Sound Sultan, Nigerian musician, is dead
The family, in a statement, said Sound Sultan died on Sunday of Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma.
Popular Nigerian musician, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan, is dead.
His death was announced in a statement Sunday morning by his family.
He was 44.
The family, in a statement, said Sound Sultan died on Sunday of Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma.
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a group of related malignancies (cancers) that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas).
His relative, Kayode Fasasi, who signed the statement, said Sound Sultan passed on after a “hard fought battle” with the ailment.
His brother and musician, Baba Dee, in an Instagram post on Sunday written in Arabic, said: “To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.”
He is survived by a wife, three children and his siblings.
In May, several reports that the talented singer was diagnosed with throat cancer surfaced online.
The report also claimed the singer was already in the United States receiving treatment.
The family didn’t respond to the reports. However, Sound Sultan would later break his silence on Instagram.
He stated that he would tell everyone the true story himself when the time comes.
The singer posted a picture of himself with his kids and felicitated with Muslims around the world on the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
He said: “Eid Mubarak to my lovely Muslim brothers and sisters. May Almighty Allah accept our fast as an act of Ibadah.
”Instagram! This is not the one with ram. I must not ignore the massive show of love. Thank you all. I will tell you my story myself. It will be true THEN not false.”
The fans of the iconic singer have been praying for his recovery following reports that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy in the U.S.
Since the news of his ailment came to the fore, friends and fans of the singer took to social media to wish him well.
His last Instagram post was on June 3.
Tributes
Sound Sultan’s death has no doubt thrown the Nigerian music and entertainment industry into mourning. He was one of Nigeria’s finest musicians who was loved by his colleagues and fans alike.
Since the news broke on Sunday morning, Nigerian entertainers have taken to Instagram to pay glowing tributes to one of their own.
RMD“Did you know when you wished me happy birthday three days earlier than usual that you won’t have the strength to do it a day later?
”Words would never be enough, my brother. Love you Man”
Tunde Ednut
“We were all born to die. Be good while you’re still on earth. No one leaves this world alive. Settle problems with those who are ready to settle with you. There’s nothing in this world, Be good.”
Kate Henshaw
“I’ve never called on you that you’ve said no to my request and vice versa.
‘You show up every blessed time and on time too. I know Allah will receive you because you gave of yourself every single time, no question asked.
”My ancestor, we joke about how you never aged a day all these years.
Rest on, my dear friend and brother.”
Weird Mc
“This one hit real hard. I’m numb, but I choose to remember the joyful times and the continuous unveiling of your God-given artistry. I choose not to mourn because you’ve gone back home to our father in heaven.
”Lanre, rest well. Lord, thank you as you receive your son. It was such a huge honour to have met and experienced you. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Femi Kuti
“(Just read in the daily Punch newspaper too)
I’m shocked and sad at the passing of Sound Sultan (he is family) I pray our creator gives his family strength at this time. Rip Sound Sultan”
Seun Kuti
“Rest in peace big king. Truly one of the best humans I have ever met. The world lost something great today. 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”
Kenny Ogungbe simply wrote: “RIP sound Sultan.”
Eedris Abdulkareem
“Verily, from Allah we came and to him we return. The world is not the resting place (Dunya), it’s the testing place. Rest on, my brother. May Allah grant you Aljanah Fridau Amin Yarabi.”
History
Sound Sultan was a singer, songwriter, and recording artiste who was regarded as one of the pioneers of hip-hop music in Nigeria.
His showbiz career began in the 1990s when he hosted shows in order to raise money for studio sessions.
By 1999, he had won numerous local talent-hunt shows and released his monster hit, “Jagbajantis” in 2000.
After independently releasing other singles and featuring in hit songs of other artists, Sound Sultan was signed by Kennis Music.
More than 20 years after he launched his music career.
The ace musician remained relevant in the industry even in death. He released his eight album, ‘8th World Wonder’ in May 2020.
When asked the secret behind his staying power in the Nigerian industry, in his last major interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the soft spoken singer said:
“I have managed. It has really been God all this while. A year in music is like twenty years in real-time because every song has three months of life span.
” If you don’t put a strong topic or reason behind the song, the song will go with the season. Like my ‘Motherland’ song, I don’t remember the number of times I listen to it, when I am home or abroad.”
Some of his greatest hits include “Motherlan”, “Mathematics” and “Ole.”
