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.
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.
“I lost all my savings”: Mr Macaroni shares financial struggles and discloses ₦500m debt
Popular Nigerian activist and actor, Mr Macaroni, has taken to social media to share a deeply personal experience about financial loss, debt, and betrayal, hoping his story serves as a lesson to others. He shared his experience in a recent X post, wherein he recounted losing all his life savings to a scam and bad investment.
Sometime around 2021/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told NO ONE about it. If you know me well enough, you will know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities i have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interests could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realize that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help.
The thespian warned fans to avoid borrowing money or at least be responsible when they do borrow.
“Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible,” he warned.
The comedian also disclosed that 2024 was a defining year in his acting career, as two films he starred in made it to international film festivals. However, despite professional success, he struggled under the weight of his debts, which had exceeded half a billion naira.
However, the activist emphasised his resilience, stating that he made tough decisions and, with the help of family and friends, has begun to feel better. He encouraged those going through difficult times to stay strong, learn from their mistakes, and remain accountable.
“It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. What is not okay is to keep repeating the same mistakes,” he concluded.
Davido releases New single ‘Be There Still’ Ahead Of New Album
The 5-time Grammy-nominated singer earlier shared the news in a post on his social media account on February 26, 2025.
The single, released on March 14, features uptempo Amapiano log drum fusion and a blend of pidgin and English. The song shows Davido restating his status as a superstar who will remain at the summit of the game.
The single comes ahead of Davido’s highly anticipated fifth album ‘Five’, scheduled for release on April 18.
2025 has already gotten off to a busy start for Davido who secured his fifth Grammy nomination at the 67th Grammys where he got the nod for the Best African Song Performance for his part on Chris Brown’s ‘Sensational’.
Davido was also recently nominated in 5 categories, including the Artist of the Year at the upcoming 17th Headies, which extends his record as one of the most decorated artists in the awards history.
Ahead of the album release, Davido has released two singles ‘Awuke’ featuring Jamaican Dancehall sensation YG Marley and ‘Funds’ featuring Chike and OdumoduBlvck.
In the social media post announcing his next album, the hitmaker described it as one straight from the heart.
‘5ive’ is also expected to feature a collaboration with Nigerian superstar Omah Lay, who, in an interview, revealed that the song is a perfect partnership.
Adekunle Gold also recently teased a possible guest appearance on the album, which Davido and his fans will expect to follow in the footsteps of his record-breaking fourth album ‘Timeless’.
Court orders arrest of VeryDarkMan over alleged defamation of Mercy Chinwo
The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of controversial social media personality Very Dark Man (VDM) over the alleged defamation of Nigerian gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025, following VeryDarkMan’s failure to appear before the magistrate after being summoned on March 5, 2025.
The news was confirmed to Channels Television on March 13 by VDM’s lawyer Deji Adeyanju, “Yes, a bench warrant has been issued against him for failure to show up in court. They are just interested in a media trial; they are not serious about prosecution,” he explained.
Adeyanju also explained that he had previously appealed to the court to allow him to appear in VDM’s stead, however, the appeal was denied stressing that the social media personality was to appear by himself.
VDM’s warrant of arrest follows his allaged defamatory remarks on social media, accusing Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and the alleged diversion of $345,000 connected to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, commonly known as Eezee Tee, were the basis for the bench warrant.
Chinwo provided the court with documentation to back up her assertions, such as emails and payment receipts, demonstrating that VDM’s accusations were not only wholly untrue but also defamatory and detrimental to her character and public image.
According to the complainant’s solicitors, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Abuja-based Law Corridor, Chinwo, the defendant’s claimed activities violate Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 and Section 391 of the Penal Code.
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