Discography of Sonny Okosun
Sonny Okosun (sometimes called "Sonny Okosuns"), who hails from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, started his first band, the Postmen, in 1964, then served several years in the group of Victor Uwaifo before launching Paperback Ltd. (soon renamed Ozziddi) in 1972.
Ozziddi's first few releases, with their catchy, rock-inflected melodies and topical lyrics were all big hits in Nigeria, but 1977's "Fire in Soweto" really put Okosun on the map internationally. Further attention came in the early eighties with the release of "Liberation," a "best-of" compilation on the American Shanachie label, and a number of international tours.
Okosun's supposed "controversial" lyrics in the 1970s and 1980s about South Africa and the plight of the Third World were actually not at all radical in the African context. In this regard it is interesting to compare Okosun's career with that of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti , who faced genuine hardship as a result of his pointed attacks on the Nigerian elite.
Sonny Okosun's career faded in the late 1980s, but the singer roared back in 1994 with the smash gospel album "Songs of Praise," which won a number of Nigerian music awards. Since then, "Evangelist Sonny Okosuns" has ridden a wave of Christian evangelism in Nigeria to become that country's foremost gospel musician, with a growing fan base in other parts of the world. - John Beadle
He passed away on May 25, 2008 in Washington, DC.
1971?
Sonny Okosuns and The Paperback Limited
Iye Do b/w Rice and Beans (7" Nigeria, HMV HNS1096)
1972?
Sonny Okosuns' Ozziddi
Steady & Slow b/w O' Jesu (7" Nigeria, HMV HNS1096)
1976
Sonny Okosun
Ozidizm (LP; Capitol/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NCC(LP)3701)
[A] Adesua / Help / My Ancestors
[B] Ozidizm / Don't Cry / Chinelo / O'Jesu
1977
Sonny Okosun
Living Music
(LP; Capitol/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NCC(LP)3702)(LP; Pathe Marconi [France] C062-82200)?
[A] Living Music / Oduduwa
[B] Odenigbo / Edo
1977
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
Ozziddi for Sale
(LP; Capitol/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NCC(LP)3703)
[A] Wait / Festival of the Hunters
[B] Chant of the Slave / Let My People Go
--
"Festival of the Hunters" is labeled "Festival" on the record label.
1977?
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
Papa's Land
(LP; EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NEMI(LP)0232)
[A] Rain / Papa's Land
[B] Jah Love / Jungle Beat
1977?
Sonny Okosun
Meets Lord Superior (LP; EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NEMI(LP)0246)
[A] Bleech People / Lagos High Cost of Living / Space Race to The Moon and Sun
[B] Mercy / Lagos Taxi / Eselle
1977
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
Papa's Land / For Sale (12" 45; Path? Marconi [France] reference number not known)?
1977?
Sonny Okosuns
Fire in Soweto
(LP; EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NEMI(LP)0330)
(LP; Oti Bros. & Co. [London] OTI(LP)058)(LP; Path? Marconi [France] reference number not known)
[A] Fire in Soweto / Liberation
[B] Steady & Slow / Revolution
1978
Sonny Okosun
Holy Wars
(LP; EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NEMI(LP)0350)
[A] Holy Wars / War of Nations
[B] Weep Not Children / The Light of Jah
1978
Sonny Okosun
Meets Lord Superior (LP; EMI Pathe Marconi [France]062-82425)
[A] Bleech People / Lagos High Cost of Living / Space Race To The Moon And Sun
[B] Mercy / Lagos Taxi / Eselle
1977?
Sonny Okosun
Fire in Soweto / Papa's Land
(7" 45; Radic [UK] RIC 105)
1978-79?
Sonny Okosun
Power To The People
(LP; EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NEMI(LP)0400)
[A] Let THere Be Light / Power To The People
[B] The Dance of The Elephants / The Struggle Continues
1980?
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
Sonny Okosun in 1980
(LP; EMI Nigeria [Lagos] RADIC001)
[A] Papa's land / With Love
[B] Fire in Soweto / Give Peace A Chance
1980?
Sonny Okosun
Fire in Soweto / Papa's Land (7" 45; Radic [UK] RIC 105)(12" 45; Radic [UK] RIC 105)
1980?
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
The Gospel of Ozziddi
(LP; EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NEMI(LP)0530)
[A] No More Wars / We're in Love
[B] Carnival / O'Namibia
--
The title of the LP is given as "My Generation" on the record label.
1980
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
3rd World
(LP; EMI Nigeria [Lagos] NEMI(LP)0500) (LP; Oti Bros. & Co. [London] OTI(LP)0550)
(LP; Makossa [Brooklyn, NY, US] M2397)
[A] Third World / Tire Ni Oluwa
[B] Tell Them / My Woman
1982
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
Live in Varadero
(LP; His Master's Voice/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] HMV(N)030)
[A] Mother & Child / I Remember
[B] Amen / Wonderful Jah
1982
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
Mother & Child
(LP; His Master's Voice/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] HMV(N)030)
(LP; Oti Bros. & Co. [London] OTI(LP)030)
[A] Mother & Child / My Cherie Koko
[B] Amen / Olu Ebube
--
A peculiar situation! The Nigerian sleeve for "Mother & Child" contains the disc "Live in Varadero," which has the same reference number. The Nigerian & British sleeves for "Mother & Child" are identical, and both list a song which is not on the record, "Sound of Music," instead of "Amen."
1982?
Sonny Okosuns Ozzidi
Mother & Child / My Cherie Koko (12" 45; Oti Bros. & Co. [London] OTI (D) 030)
1983
Sonny Okosuns "Ozziddi"
Togetherness
(LP; His Master's Voice/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] HMV(N)033)
[A] Togetherness / Olorun Mose
[B] Oba Erediauwa / Highlife
1983
Various Artists
Black Star Liner: Reggae From Africa
(LP; Heartbeat Records [Cambridge, MA, USA] 16)
[A] Third World (Sonny Okosun) / Carry On (Sabanoh 75) / You Can Make It (Cloud "7") / Still Searching (Bongoes Ikwue & the Groovies)
[B] Leaking Heart (Sabanoh 75) / Destiny (Victor Uwaifo & his Titibitis) / Kokolioko (Miatta Fahnbulleh) / Fire in Soweto (Sonny Okosun)
1984
Sonny Okosun
Which Way Nigeria?
(LP; His Master's Voice/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] HMV(N)036)
(LP; Jive Afrika [New York] JL8-8247)
[A] African Woman / Which Way Nigeria?
[B] Tell My People / My Ancestors
1984
Sonny Okosun
Which Way Nigeria? / African Woman
(12" 45; Jive Afrika [Germany] 626009AP)
1984
Sonny Okosun
Liberation
(LP; Shanachie [US] 43019)
[A] Tell Them / Highlife / Liberation
[B] Amen / Olu Ebube / Tire Ni Oluwa
1984?
Sonny Okosun
Highlife
(12" EP 45; Shanachie [US] SH-5011)
[A] Highlife (Dance Version)
[B] Highlife (Radio Version) / Highlife (Dub Version)
1985
Sonny Okosuns
Revolution II
(LP; His Master's Voice/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] HMV(N)038)
[A] Revolution / We Want a Leader
[B] Nelson Mandela / Olusegun
1986
Various Artists
Something Wild (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(LP; recording information unavailable)
(CD; MCA [US] MCAD 6194)
[A] Loco de Mer (Crazy for Love) (David Byrne & Celia Cruz) / Ever Fallen in Love? (Fine Young Cannibals) / Zero, Zero Seven Charlie (UB40) / Not My Slave (Oingo Boingo) / You Don't Have to Cry (Jimmy Cliff)
[B] With You or Without You (Steve Jones) / Highlife (Sonny Okosun) / Man With a Gun (Jerry Harrison) / Temptation ( New Order) / Wild Thing (Sister Carol)
1986
Sonny Okosuns
Africa Now or Never
(LP; His Master's Voice/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] HMV(N) 050)
[A] Now or Never / Man on the Run
[B] Warrior / I've Got a Reason
Late 1980s?
Sonny Okosuns
Message
(LP; Pling Plong [Netherlands] MFR 120714)
[A] ?
[B] ?
Late 1980s?
Sonny Okosuns
Happy Days
(LP; His Master's Voice/EMI Nigeria [Lagos] HMV(N)058)
[A] Holy Wars / War of Nations
[B] Weep Not Children / The Light of Jah
Early 1990s
Sonny Okosuns
Wind of Change
(CD; Ivory Music [Lagos] IVR 001)
?
1991
Various Artists
Konkombe: The Nigerian Pop Music Scene
(Videocassette; Shanachie Home Video [US])
(DVD; Shanachie Home Video [US])
--
Part of the mid-'80s BBC television documentary series "Beats of the Heart," this video features interviews and performances by Sonny Okosun, King Sunny Ade, Warrior and others.
1991
Sonny Okosuns
African Soldiers
(CD; Profile [New York] PCD 4414)
African Soldiers / Festival (Idea) / King of Kings / Woman / Wind of Change / Mohammed / Babylon / Happy Days
1994
Sonny Okosuns
Songs of Praise
(CD; Ivory Music [Lagos]/ AVC Music [London] IVRCD025)
?
Early 1990s
Evangelist Sonny Okosun
Songs of Praise 2: Jesus is Lord
(Cassette; Ivory Music [Lagos] IVR 049)
[A]ÊHoly! Holy! Holy! / Hallowed be Thy Name / Jesus is Lord / I Know I Know / There is Power in His Blood / Oh the Name of Jesus / I am Standing on the Rock / Jesus is Knocking / I Surrender / Today Jesus Will Answer Me
[B] Mimo Mimo Mimo / Edumare Tobi / Jesu Femi / Osa Baba / Olu Ebube / Ike Di No Obaraya / Seriki Duniya / Jesu Olusele / Osa Baba / Moyewo Tiente Jehovah / Siro Oghene / Osa Baba
1996
Sonny Okosuns
The Ultimate Collection
(CD; AVC Music [London] AVC-CD 003)
Motherless Child / Elomo / I Am the Stone / No More Wars / Papa's Land / Fire in Soweto / Tire Ni Oluwa / Holy Wars / Man on the Run / Mother & Child
2000
Evangelist Sonny Okosun
2000 The Year of the Lord
(CD; Biz Production, no reference number)
Jesus is Coming Back / Year 2000 (Is the year of the Lord) / The Holy Ghost Song / Jesus Give Me Your Light / This the Day / Hallelujah / Let it Be / Edumare Soro Mi Dayo / Kilo Ba e Leru Ko Wi / Today - The Day the Lord has Made / Hosannah
2000
Evangelist Sonny Okosuns
Celebrate! & Worship in Caribbean Rhythms
(CD; God's Glory Records, reference number not known)
Hosannah (Extended Version) / Know Jesus Know Life / Let It Be / Medley / A Great Change / God's Army / Save Our Souls / Hallelujah / This Is The Day / Mt. Zion / Who's Like Unto Thee / Jesus Knows The Way / What Manner Of Man / Jesus Give Me Your Light
2001
Evangelist Sonny Okosuns
Be Glorified
(CD; God's Glory Records, reference number not known)
My Great Story / Ni Oruko Jesu / When Jesus Says Yes / Don't worry / Chuku Di/ I Love the Man / God of Daniel / Our Father/ Be Glorified / Jehovah / Thank You Jesus / Mo De Oluwa / Big Big Thing / The Difference is Clear / Ebi Ebi / Kumba ya Mi Lord / Joy of the Lord / Ziga ha Ozi / God of Miracle / Ogaa di Mma / Jesu Mae Rebhe / Victory Song
2002
Evangelist Sonny Okosuns
Revival
(CD; Ivory Music [Lagos] CDIVR099)
Revival / Who's Like Unto The Oh Lord / Jesus Knows The Way / The Day Jesus Was Crucified / God Of Abraham, Isaac And Jacob / Semi Swemoi Radiaye / Aqbara Esu Wo / Kenelum Jehovah / Mountain Move / Eleshe / Gberure / Bunie Ya / Chukwu Nuru Onum / Aijemhen Tamawa / God Of Victory
2002
Evangelist Sonny Okosuns
S.O.S. Save Our Souls
(CD; Ivory Music [Lagos] CDIVR124)(CD; label unknown HRX 98 [2004?, as "Save Our Soul"))
Mount Zion / Know Jesus Know Life / Spirit Of The Lord / Save Our Souls / What Manner Of Man / Talo Da Bi Re / To Ya To Ya / Afi Die Be / No Controversy / Living Music (Ishan)
2002
Evangelist Sonny Okosuns
The Glory of God
(CD; Ivory Music [Lagos] CDIVR160)
The Glory Of God / All Glory / Edumare Soro Mi Dayo / Oh Happy Day / Oti Di Ofo / Satan Comot For Road / Eze Jesus / Jesus Christ Is The Answer / The Day The Lord Has Made / Kilo Mba E Leru Kowi / Enwerorm Aja / Jesus Oyon Hini / Dry Bones (Shall Rise Again)
-- This discography was compiled by John Beadle, in cooperation with Toshiya Endo, at P.O. Box 100174, Milwaukee, WI 53210 USA.
For weblog, visit (http://likembe.blogspot.com/), and
E-mail to John Beadle
Special thanks to: Anders H. Ilgren, Damian..
Last updated on June 1, 2016.
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