Sonny Okosun

Sonny Okosun
Also known asSunny Okosuns
Born(1947-01-01)1 January 1947
Edo State, Nigeria
Died24 May 2008(2008-05-24) (aged 61)
Howard University Hospital, Washington DC
GenresHighlife, reggae, gospel music
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Electric guitar, flute, saxophone, electric piano, percussion, vocals
Years active1960s–2000s
LabelsOzzidi sound

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. From 1977, he became known for protest songs about Pan-Africanism, freedom and a few other social and political issues affecting Africans.