Sound Sultan

Sound Sultan was born Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi on November 27, 1976 in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. He was the fourth of six children of his parents, who were both civil servants. He grew up in a multicultural and religiously tolerant family, as his father was a Muslim and his mother was a Christian. He attended Stepping Stone Nursery and Primary School in Jos, and Federal Government College in Ogbomosho for his secondary education. He later studied Geography and Regional Planning at Lagos State University. Sound Sultan developed an interest in music and entertainment from a young age, influenced by his elder brother Baba Dee, who studied theatre arts. He started miming at school parties and writing his own lyrics. He also learned how to play the guitar and joined a band. He began his professional career in the 1990s, hosting shows to raise money for studio sessions. He won several local talent competitions and gained recognition in the Nigerian music scene. In 2000, he released his first single, Mathematics, which was a hit in Nigeria and beyond. The song used the BODMAS formula to address social and political issues in Africa. He followed up with other singles and collaborations, and signed a record deal with Kennis Music in 2001. Under Kennis Music, he released four albums: Kpseeeeeeew (2001), Textbook (2004), Naija 007 (2007), and SS4 (2008). He also featured in songs by other artists, such as 2face Idibia, Faze, and Wyclef Jean. In 2008, his contract with Kennis Music expired and he teamed up with his brother Baba Dee to start Naija Ninjas, a parent company for a record label, production outfit, and clothing line. He released four more albums under Naija Ninjas: Back from the Future (2010), Me, My Mouth and Eye (2012), Out of the Box (2016), and 8th Wondah (2020). He also signed and mentored other artists, such as Sean Tizzle, Young GreyC, and Blacka. Sound Sultan was not only a musician, but also an actor, comedian, and social activist. He starred in several movies and TV shows, such as Head Gone (2014), Campus Queen (2004), and Who Wants to Be a Billionaire (2009). He also performed comedy skits and stand-up routines, often incorporating music and satire. He was known for using his art to speak against poverty, corruption, bad governance, and societal ills in Nigeria. He was involved in various humanitarian and philanthropic causes, such as the United Nations World Food Programme, Slum2School Africa, and the National Malaria Elimination Programme. He was also a co-owner and facilitator of the Lagos Islanders basketball team in the African Basketball League. Sound Sultan was married to Chichi Morah, a Christian Igbo woman, in 2009. They had three children: Zara, Bidemi, and Mayowa. He was a devoted father and husband, and a role model to many young Nigerians. He was widely respected and admired by his fans, colleagues, and peers for his talent, versatility, humility, and integrity. Sound Sultan died of throat cancer on July 11, 2021, in New Jersey, USA, at the age of 44. He was buried according to Islamic rites at a Muslim cemetery in New Jersey. His death was mourned by millions of people across the world, who paid tribute to his legacy and impact on the Nigerian entertainment industry and society at large. He was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria and a legend of Afrobeat.