RetroTunesThursday: Welcome to the 70s; Meet Sonny Okosun

49thStreet
November 11, 2021
1:48 pm

Sonny Okoson was a multitalented Highlife, Afrorock, Reggae and Gospel Singer who led the Ozzidi Band. He was a multi-instrumentalist; he played the Electric Guitar, Saxophone, Flute, Electric Piano and Percussion. The Band Ozzidi was named after an Ijaw River god.

THE FORMATIVE YEARS

As a young boy, Okoson had a very strong passion for entertainment, acting especially. His passion led him to travel down to Lagos from Enugu to take some acting lessons but he soon travelled back to Enugu after some months in Lagos. He was however able to secure some roles in movie production. His big break in the movie industry came after he worked with Professor John Okwerri, a popular figure in Enugu. Okwerri’s influence played a huge role in his acting career; Okoson was able to meet with J.P. Clark and Wole Soyinka whom were fellow members of the Mbari Club – a meeting spot for writers and artistes – with Okwerri. After a few meetings with the members of the Mbari Club, he started developing interest in music. Okoson featured on some TV and Radio skits with the Eastern Nigeria Television Station, his appearances on the television got the attention of Mariam Okagbu who gifted him a guitar to support his musical career.

In 1965, Okosun’s group won a drama competition having interpreted J.P. Clark’s Song of a Goat and Okwerri’s Masquerades into a drama. After this feat, Okosun’s group represented Nigeria at the 1965 Commonwealth Arts Festival in London, his journey outside the country was more than just representing Nigeria at the Commonwealth Arts Festival, it was more of a journey to self-discovery as he attended various concerts in England such as the concerts of the Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits and The Who, gaining the much needed exposure to the world of music in the process. His return to Nigeria came with an opportunity to show off his gifts with the guitar as he joined the Okonu’s Club.

Okosun began his official journey into the music industry by joining the band, The Postmen, who played covers of Rock songs from the Beatles and Elvis Presley. The outbreak of the civil war forced Okosun to quit the band and also relocate to Lagos from the Eastern Region. In 1969, he joined the band of the Late Prof. Victor Uwaifo, The Maestros, as a back-up guitarist. He was also part of The Maestros when they toured Japan and Europe; this gave him further exposure to new sounds and new aspects of the music business. He was able to develop his own unique sound; Afrobeats fused with Rock.

THE MUSIC JOURNEY

Sonny Okosun left the Maestros to start his own band, Paperback Limited, and they existed between 1972 and 1974. Paperback Limited in its early years formed and unofficial trio with Fela Kuti’s Koola Lobitos and the Hykkers (insert link of the hykkers article); they were called Fela’s Afro-Family. The three Bands often performed together in Lagos. Upon disbanding the group, he formed Ozzidi. With a new band came a new sound; the new band played a fusion of Soul, Reggae and Funk.

Ozzidi got its first break out song in 1976 with the song titled “Help” which sold almost 100,000 copies Nationwide. 1977 came with bigger tides for Okosun; the band got to work with Reggae heavyweight Eddy Grant who mixed their “Papa Land” album. Okosun and Ozzidi had a bigger hit song on his hands; “Fire in Soweto” became an international hit song and also his first gold album. “Fire in Soweto” was an anti-apartheid song that protested against the ill treatment of the Blacks in South Africa.

Okosun used his greatest weapon, his voice, to fight social injustice and also foster unity among Africans and the Black race at large. Towards the late 70s, Okoson evolved his style of music to make Reggae music laced with Afro-Pop.

In 1978 he released the album “Holy Wars”, and went on tour with Reggae legends Jimmy Cliff and Toots and The Maytals. His 1981 album, 3rd World got him an international licensing deal with the London based Indie label Oti and the US based Celluloid. His international record deal brought him to the apex of his career as he got international recognition and placements; his song “Fire in Soweto” was featured on the Anti-Apartheid album titled Sun City making him the only African artiste on the star studded album. He released “Liberation” in 1984 under the US based record label, Shanachie Records. In 1985 he released “Which Way Nigeria?” under EMI, and the album was licensed to Jive Records for international promotions. In 1986, his song “Highlife” was on the soundtrack for the Jonathan Demmie directed movie, Something Wild.

SWITCH TO GOSPEL MUSIC

The late 80s saw a decline in his career. He became born again and became a gospel artiste towards the late 80 and early 90s. He released the album “Songs of Praise” in 1993. In 1998, he released his second gospel album titled “Revival”. He founded a Lagos based church, House of Prayer Ministry.