Sonny Okosun

Sonny Okosun who performed under the stage name Evangelist Sonny Okosuns in the later end of his career was born on January 1, 1947 in Enugu to traditional musicians.

Sonny Okosun Age

Sonny Okosun would have been 77 years old, if he were alive today. May his soul rest in peace.

Sonny Okosun Early Life

He attended St Brigid’s School, Asata, Enugu State after which he enrolled at a Government trade center, he didn’t complete his studies as he soon left the training center.

He honed his musical career by joining the Holy Ghost Cathedral choir in Enugu

Sonny Okosun Career

With his sound which is a fusion of reggae, highlife, Afro-funk, and traditional melodies and rhythms which was later called Ozzidi which he got from the igbo word 'Ozi' which means 'Message' he tackled the most incendiary political and social issues gripping the African continent. In his words, 'All my mates were singing love songs, I was trying to talk about what was happening to black people'. He promoted African unity and black pride over radical boarders. His Ozzidi band was made up of Okosun as the front man and lead singer, backed by a trombone player, three backup dancers, keyboardist, bass and trap drums.

Sonny who stated his musical influence as Elvis Presley and the Beatles taught himself how to play the guitar at a very young age and In 1964, at age 17 he founded a band, 'The Postmen' which was also known as the 'Local beatles' and a year later was invited to London for the first time as part of a theater group.

He settled in Lagos with his family following the 1966 coup d'état forging a career as a television actor. He was a member of the award winning drama troupe that performed a theatrical version of Okwerri’s Masquerades and J.P Clark’s 'Song of a Goat'

In 1969, he returned to music as a member  of Victor Uwaifo's Melody Maestros, touring Japan and Europe with the group after which he set out on his own again founding his own psychedelic rock unit in 1966, 'Paperback Limited' which he disbanded in 1974.

In 1976, he released 'Help' which was his first major African hit and a reference to the Beatles 5th album from 1965 and then in 1977, he released  'Fire in Soweto'

In 1981, with the release of his single 'Third World', he got a licensing deal with the U.S. imprint, Celluloid managed by Indie Oti and was invited to perform at Zimbabwe's independence anniversary gala in Harare. In 1985, he gained international acclaim by being the only African artist to contribute to the all-star anti-apartheid album, Sun City

He resurfaced in 1994 with the hot single, 'Songs of Praise' which was a gospel album and with which went on to sell more than a million copies and was invited  to perform at the inauguration of South African President, Nelson Mandela.

In 1998 he founded the House of Prayer Ministry in Ikeja.

Through the course of his career, he  released about 40 albums and his popular songs include Papa's Land (1977),  Holy Wars (1978), Sonny Okosun Meets Lord Superior (1978), No More Wars (1981), Mother and Child (1982), Togetherness (1983), Which Way Nigeria? (1984). He recorded songs in Ishan which is his parent's language, English, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.

In 1994, he became the elected president of the Performing Musicians' Association of Nigeria (PMAN)

Sonny Okosun Personal Life

On May 24, 2008, Sunny Okoson died in Washington, D.C at Howard University Hospital from Colon cancer. He was 61 years old.

He was married more than once and fathered at least four children.

Sonny Okosun Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

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