Popular Nigerian singer and songwriter, Olanrewaju Abdulganiyu Fasasi, also known as Sound Sultan, has died of throat cancer.
TrackNews Online earlier reported that a statement on Sunday signed by his brother, Kayode Fasasi, on behalf of the family said that the singer died at the age of 44.
Early life
Sound Sultan, whose real name is Olanrewaju Fasasi was born on November 27, 1976, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
The singer was born to Fasasi Adeyinka Ajarat (Mother) and Fasasi Liadi Alarape (Father), who are also parents to Sultan’s five siblings, including Baba Dee who is a graduate of Theatre Arts.
The fourth child of his parents, Sound Sultan had his elementary education at Stepping Stone Nursery and Primary from 1981 to 1987, after which he enrolled at Federal Government College Ogbomosho in 1988 for his secondary school education and graduated in 1993.
The entertainer is a graduate of Lagos State University, from where he obtained a degree in Geography and Regional Planning; that was in 1999.
Music career
With a career spanning over two decades, Sultan stands out as one African singer who pours out his thought and feeling through several genres and styles of music. He is well-versed in Afrobeat, reggae, hip-hop, and R&B.
Sultan began showing interest in music in the year 1991 while he was still in secondary school. At the time, he used to write his own lyrics and also mime at school parties.
According to the singer, his elder brother Baba Dee was the first person who strengthened his love for music. From writing his own lyrics, Sultan began to take lessons on the guitar, after which he began to host shows in order to raise money for his musical career.
By 1999, Sound had won several local talent hunt shows which helped him to release his debut single titled “Jagbajantis” in the year 2000.
Following the success of the single, the singer went on to release other hit songs and also collaborated with some of his label mates.
Sultan was signed to the record label Kennis Music at the time. He worked with the label until 2007 when his contract with Kennis expired, having released four albums under the label.
The singer later started his own record label called Naija Ninjas with his brother Baba Dee. It was at this point that he began to explore other genres of music such as Soul, R&B, Fuji, and Afrobeat.
As time progressed, the recording label began to grow from one level of success to another. Fast-rising singers like Karma Da Rapper, Shawn, Young GreyC, and Blacka are some of the artists that have worked with Naija Ninjas.
Sultan’s years in the music industry have seen him work with several local and international stars. The singer is friends with Haitian rapper/actor Nel Ust Wyclef Jean.
Sultan was featured alongside Nigerian singers Faze and 2face Idibia in Wyclef’s song “Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101”, after which he collaborated with the international star on two other songs titled: “People Bad” (2012) and “King of My Country” (2009).
Sound Sultan has seven successful albums to his name. His latest album was released in 2016, a year after he made a major comeback after staying away from the music scene for a long time.
Movie career
Sound Sultan scored his major acting role in 2014 in the universally acclaimed comedy movie, “Head Gone”.
Produced by Sound Sultan and directed by Dare Fasasi, the comedy film featured Nigerian entertainments elites such as Akpororo, Tuface Idibia, Basketmouth, Pappy Luwe, Basorge Tariah, among others.
The Afrobeat maestro has been married to Chichi Morah, who later changed her name to Farida Fasasi after she converted to Islam.
The couple tied the knot on October 1, 2009, and has three children (two sons and one daughter) together.
Sound Sultan also owns a basketball team called Lagos City Stars, and was made a UN Ambassador for Peace in 2012 in honor of his exemplary lifestyle and impressive career.
