D'banj
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), better known by his stage name D'banj, is a Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, entrepreneur and television personality. He has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007,[4] Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009,[5] Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards
D'banj | |
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 D'banj at the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo[1] |
| Born | 9 June 1980[2] Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts | Olamide, Kay switch |
| Website | www |
He adopted the stage name D'banj, a combination of his first name, Dapo, and his surname, Oyebanjo.[4] D'banj is currently best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit "Oliver Twist", an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeats and electronic dance music that topped the African charts in 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart.
Childhood
D'banj, also known as the Kokomaster or Bangalee, was born on 9 June 1980 in Zaria, the northern part of Nigeria to a military officer who commanded an artillery regiment and a devout church dignitary businesswoman who hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State. Due to his father's profession, he moved several times within Nigeria and later moved to England. D'banj was expected to follow his father's military career and was enrolled to the Nigerian Military School at age eleven. However, D'banj resisted the system and disenrolled from the school after three years. While at the Military school he was a member of the elite drum corp of the Nigerian Army. From the Nigerian Military School he proceeded to another military owned institution Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ibara, Abeokuta where he was a church worker. There he completed his secondary school education.[6]
Musical beginning
D'banj was introduced to the harmonica by his late older brother, Femi Oyebanjo, who died in a plane crash at age seventeen.[6] With D'banj's love for music being greater than his parents' military aspirations, he struggled for his parents' approval; this can be best heard through an album track, All Da Way from his debut album.[4]
Following the death of his 17-year-old brother, D'banj arranged all his possessions on his bed after they were brought home and just picked up his harmonica. I'd play it to remember him." Later, at university, he realised the potential of his new skills with the instrument. "I'd go to the female hostel after lectures, and even if there was no electricity I could play there." He remembers learning Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" after Titanic came out – "and that got me a lot of girls!"
D'banj then proceeded to study mechanical engineering at the Lagos State University to, but due to the constant strikes and several irregularities in the school he decided to withdraw. Plans to continue his studies as a mechanical engineer in London were derailed when he arrived in the UK in 2001, and met Don Jazzy who was trying to make it as a songwriter and producer. D'Banj started hanging around the studio, making ends meet while working as a security guard. "It was OK, because I did nights," he says, "so I could listen to music on my headphones."
Don Jazzy told D'Banj he thought he was a star in the making, and sensing that the music scene in Nigeria was "blossoming", the pair returned to Lagos in 2004. That same year came the single "Tongolo"; the video was paid for by D'Banj's mother. It became an instant hit,and gained wide acclaim across the country. His first endorsement was with an energy drink called Power Fist.[7]
Music career
As a tribute to his mentor Fela, D'banj uses a fusion of Afrobeat and Afropop to bring his music to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm as well as a good dose of humour. His songs are based on his life, often hilarious but with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young Nigerian trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English.
2005: No Long Thing
D'banj's debut album, No Long Thing, was released in 2005. It yielded several singles with Tongolo as the lead single. This proved to be his breakthrough single and a hit. It also provided his Koko Master persona, with the term, koko, taking on a variety of meanings. D'banj's debut success led to collaborations with other artists, including Dare Art Alade and Ikechukwu. D'Banj's single koko was used by the PDP (ruling political party in Nigeria) as its campaign theme for the 2007 general elections.
2006: Rundown Funk U Up
D'banj's second album Rundown Funk U Up, which was released in 2006, yielded several singles including the club single, Tongolo (Remix), and the lead single Why Me?. This proved to be another hit.
2007–2008: Curriculum Vitae & The Entertainer
D'banj, as an artist of Mo' Hits Records, is also a member of its collective group, Mo' Hits Allstars (includes artists Dr SID, Wande Coal, KaySwitch, and D'Prince). He has once been spotted with one of Nigeria's most talented singers, "Smile Lasisi". The collective's debut album, Curriculum Vitae, was released in December 2007. It included hit singles, "Be Close To You", "Booty Call" and "Move Your Body", which was the lead single. D'banj was featured in Ikechukwu's 2008 hit, "Wind Am Well".
July 2008 saw the release of D'banj's third album, The Entertainer, with the singles "Gbono Feli Feli", "Kimon", "Olorun Maje" and "Entertainer".[8]
Mo'Hits/G.O.O.D. Music
In June 2011, D'banj was signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music record label as an artiste. On 9 June 2011, D'banj wrote on his Twitter account, @iamdbanj, "Just like yesterday, myself and my brother did Tongolo. 7 years later, Mo'Hits signs with GOOD Music. Best Birthday gift ever. God thank you."[9][10]
In September 2016, it was announced D'banj was released from GOOD Music.[11][12][13]
Mo'Hits break-up
After several months of speculation and wild rumors, ace producer, Don Jazzy confirmed via his Twitter account the break-up of Mo'Hits. After the break-up, Don Jazzy, D'Prince, Dr SID, Wande Coal started Mavin Records[14] while D'banj founded DB Records and as expected, he signed his younger brother Kayswitch to the label alongside two producers, Jaysleek and Deevee.[15]
Sony Entertainment Deal
In December 2012 D'banj signed a mega deal with Sony. Speaking on the importance of the deal to Sony, the managing director of Sony Music Entertainment, Sean Watson, said: "Partnering with D’Banj is a seminal event for us at Sony Music Entertainment Africa. We’ve always admired his talent and to be able to assist with bringing D’Banj’s music to millions of fans, established and new, across the continent is an honour for us. We are very excited about being a part of it."
The deal is being described as a "Pan African, multi-album deal with Sony Music’s RCA Records. It also involves an exclusive management deal with Sony Music and strategic partner ROCKSTAR4000 for the continent. Add to that a multi-album, worldwide exclusive contract with emerging Nigerian singer-songwriter star Kayswitch and a strategic partnership with D’Banj’s Nigerian record label DB Records".[16]
2014
The forthcoming single "Bother You", inspired by the film Half of a Yellow Sun, was released on 7 April 2013, by Mi7 Records and D'banj's label DKM Media.[17] In June 2014 D’banj introduced artists under his record label, which includes him, younger brother Kay Switch, brothers MossKriss and Ralph Kriss and Tonto Dikeh Ebeneztizzy.[18]
2017
He released the album titled King Don Come, with guest features from the likes of Gucci Mane, Wande Coal, Harry Songs, Bucie, Busiswa etc. in August. The album includes singles 'It's Not A Lie', 'El Chapo as well as his 2012 mega hit 'Oliver Twist'.[19]
Live performances
He has performed at Femi Kuti's new Afrikan Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos as well as the Shrine Synchro System's regular London Night at Cargo. He performed at the Black President Concert in memory of Fela's art and legacy at the Barbican in London, and also alongside many international artists in Nigeria like Kelly Rowland at the 1st Edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 in Abuja, Nigeria.[20] D'banj is a regular performer for the annual ThisDay Africa Rising Music Festival.
He was involved in one of the most anticipated events of the season, 'Koko Concert'. This concert consisted of D'Banj, Don Jazzy, Dr SID, Wande Coal, D'Prince plus a few guest appearances including May7ven and comedian Tunde Ednut. The stage was set for a thrilling night – the Koko effect is definitely LIVE in London as fans of D'Banj and Mo' Hits filled the O2 arena to capacity. As expected, the hits just kept coming and the momentum was sustained with on-stage antics from all the artists. In December 2010, the Mo' Hits All Stars brought Koko Concert to Lagos[21] and D'banj kept belting out energetic performances that kept the audience screaming. Colleagues like M.I, eLDee, Jesse Jagz, and Wizkid also joined up on stage. There was also a global premiere of the highly anticipated "Mr Endowed (Remix)" featuring Snoop Dogg and also a recent track "Blame It on the Money" featuring the Californian native and Big Sean.
On 23 June 2012, D'banj performed at the Hackney Weekend to celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics, which was headlined by Jay-Z and Rihanna. He performed alongside his friend, and fellow Universal Music Group label mate, Rita Ora on 30 August 2012 at the SCALA London Live Music, Clubs and Arts Venue to celebrate the release of her debut album Ora.[22] He also performed at the AFCON 2013 closing ceremony held in South Africa. On 18 April 2015, D'banj performed at the Global citizen earth day a Free Concert on Capitol Hill (Washington Monument Grounds) for the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day put on by Global Poverty Project and the Earth Day Network[23]
Endorsements
With D'banj's first album came his first endorsement from an energy drink called Power Fist.[24] In May 2013, D'banj was named the Bank of Industry (BOI) ambassador.[25] In November 2013, D'banj re-signed a multi-million Naira deal with Globacom, the company he parted ways with in 2010.[26] In June 2014 D’Banj Secures Deal With Heritage Bank.[27] In October 2014, D'banj was named the official African ambassador for Beats by Dre.[28] In February 2015, D'banj was named the official African ambassador for Ciroc Nigeria.[29] In an exclusive story on Tush Magazine Issue 11, Banky W and Dbanj shed more lights on how they became Ciroc Ambassadors.[30] In September 2015, D'banj was made the brand ambassador of SLOT, a popular mobile phone, and electronic gadget retail outfit.[31] Dbanj is now among the richest Hip-Hop artists in Nigeria.
Humanitarian work
D'banj is the founder of Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development. He was also Nigeria's first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace.[32] Dbanj is a ONE campaign ambassador; he released the song "Cocoa Na Chocolate" in support of agriculture investments.[33] 'Cocoa Na Chocolate' featured 18 other African artists and won Best African Collaboration at the All Africa Music Awards in 2014.
In 2015, he was applauded by World Bank Chief, Jim Yong Kim for using his music power and high celebrity status to bringing attention to serious and critical issues in Africa with special focus on agriculture and poverty alleviation. Jim Yong Kim was quoted saying that "I had the pleasure of meeting D’banj last month and seeing him perform. I’m thrilled he is the first artists to take part in our new Music4Dev series encouraging global artist to raise awareness about poverty and related issues."[34]
In 2015 D'banj released the video to "Extraordinary" to raise awareness on gender equality and women's empowerment. World bank endorsed song as a song for women awareness.[35]
Projects
D'Banj is vastly immersed in the information technology, particularly in the areas of value-added services and Content digital distribution. He owns MCOMM Ltd (Median Mobile Communications Limited, A Value Added Service Content Provider) and D' Kings Men Media Limited (a 360 Media Company), which are responsible for his major digital moves in recent times.
C.R.E.A.M
In August 2016, D'banj's D'Kings Men Media partnered with MTN Nigeria and the Bank of Industry to launch THE CREAM PLATFORM,[36] a creative talent platform that was set up to help discover young creative minds across Nigeria by just dialing a USSD code on a mobile phone. It is reported that the platform, as at December 2016, had over 2 million paying subscribers and has discovered hundreds of talents from the music category alone, with tens of music videos and millions of Naira[37] given out to winners.[38]
Personal life
D'banj married Lineo Didi Kilgrow in June 2016. He announced the birth of their son, Daniel Oyebanjo III, in May 2017;[39][40][41][42] he drowned in June 2018.[43]
In June 2020, a woman claimed on social media that D'banj had raped her in 2018;[44] a subsequent claim via her social media that said claims were a publicity stunt to promote a new single was later claimed to have been made as a result of Nigerian police detaining her and turning her over to D'banj's management team, who tried to get her to retract the allegations. D'banj denied the accusations, calling them "false allegations and lies from the pit of hell."[45][46]
On 3 July 2020, D'banj sued Seyitan Babatayo, the Nigerian lady, who accused him of rape for N1.5 billion.[47]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| No Long Thing |
|
| RunDown Funk U Up |
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| The Entertainer |
|
| King Don Come |
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| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Vitae |
|
| D'Kings Men |
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEL (Vl) [48] |
BEL (Wa) [49] |
GER [50] |
UK [51] | |||
| 2005 | "Tongolo" (featuring Tola HU) | – | – | – | – | No Long Thing |
| "Socor" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Mobolowowon" | – | – | – | – | ||
| 2006 | "Run Down (Funk U Up)" | – | – | – | – | RunDown Funk U Up |
| "Why Me" | – | – | – | – | ||
| 2007 | "Tongolo Remix" | – | – | – | – | |
| 2008 | "Kimon" | – | – | – | – | The Entertainer |
| "Suddenly" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Gbono Feli Feli" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Entertainer" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Suddenly" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Fall in Love" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Igwe" | – | – | – | – | ||
| 2009 | "Scapegoat" | – | – | – | – | N/A |
| 2010 | "Mr Endowed (Remix)" (featuring Snoop Dogg) |
– | – | – | – | |
| 2012 | "Oliver Twist" | 60 | 68 | 66 | 9 | D'Kings Men |
| "Bachelor" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Cashflow" (D'banj featuring Kay Switch) | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Sister Caro" (Kay Switch featuring D'banj) | – | – | – | – | ||
| 2013 | "Don't Tell Me Nonsense" | – | – | – | – | |
| "Top of the World" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Finally" | – | – | – | – | ||
| 2014 | "Feeling the Nigga" | – | – | – | – | |
| 2015 | "Feeling a Nikka" (Remix) (with Akon) | – | – | – | – | |
| "Extraordinary" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Frosh"[52] (featuring Akon) | – | – | – | – | ||
| 2016 | "Emergency" | – | – | – | ||
| Focus | – | – | – | |||
| 2017 | "Its Not a Lie" | – | – | – | – | King Don Come |
| "El Chapo" | – | – | – | – | King Don Come | |
| 2018 | "Agidi" | – | – | – | – | |
| "Action" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Senrere" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Issa Banger" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Shoulda" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Action" | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Shake It" (featuring Tiwa Savage) | – | – | – | – | ||
Guest appearances
| Year | Title | Other performer(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "The Morning"[53] | Raekwon, Pusha T, Common, 2 Chainz, Cyhi the Prynce, Kid Cudi | Cruel Summer |
Videography
| Year | Title | Director | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Tongolo | ||
| 2006 | Socor | ||
| 2006 | Mobolowowon | ||
| 2015 | Confidential Featuring Idris Elba | N/A | [54] |
| 2015 | Knocking on My Door | N/A | [55] |
| 2015 | Salute Featuring Ice Prince Zamani | N/A | [56] |
| 2016 | Emergency | ||
| 2016 | Superstar | N/A | |
| 2017 | It's Not A Lie | [57] | |
| 2017 | El Chapo | [58] | |
| 2018 | "Action"(Prod. by Pheelz) | ||
| 2018 | "Agidi"(Prod. by Chopstix) | ||
| 2019 | "Mo Cover Eh"Featuring.Slimcase |
Awards and nominations
See also
- List of Nigerian musicians
- African hip hop
- Nigerian hip hop
- BET Awards of 2011
References
- "D'BANJ SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL TO SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT". D'banj Records. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- "D'Banj BIOGRAPHY". DB Records. Archived from the original on 9 September 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- ROCKSTAR4000
- "D'Banj – Full Biography". MTV Base. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- "MTV Africa Music Awards – Winners". MTV Base. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- He also stayed in India for a while with his father.Biography of D'banj Archived 9 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine. dbanjrecords.com. Retrieved on 7 July 2012.
- I'm with D'Banj | Music. The Guardian (30 March 2015). Retrieved on 6 May 2015.
- Newspage Weekly, The Online Edition – Get to know the Koko master Archived 23 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Newspageng.net. Retrieved on 7 July 2012.
- D'banj kokomaster (@iamdbanj) op Twitter. Twitter.com. Retrieved on 7 July 2012.
- "Kanye West Signs Nigerian Acts D'Banj And Don Jazzy". MTV.com. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- Solanke, Abiola. "Dbanj: Kanye Wests G.O.O.D music label officially parts ways with singer". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- "G.O.O.D Music finally confirms D'banj's exit – Nigerian Entertainment Today – Nigeria's Top Website for News, Gossip, Comedy, Videos, Blogs, Events, Weddings, Nollywood, Celebs, Scoop and Games". TheNet.ng. 10 September 2016. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- "D'Banj Dropped by Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music Label? – Vanguard News". VanguardNgr.com. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- Mavin Records Official Website::. Mavinrecords.com. Retrieved on 6 May 2015.
- "About D'Banj Records". DB Records. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- "Nigerian Star D'Banj Signs Mega Deal With Sony Entertainment – Ventures Africa". Ventures-Africa.com. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- WATCH- D'banj set to release new single 'Bother You' inspired by film Half of a Yellow Sun. Flavourmag. Retrieved on 6 May 2015.
- D'Banj Unveils The DB Records Family aka The Lee Family. 360Nobs.com. June 2014.
- "D'Banj's New Album 'King Don Come' Is Here". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- Kelly Rowland Ft Dbanj – Like this (remix) – YouTube. YouTube.com (17 February 2009). Retrieved on 6 May 2015.
- 234Next.com Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. 234Next.com. Retrieved on 6 May 2015.
- Dbanj Performs With Rita Ora « Hitmagtv Archived 5 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- DOWNLOAD:D'banj To Perform Alongside Mary J Blige, Usher, Gwen Stefani at #GlobalCitizensEarthDay2015 –notjustOk. Notjustok.com. Retrieved on 6 May 2015.
- "I am D'banj". The Guardian.
- D'banj unveiled as BOI's ambassador in the creative industry. Boinigeria.com (6 June 2013). Retrieved on 6 May 2015.
- "Glo signs D'banj, Wande Coal as ambassadors". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- Oleniju, Segun (10 June 2014). "D'Banj Secures Deal With Heritage Bank – 36NG". 36ng.com.ng. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- Owoseje, Toyin (10 October 2014). "Nigerian Singer D'banj Named African Ambassador for Apple's Beats by Dre". International Business Times. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
- "The Newest Ambassadors! Banky W & D'banj Land New Endorsement". Bella Naija. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
- "Ciroc Boys of Nigeria covers Tush Magazine Issue 11".
- Tayo, Ayomide O. "Dbanj: Pop superstar lands new endorsement deal, gets Porsche car". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- Home. WFUNA (14 October 2011). Retrieved on 7 July 2012.
- | Title – Do Agric, It Pays| Publisher – ONE. One.org (8 July 2014). Retrieved on 6 May 2015.
- "Singer impresses World Bank boss, Jim Young Kim". Pulse Nigeria. Gbenga Bada. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- "VIDEO: D'banj – Extraordinary". Gqnaija. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- OLAMILOKUN, HAROLD. "C.R.E.A.M". TheCreamPlatform.com. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- "Winners Emerge from the CREAM Lottery Platform & Get Rewarded by D'banj".
- "Superstar D'banj Partners with MTN to Launch the C.R.E.A.M Lottery for Creative Minds".
- "Dbanj, welcomes son Daniel". The Vanguard. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- "THE MOMENT D'BANJ INTRODUCED HIS CUTE SON AND WIFE LIVE ON STAGE (VIDEO)". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- "Dbanj opens up on why he married secretly". Premium Times. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- "Being A Father Is Very Humbling – Dbanj". PM News. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- "Nigerian music star D'banj's son drowns at home". BBC. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- King, Isaac (4 June 2020). "Lady Who Claimed Dbanj Rape Her, Reveals Herself,Shares Old Whatsapp Chats". The African Media. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- "D'Banj's assault allegation: Everything we know so far". The Native. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- correspondent, Emmanuel Akinwotu West Africa (25 June 2020). "Nigerian pop star allegedly abducts woman after she accuses him of rape". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- "Alleged Rape: D'banj Sues Seyitan For N1.5bn Lawsuit". The African Media. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- "Discografie D'Banj". Hung Medien. www.ultratop.be/nl/.
- "Discografie D'Banj". Hung Medien. www.ultratop.be/fr/.
- "Discografie D'Banj". Hung Medien. www.charts.de/.
- Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
- For "Oliver Twist": "Chart Archive > 26 May 2012". Official Charts Company. 26 May 2012.
- "D'banj Singer flaunts dapper looks as he features Akon In 'Frosh' video". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- "Cruel Summer – Various Artists > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- "D'banj, Idris Elba, Shadow Boxxer Stars are funny in silly 'Confidential' visual". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- "D'banj Singer opens new US house in 'Knocking on my door' video". Pulse.com.gh. Joey Akan. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- "D'banj, Ice Prince Stars display wealth and swag in 'Salute'". Pulse.com.gh. Joey Akan. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- Solanke, Abiola. "D"banj "It"s not a lie" number 1 on Pulse music video chart". Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- "VIDEO: D'banj – EL CHAPO ft. Gucci Mane & Wande Coal – NotjustOk". NotjustOk. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
External links
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