Senate Chief Whip Mourns Sound Sultan

Late Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan.

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, has lamented the passing of popular singer and recording artist, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan.

Kalu, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, described Fasasi as one of the best in Nigeria’s entertainment industry and urged youths to use their talents and skills to add value to society.

The former governor of Abia, stressed the need to properly harness the country’s entertainment industry to create jobs and wealth for Nigerians.

According to Kalu, the late artist gave his best to the entertainment industry beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“I join stakeholders in the entertainment industry in mourning the demise of the renowned rapper and sound artist, Olanrewaju Fasasi (Sound Sultan).

“The deceased was a talented song writer, recording artist, rapper, comedian and actor.

“He was blessed with various skills.

“The deceased carved a niche for himself in the music industry as a talented artist.

“His demise is a huge loss to the entertainment industry and Nigeria in general,’’ he said.

Kalu prayed for the repose of the soul of Fasasi who died at the age of 44.

According to Wikipedia, Sound Sultan (born Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi; November 27, 1976 – July 11, 2021)[1] was a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, comedian, and recording artist. He was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria. He was notable for using his music to speak against poverty, corruption and bad government and ills in Nigeria.

Early life

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.[citation needed] He started learning how to play the guitar after his secondary school education and was in a band by 1999.

Career

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 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 organization for a record label, production outfit and clothing line.[4] 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 artists shouldn’t be judged on the genre in which they perform, that the important thing is the message conveyed in the music.[citation needed]

Under Naija Ninjas, he released Back From The Future (2010) and signed artists such as Karma Da Rapper, Young GreyC, Shawn and Blacka.[citation needed]

Sound Sultan began a working relationship with Wyclef Jean when he 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 featured on Honorebel’s 2019 single “Bridal” with Joe El.

Personal life and death

In 2009, Sound Sultan married his long-term girlfriend Chichi Morah, now known as Farida Fasasi from the Igbo ethnic group.[10] The couple has three children.

On May 12, 2021, It was reported that Sound Sultan was somewhere in America where he was receiving treatment in form of chemotherapy as the musician was reportedly diagnosed with throat cancer (Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma).