Sonny Okosun was a Nigerian musician, who was known as the leader of the Ozzidi band.
18 Facts About Sonny Okosun
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Sonny Okosun named his band Ozzidi after a renowned Ijaw river god, but to Okosun the meaning was "there is a message".
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Sonny Okosun's surname is sometimes spelled Okosuns and his first name Sunny.
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Sonny Okosun was one of the leading Nigerian musicians from the late 1970s to mid-1980s.
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Sonny Okosun attended various training schools starting with St Brigid's School, Asata, Enugu before enrolling at a government trade centre in Enugu.
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Sonny Okosun left the training centre before completing his studies.
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In Enugu, Sonny Okosun found an opportunity in small roles where he participated in a few dramatic productions; he worked with a notable Enugu drama studies teacher, professor John Okwerri.
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Sonny Okosun used the opportunity to tour England attending concerts by the Rolling Stones, The Who, and Herman's Hermits.
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When he returned, Sonny Okosun joined the cast of Ukonu's Club, an Eastern Nigeria Television variety show where he was able to showcase his guitar playing abilities.
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On forming Ozzidi, Sonny Okosun released several albums either with the band or as a solo artist.
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Sonny Okosun had his first break with the single "Help", which sold close to a hundred thousand copies in Nigeria.
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Towards the late 1970s, Sonny Okosun began to release a string of reggae infused Afro-pop music.
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Sonny Okosun was featured on the anti-apartheid album Sun City, and his song "Highlife" was on the soundtrack of the 1986 film Something Wild.
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Sonny Okosun released another LP album, Power to the People, followed with a tour in some Nigerian cities.
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Sonny Okosun released his first American album in 1984 under Shanachie Records.
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Sonny Okosun died aged 61 of colon cancer on 24 May 2008 at Howard University Hospital, Washington DC.
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Sonny Okosun was buried at his residence on Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria.
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Sonny Okosun made music in a number of languages, including Esan, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and English.