Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
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 The Drum Online on Sunday.
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.
Reports had surfaced 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.
