Nigerian music producer, director, actor and singer Lanre Fasasi popularly known as Sound Sultan, is dead.
According to reports, the 44-year old died of throat cancer after many weeks of battling the disease.
Sound Sultan had reportedly been diagnosed with throat cancer and undergoing chemotherapy in the US.
Born on November 27, 1976 the Nigerian rapper, comedian and recording artist was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria.
In a message by his family signed by Dr Kayode Fasasi, the family said, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of multitalented veteran singer, rapper, songwriter Olanrewaju Fasasi aka Sound Sultan he passed away at the age of 44 with angioimmunoblastic T-Cell lymphoma.
He is survived by hiw wife, three children and his siblings. We, his family will appreciate the utmost privacy as we come to grips with this tragic loss.
Sound Sultan’s career in show business started in the 1990s, when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions.
By 1999, he had won numerous local talent-hunt shows. He released his first single “Jagbajantis” in 2000, which was a hit in Nigeria. After independently releasing other singles and featuring in hit songs of other artists, he was signed by Kennis Music.
Under Kennis Music, he released four albums. By 2007, his contract with the label expired and he partnered with Baba Dee to start Naija Ninjas, a parent organization for a record label, production outfit and clothing line.
After starting as a rapper, he has worked in different musical genres from R&B to Afrobeat, soul and Nigerian Fuji music. He has said that artists shouldn’t be judged on the genre in which they perform, that the important thing is the message conveyed in the music.
Under Naija Ninjas, he released Back From The Future (2010) and signed artists such as Karma Da Rapper, Young GreyC, Shawn and Blacka.
Sound Sultan began a working relationship with Wyclef Jean when featured alongside 2face Idibia and Faze on “Proud to be African” from Wyclef’s Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101 album. They have collaborated on two other projects: “King of My Country” (2009) and “People Bad” (2012).
In 2012, it was announced that Sound Sultan was made a UN Ambassador for Peace for his exemplary lifestyle and career.
In 2015, Sound Sultan released the rap single “Remember” after a long absence from the music scene.
After the fallout of the African Basketball League, Sound Sultan joined forces with the organizers of the Continental Basketball League to become a team owner of Lagos City Stars (the 2017 champions) and a facilitator of the league entertainment.
Sound Sultan featured on Honorebel’s 2019 single “Bridal” with Joe El.
