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R.I.P Sonny Okosuns: The Legend Lives On (1947 - 2008)

14 comments

Posted by: Pamela Stitch on May 26, 2008 Under: Africa, Arts & Entertainment, Discussion Lounge, Music, Nigeria



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Sonny Okosuns, a native of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria really burst into the limelight in 1977 with the song, “Fire in Soweto” in which he sang about apartheid in South Africa. This song was the rallying cry for many Nigerians who weren’t aware of the issues in South Africa and it led to many Nigerian citizens donating a couple of billion dollars to the struggle.

With more than fourteen (14) albums to his credit, it is no secret that he was one of the better known artists from Nigeria. He was known for his fusion of Western Pop and Reggae Music but was best known for his ‘Ozziddi’ rhythms.

Sonny Okosuns was one who preached unity in his music - he was very aware of the issues of diversity and unity in Nigeria, thus, he sang in Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa and though he was Christian, sang a song about Muhammed. In later years, Sunny Okosun, became a Christian and sang mostly Gospel music. But, he is better known for the music he did in earlier years.

Okosuns was a true Pan African who had no problem singing about issues in different regions of Africa. He passed away on May 25, 2008 in Washington DC. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Enjoy ‘Fire in Soweto’:

PS:
Last Thursday, May 22nd, I uploaded Okosuns’ Fire in Soweto audio to highlight the irony of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, little did I know that his days were numbered. He died two later. Sonny Okosuns died at age 61. - CareTaker.

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14 comment(s)

  1. wole | May 27, 2008 | Reply

    Sad,sad news. Sony Okosun was the favourite musician of my adolescent years: i remember the heavy percussions in “Fire in soweto”; there was this igbo song that goes like this “ina ijo-oh, jo jobele jo…” or something like it that was how my young mind captured that song at that time when my father used to play the music on our turn table. “steady and slow” used to keep me fantasising if you heard the song you will understand what i mean. How can we forget the rhetorical “which way Nigeria” Okosun was a man of candour, he sang from the heart. may his soul rest in peace.

  2. wole | May 27, 2008 | Reply

    @caretaker: the version you downloaded was the remix, there was an original version more direct and dramatic devoid of this “sophistication”

  3. CareTaker | May 27, 2008 | Reply

    I feel you on this one!

  4. pammy | May 27, 2008 | Reply

    Me sha…I like this song…:-)

    Welcome back Wole!

  5. CareTaker | May 28, 2008 | Reply

    Okosuns represented an era of African musicians who used their talent to speak to issues on the continent, quite unlike the present crop of artists.

    Wole: I know what you are saying :) Is there any way you can recover and preserve those songs? I think you should.

  6. Uchenna | May 28, 2008 | Reply

    Caretaker -

    here is the original version of “Fire in Soweto” from 1977

    http://www.comb-and-razor.com/Sounds1/Fire%20In%20Soweto.mp3

    actually, i’ve always preferred the version you posted, though.

  7. CareTaker | May 28, 2008 | Reply

    Thanks!

    Another great song is “Papa’s Land”. Any idea where I can get this?

  8. Uchenna | May 28, 2008 | Reply

    i’ll post “Papa’s Land” later.

  9. wole | May 29, 2008 | Reply

    @uchenna: good man, pls add “revolution” if you can, that is the song that says “people of the world(4ce), i say what do you want…some people have no food while others are going to the moon” etc,etc

    @caretaker: i will try to save them on a mp3 it will take time though ‘cos as you know they are many

  10. Uchenna | May 29, 2008 | Reply

    interestingly enough, i had just posted that song the day before:

    http://combandrazor.blogspot.com/2008/05/you-want-to-live-in-moon.html

  11. Misi | May 29, 2008 | Reply

    He was too young to die. May his soul rest in perfect peace. He was a true legend.

  12. mtee | Jun 5, 2008 | Reply

    my mum taught him in school. He was a true nigerian

  13. apostle james munonye | Jun 5, 2008 | Reply

    DADDY,YOU MEANS SO MUCH TO ME AND THE CHURCH. WE WILL MISE YOU SO MUCH. WE LOVE YOU. OUR ENCOUTER WITH YOU AS OUR SPIRITAUL FATHER WILL LIVES ON. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE . WE LOVE YOU DADY

  14. apostle james munonye | Jun 14, 2008 | Reply

    daddy we are missing you. May your gentle soul rest in peace.

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