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.

The multi-talented artiste was said to have battled lymphoma — a type of blood cancer that starts in the white blood cells.

His family announced his passing in a statement released by Kayode Fasasi on Sunday.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of multitalented veteran singer, rapper, songwriter Olanrewaju Fasasi a.k.a Sound Sultan,” the statement reads.

“He passed away at the age of 44 following a hard fought battle with angioimmunoblastic t-cell lymphoma.

“He is survived by his wife, three children and his siblings .

“We his family will appreciate the utmost privacy as we come to grips with this tragic loss.”

In May, it was reported that the musician was diagnosed with throat cancer but he would later counter the report.

“Eid Mubarak to my lovely Muslim brothers and sisters. May Almighty Allah accept our fast as an act of Ibadah. Instagram!!! This is not the one with ram…I must not ignore the massive show of love. Thank you all. I’ll tell you my story myself, it will be true then not false,” he said in reaction.

Sultan is regarded as one of the pioneers of Nigerian hip-hop and has collaborated with many of his peers.

He released his critically-acclaimed single ‘Mathematics’ in 2000 and went on to release four albums with Kennis Music before his contract expired in 2007.

Alongside ‘Mathematics’, Sultan is famous for songs such as ‘Motherland’, ‘Ole’, and ‘Kokose’.

In 2007, he partnered with his brother, Dare ‘Baba Dee’ Fasasi, to start Naija Ninjas, a parent organisation for a record label, production outfit, and clothing line.

In 2012, he was made a United Nations ambassador for peace alongside Weird MC and now deceased Goldie.