Age, Biography and Wiki
Sonny Okosun was born on 1 January, 1947 in Edo State, Nigeria, is a Nigerian musician (1947–2008). Discover Sonny Okosun's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 61 years old?
Popular As |
N/A |
Occupation |
Musician |
Age |
61 years old |
Zodiac Sign |
Capricorn |
Born |
1 January 1947 |
Birthday |
1 January |
Birthplace |
Edo State, Nigeria |
Date of death |
24 May, 2008 |
Died Place |
Howard University Hospital, Washington DC |
Nationality |
Niger
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We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 1 January.
He is a member of famous artist with the age 61 years old group.
Sonny Okosun Height, Weight & Measurements
At 61 years old, Sonny Okosun height not available right now. We will update Sonny Okosun's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.
Physical Status |
Height |
Not Available |
Weight |
Not Available |
Body Measurements |
Not Available |
Eye Color |
Not Available |
Hair Color |
Not Available |
Dating & Relationship status
He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.
Family |
Parents |
Not Available |
Wife |
Not Available |
Sibling |
Not Available |
Children |
Not Available |
Sonny Okosun Net Worth
His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Sonny Okosun worth at the age of 61 years old? Sonny Okosun’s income source is mostly from being a successful artist. He is from Niger. We have estimated Sonny Okosun's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.
Net Worth in 2024 |
$1 Million - $5 Million |
Salary in 2024 |
Under Review |
Net Worth in 2023 |
Pending |
Salary in 2023 |
Under Review |
House |
Not Available |
Cars |
Not Available |
Source of Income |
artist |
Sonny Okosun Social Network
Instagram |
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Twitter |
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Wikipedia |
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Imdb |
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Timeline
Sonny Okosun (1 January 1947 – 24 May 2008) was a Nigerian musician, who was known as the leader of the Ozzidi band.
He named his band Ozzidi after a renowned Ijaw river god, but to Okosun the meaning was "there is a message".
His surname is sometimes spelled Okosuns and his first name Sunny.
In 1965, he was a participant in a drama group that won the first prize at a competition, the group's winning play was a dramatic version of J. P. Clark's Song of a Goat and Okwerri's Masquerades.
As the winning group they represented Nigeria in the 1965 Commonwealth Arts Festival held in London.
He used the opportunity to tour England attending concerts by the Rolling Stones, The Who, and Herman's Hermits.
When he returned, Okosun joined the cast of Ukonu's Club, an Eastern Nigeria Television variety show where he was able to showcase his guitar playing abilities.
In 1966, he joined the band the Postmen as a rhythm guitarist.
The band played the music of Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
At the onset of the civil war, Okosun and his family who were from the Mid-West and not from Eastern Nigeria had to flee the region and move to Lagos.
In Lagos, he worked as a stagehand for a television station and jammed with a number of groups.
In 1969, he found steady work as a second guitarist in Victor Uwaifo's Maestros.
Uwaifo, still riding on his hit, "Joromi", took his band to a tour in Japan and Europe.
While, he was with Uwaifo, he honed his skills in musical composition by experimenting with a fusion of African and rock rhythms.
He was one of the leading Nigerian musicians from the late 1970s to mid-1980s.
Okosun's brand of African pop music, Ozzidi, is a synthesis of Afro-beat, reggae and funk music.
Towards the late 1970s, Okosun began to release a string of reggae infused Afro-pop music.
From 1972 to 1974, he led a band that was originally called Paperback Limited but later regrouped as Ozzidi.
Prior to regrouping as Ozzidi, he and some members of his group teamed with Fela and his group, the Koola Lobitos, to play gigs in the Yaba area of Lagos.
On forming Ozzidi, Okosun released several albums either with the band or as a solo artist.
The albums included Ozzidi, Living Music and Ozzidi for Sale.
His early Ozzidi sound combined the highlife roots of his Edo heritage with a touch of guitar riffs.
He had his first break with the single "Help", which sold close to a hundred thousand copies in Nigeria.
The lineup of the Ozzidi band was headed by Okosun as lead vocalist, supported by three backup dancers, a trombone player, keyboardist, bass and trap drums.
From 1977, he became known for protest songs about Pan-Africanism, freedom and a few other social and political issues affecting Africans.
As a young boy, Okosun spent his early childhood with his grandmother at Ibore, near Irrua in Edo State, thereafter, he moved to Enugu to live with his parents and where his father worked with the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
Okosun attended various training schools starting with St Brigid's School, Asata, Enugu before enrolling at a government trade centre in Enugu.
He left the training centre before completing his studies.
Excited by a career in entertainment, he traveled to Lagos to further his interest in acting.
In Lagos, he took drama lessons at a drama school in Surulere but left after a few months returning to Enugu.
In Enugu, Okosun found opportunity in small roles where he participated in a few dramatic productions; he also worked with a notable Enugu drama studies teacher, professor John Okwerri.
His participation in Okwerri's group and his determination to succeed in entertainment led him to be featured in some radio and TV skits with the Eastern Nigeria Television Station.
Okwerri was a member of the Mbari Club, the movement started by Ulli Beier, with J. P. Clark and Wole Soyinka was a meeting spot for artists and writers.
It was there that Okosun began to develop an interest in music.
Appearances at the Eastern regional television station gained him notice from Mariam Okagbue, who bought him a guitar and encouraged him to continue working on music.
His 1977 song "Fire in Soweto" became a major international hit and his first gold album.
He released his first American album in 1984 under Shanachie Records.
His next American record, Which Way Nigeria, was released in 1985 under the EMI label in Nigeria and licensed to Jive Records for international promotions.
He was featured on the anti-apartheid album Sun City, and his song "Highlife" was on the soundtrack of the 1986 film Something Wild.
He released another LP album, Power to the People, followed with a tour in some Nigerian cities.