Sound Sultan dies at 44 after battle with cancer

Olanrewaju Fasasi, Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter better known as Sound Sultan, has died after battling cancer.

Kayode Fasasi, a member of the deceased’s family, broke the tragic news in a statement seen by TheCable on Sunday.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of multitalented veteran singer, rapper, songwriter Olanrewaju Fasasi a.k.a Soundsulatan. He passed away at the age of 44 following a hard fought battle with Angiommunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. He is survived by his wife three children and his siblings,” the statement reads.

Reports had surfaced that the singer had jetted out of Nigeria to the US for chemotherapy following his diagnosis.

But Sound Sultan had express gratitude to his well-wishers, insisting he would tell the story of his struggles himself.

Sound Sultan’s career in show business started in the 90s when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions.

By 1999, he had won numerous local talent-hunt shows.

Under Kennis Music, Sound Sultan did four albums. As his contract with the label expired in 2007, he partnered with Baba Dee to start Naija Ninjas, a parent organisation for a record label, production outfit, and clothing line.

Sound Sultan worked in different music genres from R&B to Afrobeat, soul, and Nigerian Fuji music. Under Naija Ninjas, he released ‘Back From The Future’ (2010) and signed Karma Da Rapper, Young GreyC, Shawn, and Blacka.

The rapper started working with Wyclef Jean after he featured alongside 2face Idibia and Faze on ‘Proud to be African’ from Wyclef’s ‘Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101’ album. They would later collaborate on two other projects.

In 2012, it was revealed that Sound Sultan was made a UN Ambassador for Peace for his exemplary life and career.

In 2015, the talented rapper released the rap single ‘Remember’ after a long absence from the music scene.

Sound Sultan, in 2009, married Chichi Morah, his long-time girlfriend, with whom he later had three children.

He was known for producing a plethora of tracks including his hit single ‘Jagbajantis’ in 2000. After independently releasing other singles and featuring in the hits of other singers, he was signed by Kennis Music.