 44-year-old died of throat cancer on Saturday, his family announced Sunday in a statement signed by one of his siblings, Kayode Fasasi.
Abuja,
Nigerians are mourning popular rapper, songwriter, actor and movie producer Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan’.
The 44-year-old died of throat cancer on Saturday, his family announced Sunday in a statement signed by one of his siblings, Kayode Fasasi.
Sound Sultan, who became a delight for Nigerians early in 2000 with his debut ‘Jagbajantis’, died after a “hard-fought battle with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma”, the family said.
He is survived by a wife and three children.
Besides ‘Jagbajantis’, he also released singles and featured in hit songs by other artistes. Under Kennis Music where he released four of his total seven albums.
He also produced and acted in the successful comedy movie ‘Head Gone’ in 2014 and in 2018 produced the stage musical ‘Jungle Story’.
He also played the role of Rotimi, a lawyer representing his brother, Landlord, in the popular comedy movie, Flatmates, which airs on DStv.
How it all began
Sound Sultan's career in show business began in the 1990s, when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions.
He took an interest in music in 1991, miming at school parties and writing his own lyrics. He started learning how to play the guitar after his secondary school education and was in a band by 1999.
He graduated from Lagos State University with a degree in Geography and Regional Planning in 1999. By that year, he had won numerous local talent-hunt shows.
He released his first single "Jagbajantis" in 2000, which was a hit in Nigeria, and later formed a working relationship with Haitian musician, actor and rapper Wyclef Jean, when he featured alongside 2face Idibia and Faze on "Proud to be African".
In 2012, it was announced that Sound Sultan had been appointed UN Ambassador for Peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career.
After the fallout in the African Basketball League, he joined forces with organisers of the Continental Basketball League to become owner of Lagos City Stars, the 2017 champions.
Condolence messages
Among those who sent condolence messages following Sound Sultan’s death was 60-year-old Nollywood actor, Richard Mofedamijo.
“Did you know when you wished me ‘happy birthday’ three days earlier than usual that you [wouldn’t] have the strength to do it a day later? Love you ...” he said.
Shortly before his death, the singer had urged Nigerians to celebrate people while they are alive.
Actress Kate Henshaw, on her Instagram page, said she and the musician always supported each other.
“You show up every blessed time and on time too! I know Allah will receive you because you gave up yourself every single time, no questions asked,” she said.
“We joked about how you never aged a day all these years. Rest on, my dear friend and brother.”
Rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, 45, known professionally as Ruggedman, said: “Words escape me. This hurts.”
