Sonni Balli ‘Bids His Final Goodbyes’ To Fans, Friends And Family

Having arrived from Stockwell Methodist Church on Tuesday 12th July 2022 where Mr Sonny Akoanor Junior’s funeral service was held, the Streatham Cemetery on Tooting’s Garratt’s Lane in London was the next port of call for his burial.

Therefore, it arguably cannot be a far-fetched statement to say, the day was a sad day for some people within the Ghanaian community in the UK as throng of well-wishers flood the cemetery.

Some of his music fans, friends and families were in attendance to say farewell to ‘their legend’. Some in tears, others consoling one another for the sudden death of the personality who sang songs such as ‘Elaale’ with Lil Cee, ‘All They See’ ‘Love My Ex’, ‘The Truth’ ‘Ebor Su’ and countless others.

Sonni Balli arguably deserves ‘a big musical pad on his rhythmic shoulders’ for helping to bring Hip-life and Afro-Dancehall to the front light.

‘The Soul Healer’ as fondly called by some fans, also featured in numerous other songs. Some industry executives, producers and other well-wishers were also at the burial grounds.

K-Hi Bangit, a Ghanaian music producer, artiste and a songwriter based in London said this about

Sonni Balli “I had a good relationship with him as soon as I met him. He took me under his wings and showed me love as a brother would.”

The PM, a musician and a DJ who had the opportunity to work with Sonni Balli on a remix project said: “Sonny and I had talked about working together ages before it finally happened.

“I was excited. K-gee, my partner-in-rhyme came to London from California and brought the idea of remixing one of our songs with him, and that’s what we did.

“He brought a different element to the song, and we immediately fell in love with it. A week later, we shot the video.”

Sharing his experience with Sonni Balli, Kingeyez an artiste said: “I met Tic-Tac in Holland and he asked me to come to the UK, and upon my arrival I met I guy called Candyman.

“So, it was through Candyman that I got to meet Sonni Balli who I ended up staying with in Peckham for about a year. Going to the studio together and because of him I stayed in London.”

A fan and friend of Sonni, Nash Momori added: “Whatever Sonni stood for is exactly what has been replicated here, these are pictures of sonni’s life: diversity, having different sort of people all the time, coming around, sharing.

“That boy lived and represented love, humanity, peace and I remember him saying to me once that, there is no peace, without equality. He would rather be equal than to be peaceful.”

BY WILFRED CLARKE.

Source: newsghana.com.gh