D’Banj was born as Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo in the Northern city of Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria to an artillery Officer and a church dignitary whom hailed from Shagamu in Ogun state.
Due to his father’s job, D’Banj moved several times within Nigeria as well as abroad to India.
He was sent to Nigerian military school at age 11 and was expected to enter the military like his father, but at 14 D’Banj picked up a weapon of different kind and altogether more peaceful; the harmonica. He was introduced to this instrument by his late elder brother, Femi Oyebanjo who tragically died in a plane crash at age 17 on his way en route Lagos from NigerianMilitarySchool, Zaria. His brother’s harmonica was one of his possessions recovered after the incidence and D’BANJ started to cherish it. His incredible harmonica skills are self taught; he says, “I play the harmonica like it was built for me”.
D’Banj became more and more involved in music and he cannot see himself doing anything else with the same passion. His song “All The Way” is about the struggles he has faced with his parents over his chosen career.
Dapo has now adopted the elegant, almost French-sounding name “D’Banj”, a combination of his first name Dapo and his surname Oyebanjo.
He has recorded songs with established artistes like Ruggedman, JJC & 419 Squad, Weird MC, El Dee Da Don, Ikechukwu, SID and the newest sensations like; Wande Coal and D’ Prince among others.
He has also performed along side many international artiste here in Nigeria; Bennie Man, Wayne Wonder, Kevin Little, Ja Rule and was adjudge the best Nigerian performer at the THIS DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL which was held in Nigeria in October, 2006. He performed at the mentioned show along side international music icons like Beyonce, Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliot, En Vogue, Ciara.
He performed at “History of love 101 concert” alongside Donell Jones, 112, Kenny Lati Moore and Chante Moore on the 10th Of February, 2007.
As a tribute to his mentor Fela, D'banj brings afrobeat 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 African trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English. All his albums are solely produced by Don Jazzy and himself.
D’Banj is moving from height to greater height everyday.
DBanj Albums
No Long Thing is a the debut Album by Dbanj it was released in 2005.
Track listing
- "Intro"
- "Tongolo"
- "Socor"
- "Pastor (Skit)"
- "All Da Way"
- "Iya Mi"
- "Mr. Olopa"
- "Witches (Skit)"
- "Mobolowowon"
- "Ika O Da"
- "Ask Me" ft. Kween
- "Na Lie" ft. Nova & Raga Remi
Very good and precised profile of Dapo Oyebanjo Biography.
ReplyDeleteWith the way that he is going in the Nigeria Music Industry, he will be one of the greatest musician in Nigeria like Fela.