Sound Sultan is immortalized on 'Journey Back Home,' by Bankulli and Tome
An avatar of the rapidly urbanizing face of Nigerian pop at the turn of the 2000s, Sound Sultan was instrumental in the evolution of Nigerian music to become a leading force in the global pop landscape.
Four months ago, Nigerian music suffered an inestimable loss with the passing of the commercially successful and critically-acclaimed singer, Sound Sultan. An avatar of the rapidly urbanizing face of Nigerian pop at the turn of the 2000s, Sound Sultan was instrumental in the evolution of Nigerian music to become a leading force in the global pop landscape, taking influence from the local oral tradition and mixing it with the forward-thinking propulsion of hip-hop and R&B.
As prolific as he was inventive, Sultan left a steller oeuvre that had classics like Naija 007, SS4, and the retro-futurist Back To The Future where he tackled poverty, corruption, and socio-political degradation in his enthusiastic but empathic fashion.
To celebrate the legacy of the legendary singer, respected A&R, songwriter, and singer, Bankulli, has teamed up with Canadian-Nigerian afro-fusion singer, Töme, to release a single that pays homage to his personality and far-reaching impact on the growth of Nigeria, and African, music. Named “Motherland” after one of Sultan’s most iconic singles, the song is a pithy recognition that Sound Sultan has ascended to be with the elders and is now at a better place, unencumbered by earthly concerns.
Produced by the celebrated production duo, Legendury Beatz, “Motherland” is spiced by harmonious horns that pay tribute to afrobeat, a major influence on Sound Sultan, and Töme rides the minimalist wave of the instrumental to situate her own path in the journey narrated by Sound Sultan all those years ago while Bankulli provides a sturdy base to balance her wanderlust against. In the spirit of the song being a tribute to Sound Sultan, all proceeds from the song are being donated to the Sound Sultan family and estate.
Post a Comment