Artistes Pay Tribute As Nigeria's Singer, Sound Sultan Dies At 44
BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Artistes have continued to send outpouring messages as Nigeria's famous singer, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan is dead.
Born in November 27, 1976, he died at the age of 44.
Sultan's death was confirmed on Sunday morning through a terse statement by one of his family members, Kayode Fasasi.
He was said to have died after a tough battle with Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma.
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a group of related malignancies (cancers) that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas).
On May 12, 2021, it was reported that Sultan was in America, where he was receiving treatment in form of chemotherapy as he was diagnosed with throat cancer (Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma).
Late Sultan is survived by his wife, three children and siblings.
The entertainers that paid tribute were: Eedris Abdulkareem, Kate Henshaw, Femi Kuti, RMD, Weird Mc and among others.
Eedris Abdulkareem
“Verily, from Allah we came and to him we return. The world is not the resting place (Dunya), it’s the testing place. Rest on, my brother. May Allah grant you Aljanah Fridau Amin Yarabi.”
Kate Henshaw
“I’ve never called on you that you’ve said no to my request and vice versa".
"You show up every blessed time and on time too. I know Allah will receive you because you gave of yourself every single time, no question asked".
”My ancestor, we joke about how you never aged a day all these years".
"Rest on, my dear friend and brother.”
Femi Kuti
I’m shocked and sad at the passing of Sound Sultan (he is family) I pray our creator gives his family strength at this time. Rip Sound Sultan”.
RMD
“Did you know when you wished me happy birthday three days earlier than usual that you won’t have the strength to do it a day later?
”Words would never be enough, my brother. Love you Man”
Weird Mc
“This one hit real hard. I’m numb, but I choose to remember the joyful times and the continuous unveiling of your God-given artistry. I choose not to mourn because you’ve gone back home to our father in heaven".
Briefly
Sultan was a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, comedian and recording artist.
He was born in Jos, Plateau State as Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi in November 27, 1976.
Sultan was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern hip-hop music in Nigeria.
He was famous for using his music to speak against poverty, corruption, bad government and ills in Nigeria.
Sultan's career in show business started in the 1990s, when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions.
In 1991, he ventured into music, miming at school parties and writing his own lyrics. He attributed his early influence to his elder brother, Baba Dee who studied Theatre Arts.
He started learning how to play the guitar after his secondary school education and was in a band by 1999.
By 1999, he had won numerous local talent-hunt shows. He released his first single "Jagbajantis" in 2000, which was a hit in Nigeria. After independently releasing other singles and featuring in hit songs of other artists, he was signed by Kennis Music.
Under Kennis Music, he released four albums. By 2007, his contract with the label expired and he partnered with Baba Dee to start Naija Ninjas, a parent organisation for a record label, production outfit and clothing line.
Aside being a rapper, he had worked in different musical genres from R&B to Afrobeat, soul and Nigerian Fuji music. He had said that artists shouldn't be judged on the genre they perform, but that the important thing is the message conveyed in the music.
In 2009, Sound Sultan married his long-term girlfriend, Chichi Morah, now known as Farida Fasasi from the Igbo ethnic group.The couple has three children.
Under Naija Ninjas, he released Back From The Future (2010) and signed artists such as Karma Da Rapper, Young GreyC, Shawn and Blacka.
Sultan began a working relationship with Wyclef Jean when featured alongside 2face Idibia and Faze on "Proud to be African" from Wyclef's Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101 album. They had collaborated on two other projects: "King of My Country" (2009) and "People Bad" (2012).
In 2012, it was announced that Sultan was made a UN Ambassador for Peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career.
Also in 2015, Sultan released the rap single "Remember" after a long absence from the music scene.
After the fallout of the African Basketball League, Sultan joined forces with the organisers of the Continental Basketball League to become a team owner of Lagos City Stars (the 2017 champions) and a facilitator of the league entertainment.
Sultan featured on Honorebel's 2019 single "Bridal" with Joe El.
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