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USA – The death has been announced of Mr. Olanrewaju Fasasi, fondly called Sound Sultan, the Nigerian singer, on Sunday, July 11, 2021.
It was reported on May 12, 2021 that Sound Sultan was somewhere in America where he is receiving treatment in form of chemotherapy as the musician was reportedly diagnosed with throat cancer.
According to a statement announced by his family and made available to the media, Sound Sultan died on Sunday, July 11, 2021 in the United States of America at the age of 44 as a result of the illness.
Olanrewaju Fasasi, fondly called Sound Sultan was born on November 27, 1976 in Jos, Plateau State.
He was a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, comedian, recording artiste, executive producer and basketball club co-owner. He was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern hip-hop music in Nigeria.
In 1991, he had taken an interest in music, miming at school parties and writing his own lyrics. He attributes his early influence to his elder brother Baba Dee who studied Theatre Arts, and received most of his early stage experience through Baba Dee.
Sound Sultan started learning how to play the guitar after his secondary school education and was in a band by 1999.
It was learnt that Sound Sultan’s career in show business started in the 1990s, when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions.
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 artistes, he was signed by Kennis Music (1997–2008).
Under Kennis Music, it was gathered Sound Sultan released four albums. By 2007, his contract with the label expired and he partnered with Baba Dee to start Naija Ninjas, a parent organization for a record label, production outfit and clothing line.
After starting as a rapper, he has worked in different musical genres from R&B to Afrobeat, soul and Nigerian Fuji music. He has said that artistes shouldn’t be judged on the genre in which they perform, that the important thing is the message conveyed in the music.
Under Naija Ninjas (2008–2021), Sound Sultan released “Back From The Future” (2010) and signed artists such as Karma Da Rapper, Young GreyC, Shawn and Blacka.
Sound 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 have collaborated on two other projects: “King of My Country” (2009) and “People Bad” (2012).
In 2012, it was announced that Sound Sultan was made a UN Ambassador for Peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career.
In 2015, Sound Sultan released the rap single “Remember” after a long absence from the music scene.
After the fallout of the African Basketball League, Sound Sultan joined forces with the organizers of the Continental Basketball League to become a team owner of Lagos City Stars (the 2017 champions) and a facilitator of the league entertainment.
Sound Sultan also featured on Honorebel’s 2019 single “Bridal” with Joe El.
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.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and God grant his family, teeming fans the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
