Sound Sultan Goes Down Fighting

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

“One of my earliest memories of seeing artiste Sound Sultan perform was sometime in 2003/2004 when I actually ended up missing a test in school because I wanted to watch him perform at the French Cultural Center. Then his smash hit Mathematics was ruling the airwaves. We ended up becoming very good friends, neighbours to an extent here in Lagos, attended you know family events with each other, worked out at the same gym for about 2/3 years. So he is a very dear friend of mine. And it’s very, very disheartening to hear what has happened to him.

“It’s pretty heartbreaking and once again our condolences to his family, his friends, (and) his loved ones who are definitely going through a hard time at this moment. I dare you to go anywhere and find out anything negative about Sound Sultan. You know we always say nice things when people pass away. But this time everything being said about him is beyond the truth. An absolutely amazing human being, nice guy, warm soul, and we just wish his soul continue to rest in peace.”

This is just one of the many heartfelt tributes to Nigerian music legend, Ọlánrewájú Fàsásí, popularly known as Sound Sultan who gave up the ghost in the US last Sunday after a hard fight with cancer. As noted by the bearer, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, who also happens to be in the entertainment industry, Sound Sultan was a great guy just as corroborated by many of his colleagues and friends. Fans from different spheres of life also took to various social media platform to pay their final respect.

From high places including Nigeria’s presidency and the US consulate, extolled his exemplary life and virtues, describing the late singer as a good ambassador to youths. As a celebrated rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, he lived an exemplary life, achieved several milestones in his career, and contributed greatly to the development of the Nigerian music and entertainment industry through his artistic genius, creativity, and talent, which has inspired many young Nigerians in the industry.

The late Sound Sultan was reputed for using his music to speak against poverty, corruption, bad governance and societal ills in Nigeria. At 44, the age he passed on, not a few of Nigeria’s political class can be said to have impacted lives as Sound Sultan. He was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern music in Nigeria.

A 1999 graduate of Lagos State University where he obtained a degree in geography and regional planning, his showbiz career kicked off in the early ’90s when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions. By 1999, he had won multiple talent shows. In 2000, he released his breakthrough hit ‘Mathematics’ — a song on which he used BODMAS to advocate a new approach to governance in Africa. After independently releasing other singles, the musician joined Kennis Music. Under Kennis Music, Sound Sultan made four studio albums.

When his contract with the label expired in 2007, he partnered Dare ‘Baba Dee’ Fasasi, his elder brother, to start Naija Ninjas, which served as the parent company to a record label, production outfit, and clothing line. A family man to the core, Sound Sultan in 2009 married Chichi Morah who later converted to Islam and changed her name to Farida Fasasi. They had three children together. Five years after their marriage, Sound Sultan shut down speculation that he compelled his wife to convert to Islam.

He said she converted on her own accord because she was in love with the religion. “No one forces anyone to do a religion. It just happened that she married me and she really…really was in love with the religion herself,” he said. The music legend worked in different music genres; from R&B to afrobeats, soul, and fuji music. Under Naija Ninjas, he released several albums and signed artistes like Karma Da Rapper, Young GreyC, Shawn, and Blacka. In 2012, Sound Sultan was made a UN ambassador for peace on account of his exemplary lifestyle.

In total, eight studio albums were credited to him, including Kpseeeeew (2001), Textbook (2004), Naija 007 (2007), Back to The Future (2010), Me, My Mouth, and Eye (2012), Out of The Box (2016), and 8th Wondah (2020). Sound Sultan starred in films like ‘The Washerman’ (2018), Head Gone (2014), ‘Campus Queen’ (2004) and a web series by comedian Basketmouth titled ‘Papa Benji’ (2020). In a February 2021 interview, he spoke of some of his projects in the works including music compilations and sitcoms.

An ardent fan of basketball even before he became a music star contributed to the development of the sport in Nigeria. It is not surprising Nigeria’s male basketball team, D’Tigers before their game against Australia last Wednesday, while going into the Arena, the players wore their customised shirts with print of Sound Sultan face to pay tribute. The teams also observed a moment of silent before their game to honour the music legend and lover of Basketball.

No post other than Adekunle Binuyo’s comes handy: “However much we desire it, nature doesn’t always grant us that which we mortals regard to be longevity. But the legacies we create will always count for something and more. Your life was a beautiful one as it was a remarkable one, too.

You made your mark, you influenced and impacted many more; thankfully, all your deeds were done genuinely and for positive effect. No one ever spoke ill of you, even though you likely had your own shortcomings as a human being. I know of none, still. You lived simply and respectably as an ideal man should.

“And even in the face of death, you carried yourself with dignity and with grace. I first met you on TV in my early teens, back when you began your career with comedy skits. You blossomed into a household name in the music industry and created memorable songs with messages that reminded us all of our need to build a better Nigeria. Just as you were a good ambassador for Nigeria, you also carried the same zeal to basketball, a sport you were so passionate about, ultimately bringing us to meet during our time at the Lagos Islanders and the Lagos City Stars organizations.

“You lived some of your dreams and I believe they were to your heart’s fulfillment. You built a good family and I have no doubt your seeds will carry on with the good name you left behind. Rest in eternal peace, Ẹ̀gbọ́n Ọlánrewájú Fàsásí. Hopefully, we’ll meet again someday if there’s life after death. May God give your wife, your children, and the rest of your extended family the strength to bear your departure from this beautiful world. May Almighty God bless your beautiful soul. Good night, The Sound Sultan. Ó dì.”