Nigeria: Sound Sultan dead at 44

The news of the musician’s death arrives two months after local media reported that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer in the US.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our multitalented veteran singer, rapper, songwriter Olanrewaju Fasasi aka Sound Sultan,” Sultan’s family said in a statement. “He passed away at the age of 44 following a hard-fought battle with Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma [AITL]. He is survived by his wife, three children and his siblings. We, his family, will appreciate the utmost privacy as we come to grips with this tragic loss.”

Across social media, condolences have been pouring in from the musician’s colleagues and fans since the news of the musician’s death broke.

“I am shocked and very sad reading this news of the passing of Sound Sultan,” singer Femi Kuti commented. “I pray our Creator to give his family strength at this time.”

Songstress Nikki Laoye said: “My brother, gosh. Please say something. Hope this isn’t true. We still chatted recently.” Faze commented: “Too good to be gone. Worse Sunday ever. RIP my brother and friend.”

“RIP Sound Sultan,” Mr Eazi tweeted.

Considered a pioneering figure in Nigeria’s hip hop scene, Sound Sultan was revered for his versatility across R&B, Afrobeat, soul and Nigerian Fuji music, as well as the infusion of comedic elements in his songs. His music career began in the 1990s, and his first single ‘Jagbajantis’ arrived in 2000. Following several other independent releases, he secured a record deal with Kennis Music, before setting up Naija Ninjas, his independent label in 2008.

Sound Sultan is behind seven albums including Kpseeeeeeew (2001), Textbook (2004), Naija 007 (2007), SS4 (2008), Back to the Future (2010), Me, My Mouth and Eye (2012) and Out of the Box (2016). He has worked with top acts including fellow Nigerian stars 2Baba, Wizkid, Banky W and M.I Abaga, Ghana’s Sarkodie, and Haitian-American rapper Wyclef Jean.

His career, which saw him flourish as a comedian and actor, secured him accolades including a 2012 Headies Award for Album of the Year and the City People Music Special Recognition Award in 2018. In 2012, he was named by the United Nations as a peace ambassador in acknowledgement of his activism.