Sonny Okosun was born on New Year’s day of 1947. Until his death on May 24, 2008, Okosun was a respected Nigerian musician and social crusader. He was  the leader of the Ozzidi band.

Okosun was one of the leading Nigerian musicians from the late 1970s through the mid-90s.

He grew up with his grandmother at Ibore, near Irrua in Edo State, Nigeria before moving to Enugu to live with his parents.

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.