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Sound Sultan 1976-2021: 7 Things To Know About The Late Singer And Activist

Sound Sultan

Yesterday, Sunday, July 11, 2021, the Nigerian entertainment industry lost an icon as singer, songwriter, actor, and activist, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan, breathe his last. This has thrown the country, especially fans and colleagues of the late singer into a sorrowful state.

Also a recording artist, the Jagbajantis singer died at the age of 44 in the United States and will be remembered for pioneering the birth of the Nigerian music industry as it is today and for also playing his part in the development of modern hip hop music in the country.

As an activist, he called out societal ills through his music. He wrote songs on issues like bad governance, corruption, poverty, inequality, etc.

It has been known that the singer has battled Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma also known as throat cancer (a rare kind of cancer) for a while and had traveled to the United States in May 2021 for chemotherapy treatment where he eventually died. He was buried the same day at the Masjid Al Aman Cemetery, in New Jersey according to Islamic rites.

A statement from the family signed by one Dr. Kayode Fasasi read:

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of multitalented veteran singer, rapper, songwriter Olanrewaju Fasasi aka Sound sultan. He passed away at the age of 44 following a hard-fought battle with Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.”

Tributes have continued to pour in from all and sundry in celebration of his life and legacy which saw him contribute immensely to the growth of the Nigerian music industry.

Sound Sultan

Here are 5 things you should know about the late Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi popularly known as Sound Sultan.

1. Brief Biography

Born in Jos, Plateau State on the 27th of November 1976 as Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi, the late songwriter, Sound Sultan was the fourth of six children born to his parents – Liadi Alarape Fasasi and Adeyinka Ajarat Fasasi. He attended Stepping Stone Nursery and Primary School in Lagos for his primary education before proceeding to the Federal Government College, Ogbomoso in Oyo state to complete his basic education. The Remember hitmaker would later graduate from the Lagos State University in 1999 with a degree in Geography and Regional Planning.

2. Music Career

Born in Jos, which was the go-to town for raw musical talents in the 1990s, Sound Sultan picked up interest in music also buoyed by the fact that his elder brother, Dare Fasasi, popularly known as Baba Dee, was already into music. He started penning down his own lyrics which he would sing at school events while in primary school. He learned to play the guitar with the help of his brother and continued developing his musical talents while participating in local musical talent hunt shows (most of which he won).

Sound Sultan was signed up by Kennis Music in 1997 and worked with the label until 2008 when he and his brother, Baba Dee floated their own record label dubbed ‘Naija Ninja Entertainment Production Company’. Under Kennis Music, Sound Sultan released four albums including Kpseeeeeeew (2001), Textbook (2004), and Naija 007 (2007). He signed several artists under his record label including Young GreyC, Blacka, Karma Da Rapper, and Shawn. He also released the album Back From The Future with his label in 2010.

3. Work With International Artists

Beyond the Nigerian shores, Sound Sultan was one of the Nigerian artists who have worked with globally acclaimed artists like Sarkodie, JoeEl, Honorebel, and Wyclef Jean, among others. Perhaps, it is his work with Haitian/American rapper, Wyclef Jean, that stands out. Together, they released a body of work including King of My Country, People Bad, Proud to be African. The latter also featured other top Nigerian music greats such as Faze and Tuface Idibia.

4. Acting Career

Sound Sultan was a multi-talented entertainer. He was not only a musician, he was also an actor who had a couple of movie credits to his name. In 2014, he, alongside others stars such as 2baba, Basketmouth, Akpororo among others starred in the movie titled Head Gone. The comedy movie which was produced by the late singer and directed by his brother, Baba Dee, was universally acclaimed. Others movies the late star appeared in include Campus Queen (2004) and The Washerman (2018).

5. Business Endeavor

Asides from music and entertainment, Sound Sultan had an eye for business. He was the owner of the Nigerian basketball team, Lagos City Stars who play in the Continental Basketball League. They were crowned the champions of the 2017 basketball league season. He was also a facilitator of the league entertainment.

6. Awards And Recognitions

Sound Sultan was nominated for, and equally received several awards in his line of work including the 2012 Headies Award for Album of the Year with Back From The Future. The same year, he was made a United Nations (UN) Ambassador for Peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career. In 2018, he received the City People Music Special Recognition Award.

7. Marriage and Children

Before his death, Sound Sultan was married to the beautiful Chichi Morah, his long-term girlfriend in 2009. Although she now goes by the name Farida Fasasi after she converted to Islam. The union was blessed with three children.

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Entertainment

Housemates see each other naked almost every day – BBN’s Adekunle

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Adekunle Olapade has added his voice to the controversy surrounding intimate videos from the ongoing edition of the reality show. Tagged the 10 over 10 season, intimate videos of housemates on the Season 10 of the BBNaija show have been making the rounds online, and they have drawn criticism from a section of fans of the show.

Some of the intimate videos have involved housemates Koyin and Isabella, Jason Jae and Sultana, as well as evicted Kayikumi and Isabella.

However, addressing critics of the intimate videos during a podcast interview with Pulse, Adekunle described them as ‘hypocrites’ as he insisted that it is perfectly okay for two consenting adults to get intimate with each other if they so decide.

Drawing on his experience as a former housemate on the show, Adekunle noted that it is commonplace for housemates to see each other naked.

He therefore explained that it shouldn’t surprise anyone if two adults of opposite genders who have seen each other naked become sexually attracted to each other.

Adekunle said, “A lot of people who watch the Big Brother Naija reality show are very hypocritical. Secondly, there is actually nothing wrong with two people who like each other deciding to get intimate.

“All the housemates see each other naked, in case you don’t know. So, you cannot be in a house with someone you see without clothes almost every day and not be attracted to that person. It won’t work.”

Adekunle has appeared on the BBNaija show twice: first, in 2022, on the BBNaija ‘Level Up’ season, and then again as a housemate on the ‘All Stars’ season one year later.

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Entertainment

Phyna’s sister passes away after a truck accident

Ruth’s death comes following her involvement in an accident where she was hit by a Dangote truck. The sad news was announced in a statement released via Phyna’s Instagram page on Sunday.

The statement reads, “We remain Solicitors to Ruth Otabor, Josephine Otabo (Whose moniker is Phyna) and the Otabor Family and have their instruction to inform the public this.

“With a heavy heart, the family regrets to announce the passing on to glory of their daughter, sister, and mother on this 31st Day of August 2025 at about 06:30.

“The Family is presently grieving and would appreciate being given a private moment to mourn the departed. The funeral arrangement will be communicated to the oubluc in due course.”

The news of Ruth’s demise comes hours after reports started spreading online that Phyna is down and has been hospitalised. A photo of Phyna lying on a hospital bed had gone viral online amid the reports.

However, Nollywood filmmaker Stanley Ontop has dismissed the reports as false, claiming the photo was not genuine but taken from a movie set in Asaba, where Phyna is currently working on a film.

He explained that the hospital scene was part of a production and that the medical props, including the drip and hospital gown, were costumes belonging to a local team member.

Initially believing she was truly hospitalised, Stanley said he felt misled after learning the image was staged.

He criticised Phyna for creating false impressions, especially after many people had publicly defended and supported her.

According to him, Phyna had only received minor treatment, such as drips and injections at her hotel, and was never admitted to any hospital.

He heavily fumed over what he described as a deliberate attempt to manipulate public sympathy, stating that such actions could damage credibility and trust.

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Entertainment

Toke Makinwa welcomes a newborn baby girl

Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa is on cloud nine after revealing the birth of her first child, a baby girl, after many years of waiting. She shared the big news on her Instagram page, where she posted pictures of her newborn holding her thumb, with the caption, “I’m a Mommy…… This is the happiest I’ve ever been.”

She also shared the names of the newborn, which included Yoruba, Hebrew, and English names that captured the blessings and beauty of her birth.

“Yakira Eliana, Olakitan, Iyanuoluwa, Ikeoluwa, Adunola, Meet my miracle, Yakira Eliana — Precious, Beloved — of great worth, My God has answered.”

Well-wishers have flooded the comment section of her Instagram posts, congratulating the 40-year-old, who joins the list of Nigerian celebrity mothers.

Media Personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Actor and Media Personality Uti Nwachukwu, actress Tonto Dike, and many other celebrities commented on the post.

Toke Makinwa’s baby is walking into the world with a wardrobe full of designers waiting for her.

In a post on her Instagram account, the media personality showed off the designer gifts her celebrity friends have showered the newborn with.

From luxury brands like Chanel, to personalised keepsakes, Toke described the unboxing as more than just showing off items, but a dream she had waited years to experience.

“For me, this is not just an unboxing video but such a priceless moment because I’ve waited so long to do this,” she wrote.

While celebrating the defining moment in her life, Toke shared a word of kindness and hope to all those waiting on a miracle, whether for marriage, children, health, or career breakthroughs.

“Live your life, you are not defined by what has not yet happened for you,” she encouraged.

For a celebrity who has been in the news for over a decade, Toke Makinwa’s pregnancy announcement expectedly sparked reactions online. Some accused her of faking the baby bump, which led Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage and Nollywood box office giant Funke Akindele to speak in her defence.

In the world of celebrity babies, the newborn will be walking into a life of glitz and glamour as the biggest gift to one of Nigeria’s most talked-about celebrities.

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