…as Femi Kuti, 2Baba, Funke Akindele, others give tributes to late singer
It’s no longer news that Sound Sultan is dead. The amazing rapper, singer, actor, and comedian was taken away by death after battling with cancer.
Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi gave up the ghost on the 11th of July 2021, and was buried the same day, according to the Muslim rites.
The late singer was born in Jos, Plateau State and grew up with five siblings. He was one of the artistes who popularised the hip-hop genre in Nigeria and is considered as one of its pacesetters.
At a time when the genre was struggling to gain traction in the country, Sound Sultan was one of the few who bravely stuck to it, releasing tracks like Jagbajantis and Mathematics.
Sound Sultan started his own show business in order to raise money for studio sessions, as his music career officially started in 1996.
The amazing singer was part of a musical band in 1999 after learning how to play the guitar, following the completion of his secondary school education.
However, in 2012, he became a UN Ambassador of Peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career, and he worked with the like of Haitian American-based rapper, Wyclef Jean, and featured alongside 2face (now 2Baba) and Faze on Jean’s song titled, “Proud to be African”.
The father of three was a devout Muslim who was vocal about his religious beliefs, and he did not smoke or drink.
He bagged a degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the Lagos State University in 1999.
With his demise, his family, colleagues, friends, and fans will miss him a lot.
However, there are some indelible prints he had left behind in terms of entertainment and philosophies that he used in his music to preach during his lifetime.
Meanwhile, these are some of the dreams or things the Jagbajantis crooner would have loved to achieve if he had not been taken away at an early age. Among these are: Making sure Nigeria is great: he tried to correct societal ills, he talked about the state of the nation and wished our government can do better.
Also, some of his colleagues and friends have taken to the social media to mourn the legend and their dear friend. Sound Sultan is a great personality and a lot of people have good things to say about him.
Nollywood actress, Funke ‘Jenifa’ Akindele stated in Yoruba “Odun mi O!! Odun mi!!, Lanre ha!! Eleyi dun mi!! Sun re Ore mi. Bi mo se soju e, ma se eyin re. Inu mi baje!!Kai! Oluws a duro ti iyawo ati awon omo e!! Oluwa a pa gbogbo asise e re!! (My dearly beloved one, why? I’m greatly saddened by your exit. May the Lord be with your wife and children, and also obliterate your shortcomings)
The Afro-beat maestro, Femi Kuti, also shared: “I am shocked and very SAD reading this news of the passing of Sound Sultan (HE IS FAMILY).
“I pray our Creator to give his family strength at this time.”
Jaywon too wrote: “This right here hurts different! You were the first person to support me as an artist, gave me your platform for free at a point when I was given up and homeless in Festac Lagos. Boss @soundsultan, no this hurts really different.
“It was still, you and your elder brother I ran to before I sign my record contract with Kennis Music and you told me I need it now but you are not sure I will later.
“Egbon mi this is sad, you do not drink or smoke.
“Till today I always feel funny drinking in front of you baba mi, ah, I’m scared and shaking right now.
“God why!!! I don’t even know what I’m writing again RIP BIG Brother SOUND SULTAN.”
2baba, in pen elegy, wrote: “Rest in glory my brother @soundsultan. You will live forever in our hearts. Allah gives…
Bigbirdkuti (Seun Kuti):” Rest in peace big King. Truly one of the best humans I ever met. What a man! I’ll miss you OG. Your talent is still unmatched. My family and I offer our deepest condolences to your lovely family”.
OAP toolzo, “I am so confused… We spoke not too long ago you said you were getting better and the doctors with how you were coping, This isn’t it. My heart is with your wife and kids💔💔”
LegendsNeverDie
SoundSultan
Lawmaker Akin Alabi wrote: “The news of the death of Sound Sultan shocked my whole being. Great all-around guy. Too early to leave this earth. A very bad day.”
TV host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu wrote: “This is so so heartbreaking. Literally the nicest human being you’ll ever meet. Goodness me.”
Rapper Weird MC wrote: “This one hit real harddddddddd. I’m numb but I choose to remember the joyful times, the continuous unveiling of your God given artistry.
In a statement released by the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA), the President and executive producer, Mike Dada, noted, “It is said that the circle of life is completed in death, but it says nothing about the grief that comes with the finality of it. Sound Sultan was a pioneer of contemporary African music and we are completely devastated at this loss”
“Beyond his roles as a brilliant performer and entertainer, Sound Sultan was dedicated to collaborations among African artists to promote African entertainment and unity as this was reflected in the monumental role he played as the coordinator for the AFRIMA Festival Studio; where the artists from around the continent would come to collaborate during the AFRIMA weekend in 2017 and 2018’’.
“The late singer’s last appeal before death, he urged Nigerians to celebrate people while they were alive.
“This was his last appeal on his Instagram before he died on Sunday of cancer.
“He said it was necessary to give accolades to people while they were alive instead of after death.
“Sound Sultan appeal was in tune with Patoranking’s latest single: “Celebrate Me”, which also called on people to give all necessary accolades whilst people were still alive and not after death.
“May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace”