Everyone comes into this world in one day and leaves on the assigned day. And on their headstone is a dash, if you like, a hyphen. The question is always what are we filling our dash with.
For Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi, those dates were November 27, 1976, to July 11, 2021. And boy, did he fill it!
Not just with his remarkable talent, which he shared with us as a singer, songwriter, rapper, comedian, actor, musician, record producer, executive producer and basketball club co-owner. But also as a friend to those who had the honour of knowing him, and as a respected family man. A man who, for the many years of his fame and reign in this industry, had not one vice was associated with him, and he held his family so dear to his heart.
So tonight, across five cities in this world: New York, London, Atlanta, Pretoria and here in Lagos, you would hear many of these friends, colleagues, partners and family members tell the story of this one man whom we’ve gathered here today to honour.
His last album was actually called 8th Wonda. I’m not surprised because truly Sound Sultan (Naija Ninja) was an 8th wonder for our industry in Nigeria, Africa, and indeed around the world. I cannot recall, standing here this evening, any Nigerian entertainer who has passed in recent memory and had the honour of being celebrated in five cities. We do not mourn you, Sound Sultan. We celebrate you for the fine music and great memories that you have shared with the world today.