8th Wonda… Music, dance as fans pay last tribute to Naija Ninja

On Saturday, July 24, 2021, Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), in collaboration with the Fasasi family, friends, colleagues and fans hosted an evening of music, poetry, dance, comedy, and talk in celebration of the life of Olanrewaju ‘Sound Sultan’ Fasasi who died on Sunday, July 11, 2021.

The special event was held simultaneously in five cities across the world – Lagos, London, Pretoria, New York, and Atlanta. Nearly a thousand people physically attended the Lagos event held at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island. The event which was hosted by Richmond Osuji was streamed live on YouTube and Facebook with live video link-up with satellite events held in Europe and America.

With music provided by the late singer’s Naija Ninja Band, friends and colleagues such as Aramide, Johnny Drille, Azadus, Vector, Ill Bliss, MI Abaga, Timi Dakolo, Faze, 2Baba and Black Face performed songs in honour of Sound Sultan. Others like Chigurl, Efe Warri Boy, and SLK paid tribute to Sound Sultan’s well-known comedy skills, while Sage Hasson delivered a powerful spoken word poetry recital.

Speakers at the Lagos tribute event, which lasted for more than three hours, included Dare ‘Baba Dee’ Fasasi, Olisa Adibua, Comedian Princess, Nelson Brown, ID Cabasa, Edi Lawani, IK Osakioduwa, Tee-Y Mix, Segun Adefila, Kenny Ogungbe, who was represented by his daughter, blogger Kemi Olunloyo, Sam Onyemelekwe, and others. El Dee the Don, Emmanuel Ugolee, and Ayo Animashaun, were part of friends and fans who attended the Atlanta tribute event.

In his tribute, music producer Tee-Y Mix said Sound Sultan was exemplary and “he has shown us that it is possible to live right, be selfless and be a good person. I take solace in the fact that he lived a very impactful life.”

According to the broadcaster, Olisa Adibua, Sound Sultan’s music was unique, and “he wasn’t just trying to do music as a way of making money. Every song he released has a message, and the legacy of those songs will live on.”

Sound Sultan’s long-time friend, 2Baba, said the deceased entertainer represented humility, love, peace and was one of the greatest talents in the world, “and I see that reflected in his kids already,” he added.

In a touching moment, Mayowa, Sound Sultan’s 10-year-old son, who joined his uncle, Baba Dee on stage said of his father: “My daddy was a good man; we really love him. He always took care of us. He always didn’t want to get angry in our presence, and he was nice to everybody.”

As the world continues to celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Sound Sultan, his colleagues and friends have also set up a donation account at www.flutterwave.com/pay/soundsultan for those who have been asking for a way to show their appreciation to the late entertainer. All funds donated will go directly to his wife, Farida, and children.

Fans can also watch the full stream of the Tribute event on Sound Sultan’s official YouTube channel and buy his music on all streaming platforms.