King Sunny Adé Biography, Education, Career, Controversies, And Net Worth
|Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye MFR, professionally known as King Sunny Adé, born on 22 September 1946 in Ondo, Nigeria, is a renowned jùjú singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He emerged as one of the first African pop musicians to achieve international success and is considered one of the most influential musicians globally.
King Sunny Adé Profile
Name | King Sunny Adé |
Real Name | Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye |
Date of Birth | 22 September 1946 |
Age | 77 years |
State of Origin | Ondo State |
Tribe | Yoruba |
Nationality | Nigerian |
Occupation | Jùjú singer, Songwriter, and Multi-instrumentalist |
Religion | Christianity |
Marital Status | Married |
Net Worth | $11 Million |
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Educational Background
Sunny Adé left grammar school in Ondo City, later embarking on his eclectic musical career in Lagos, distancing himself from the initially intended University of Lagos path.
Career
Sunny Adé’s musical journey began in the 1960s, initially with Moses Olaiya’s Federal Rhythm Dandies, a highlife band. In 1967, he formed his band, The Green Spots, later known as African Beats and Golden Mercury. Influenced by Juju pioneer Tunde Nightingale, Sunny Adé’s style evolved, earning him international acclaim.
Signed to Island Records in 1982, Sunny Adé gained global recognition with albums like “Juju Music” (1982) and “Synchro System” (1983), the latter earning him a Grammy nomination, a first for a Nigerian artist. Over the years, Sunny Adé’s band underwent name changes, reflecting changes in music and business dynamics.
Founded the King Sunny Ade Foundation, fostering young musicians through a performing arts center and recording studio. He is a visiting lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University. In the 1980s, Sunny Adé ventured into Hollywood, contributing music to films like “Breathless” (1983) and acting in Robert Altman’s “O.C. and Stiggs” (1987). He also appeared in a few Nollywood movies in the early 2000s.
King Sunny Adé awards are as follows; AFRIMA Award (2016): Recipient of the All Africa Music Awards. Hard Rock Cafe Hall of Fame (2016): Inducted into the prestigious hall of fame, and Headies Hall of Fame (2021): Inducted into The Headies Hall of Fame, marking his lasting impact on the Nigerian music scene.
Controversies
King Sunny Adé has maintained a relatively low profile regarding controversies throughout his illustrious career, focusing more on his musical contributions.
King Sunny Adé Social Media Handles
King Sunny Adé is active on social media, he can be found on Instagram@.
Personal Life
Born into a Nigerian royal family from Ondo and Akure, Sunny Adé, an Omoba of the Yoruba people, inherited musical influence from his father, a church organist, and family members like Oba Adesida I and Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II. Despite being a private individual, he has contributed significantly to the music industry and serves as the chairperson of the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria.
King Sunny Adé Net Worth
King Sunny Adé is estimated to be worth around $11 Million.