Sonny Okosun
Personal
Other names:
Job / Known for: Leader of the Ozzidi band
Left traces: Ozzidi music
Born
Date: 1947
Location: NG Edo State
Died
Date: 2008-05-24 (aged 61)
Resting place: US Maryland, Washington DC, Howard University Hospital
Death Cause: Colon cancer
Family
Spouse: Caroline Okosun
Children: Sidney, Michael, Jerry, and two daughters
Parent(s):
QR Code:
Sonny Okosun My QR code: Sonny Okosun https://DearGone.com/14124
Key Ownner: Not yet supported by key owner
Show More
Rank Users ranking to :
Thanks, you rate star
1 2 3 4 5
Ranking 5.0 1
Fullname NoEnglish

Slogan
There is a message in the music
My voice:
--
Loading Voice...
--:--
Voice is original
About me / Bio:
Sonny Okosun was a Nigerian musician who was known as the leader of the Ozzidi band. He named his band Ozzidi after a renowned Ijaw river god, but to Okosun the meaning was "there is a message". His surname is sometimes spelled Okosuns and his first name Sunny. He was one of the leading Nigerian musicians from the late 1970s to mid-1980s. Okosun's brand of African pop music, Ozzidi, is a synthesis of Afro-beat, reggae and funk music. From 1977, he became known for protest songs about Pan-Africanism, freedom and a few other social and political issues affecting Africans. Okosun started his musical career as a member of the Postmen, a band led by Melvin Ukachi. He later formed his own group, the Paperback Limited, and then the Ozzidi band in 1972. He released his first album, Ozzidi, in 1974, followed by several others, such as Fire in Soweto, Holy Wars, and Which Way Nigeria. Some of his popular songs include "Mother and Child", "Papa's Land", "Revolution", and "Now or Never". He also collaborated with other African musicians, such as Manu Dibango, Hugh Masekela, and Miriam Makeba. Okosun was not only a musician, but also an activist who used his music to speak out against injustice and oppression. He was a vocal critic of the apartheid regime in South Africa and supported the liberation movements in Zimbabwe and Namibia. He also campaigned for democracy and human rights in Nigeria and other African countries. He was arrested several times by the Nigerian military government for his political views and songs. He also performed at various concerts and events to raise awareness and funds for various causes, such as Live Aid, Mandela Day, and the African National Congress. Okosun died on 24 May 2008 at the Howard University Hospital in Washington DC, after a long battle with colon cancer. He was 61 years old. He is survived by his wife, Caroline, and his five children. He is regarded as one of the pioneers and legends of African music and a voice of the oppressed. His music and message continue to inspire and influence many people across the world.
Show More

Article for Sonny Okosun

Died profile like Sonny Okosun

  • Arif Mardin Voice of death
    Arif Mardin
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: US
  • Yemi Tella Voice of death
    Yemi Tella
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: NG
  • Stanley Holden Voice of death
    Stanley Holden
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: US
  • Nicole Brown Simpson Voice of death
    Nicole Brown Simpson
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: US
  • Cyprian Ekwensi Voice of death
    Cyprian Ekwensi
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: NG
  • Kate Jennings Voice of death
    Kate Jennings
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: US
  • Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo Voice of death
    Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: NG
  • Aron Cotrus Voice of death
    Aron Cotrus
    Aron Cotruș
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: US
  • Sargon Boulus Voice of death
    Sargon Boulus
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: US
  • Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu Voice of death
    Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: NG
  • Akhtar Hameed Khan Voice of death
    Akhtar Hameed Khan
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: US
  • Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Voice of death
    Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
    Age: y/o ()
    Died: US
Comments:
Add Death Died Social Media

To access this section, register or log in to your account.

Log in / Sign up