Sonny Okosun

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. 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. 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. Okosun found an 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. 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. 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.

In 1966, he joined the band the Postmen While, he was with Uwaifo, he honed his skills in musical composition by experimenting with a fusion of African and rock rhythms. The albums included Ozzidi, Living Music and Ozzidi for Sale. The band's early sound blended the highlife traditions of his Edo heritage with guitar-driven arrangements. The Times also noted that Ozzidi fused elements of Congolese rumba, western rock, Latin and calypso rhythms".

He had his first break with the single "Help", which sold close to a hundred thousand copies in Nigeria.

1980s 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.

His mainstream success started to fade in the late 1980s, but he continued his career as a gospel musician under the name Evangelist Sonny Okosun.

Later life Okosun died aged 61 of colon cancer on 24 May 2008 at Howard University Hospital, Washington DC. He was buried at his residence on Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria.

His musical styles included reggae, highlife, Afro-funk, and gospel, among others.

Discography Ozzidi (1976) Ozzidi For Sale (1976) Living Music (NCC, 1977) Papa's Land (NCC, 1977) Fire in Soweto (OTI, 1978) Holy Wars (NEMI, 1978) 3rd World (NEMI, 1981) Mother And Child (OTI, 1982) Which Way Nigeria? (Jive Afrika, 1983) Liberation (Shanachie, 1984) Revolution II (HMV, 1985) Africa Now Or Never (HMV, 1986) Ozzidi/Ozone (1989) African Soldier (Profile, 1991)