Veteran singer, actor, and songwriter Olanrewaju Fasasi, also known as Sound Sultan, has passed to the great beyond. Sound Sultan suffered Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The 44-year-old singer, rapper, songwriter, actor, and comedian died on the 11th of July after a hard-fought battle with AITL family sources says; his demise came two months after reports of him undergoing chemotherapy in the United States of America emerged in the media.
He started his journey into the Nigerian entertainment industry in the 90s, Sultan hosted several shows to raise money for his studio sessions, and in 2000 he released his debut single “Jagbajantis.” The debut single instantly became a hit song in Nigeria.
In the earlier years of his career, Sound Sultan worked with Wyclef Jean, when he featured alongside Faze and 2face on the “proud to be African” from Wyclef’s Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101 album. Sound Sultan was also signed by Kennis Music after recording a couple of singles by himself. While in Kennis Music, Sound Sultan released four studio albums.
Sound Sultan was one of the pioneers of modern hip hop music in Nigeria, although he sang different genres from afrobeats to R&B, fuji, and soul music, his impact in the industry was far-reaching.
His songs were directed towards addressing social norms like poverty, corruption, and bad governance in society. “Mathematics” was one of his songs that used BODMAS to promote a new approach to governance in Africa, and in 2013, he released “Orobo” featuring Excel, where he promoted body positivity among plus-sized ladies.
In 2012, Sound Sultan was made a UN ambassador for peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career. He has also received numerous awards in the entertainment industry.
Sound Sultan holds a degree in Geography and regional planning from the Lagos state university, however, his interest in music started during his high school days when he started miming before he ventured into writing his lyrics. He began to play the guitar while he was in high school and later formed his band in 1999; he attributes his elder brother’s course of study (theatre arts) as a major influence on his music career.
Sound Sultan was not just in the entertainment industry but he was a basketball enthusiast to the core. Sound Sultan was a basketball player with the Dodan club. However, he did not take his love for the sport to a professional level, but when the opportunity came to take ownership of a basketball club, he spared no effort to invest; and in September 2014 the late Sultan became a co-owner of the Lagos Islander basketball team.
His influence in basketball grew beyond the borders of Nigeria and he was made a facilitator of the African Basketball league. In addition, he was invited to the first NBA African game as one of the special guests of the occasion. It is heartbreaking that his demise came shortly after the incredible victory of Nigeria’s men basketball team D’Tigers against the USA, a feat we are sure Sultan will celebrate even in his death.
D’tigers paid their last respect to the multi-talented Sultan by showing up in a white t-shirt with his face and name crested on the front and back of their outfit respectively in their game against Australia. Colleagues, fans, and friends took to social media to pay their last respect to the Jagbajantis master.
Sultan left behind his wife, Farida Fasasi, three children, parents, siblings, colleagues, and a huge fan base to mourn him. He has since been buried according to Islamic rights in the Masjid Al Aman cemetery in New Jersey in the United States. May his gentle soul and those of the faithful departed rest in perfect peace.
Author: Kangmwa Gofwen
Lagos Bureau Chief, Nigeria
gofwenjoy@gmail.com