D’banj, born Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo on June 9, 1980, is a Nigerian artist renowned for his music, rap, and TV presence.
His stage moniker, D’banj, combines his first name, Dapo, with his surname, Oyebanjo. He co-founded Mo’ Hits Records alongside producer Don Jazzy. D’banj gained prominence for his track “Oliver Twist,” a lively blend of Afrobeats and electronic dance music which dominated African charts in 2011.
Early life
D’banj, also known as the Kokomaster or Bangalee, was born in Zaria, Nigeria’s northern region, to a military officer father and a deeply religious businesswoman mother from Shagamu in Ogun State. He has twin siblings, Taiwo and Kehinde Oyebanjo. Despite his parents’ hopes for him to pursue a military career like his father, D’banj gravitated towards music, influenced by his late older brother, Femi Oyebanjo, who introduced him to the harmonica before tragically passing away in a plane crash at seventeen. The quest for his parents’ approval became a central theme in his music, notably evident in tracks like “All Da Way” from his debut album.
Career
D’banj’s first album, “No Long Thing,” debuted in 2005, featuring hit singles like “Tongolo,” which propelled his rise and established his Koko Master persona, with “koko” assuming various meanings. The success of his debut album led to collaborations with artists such as Dare Art Alade and Ikechukwu.
In 2006, D’banj released his second album, “Rundown Funk U Up,” which produced several singles, including the club hit “Tongolo (Remix)” and the lead single “Why Me?”.
In 2007, D’Banj’s single “Koko” was adopted by the PDP, Nigeria’s ruling political party, as its campaign theme for the general elections. He also joined Mo’Hits Records, collaborating with artists like Dr SID, Wande Coal, KaySwitch, and D’Prince in the collective group Mo’ Hits Allstars, which released their debut album, “Curriculum Vitae,” in December 2007.
D’banj’s third album, “The Entertainer,” dropped in July 2008, featuring singles like “Gbono Feli Feli,” “Kimon,” “Olorun Maje,” and “Entertainer.” In June 2011, he signed with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music record label, marking a significant milestone in his career. However, in September 2016, it was announced that D’banj had parted ways with G.O.O.D Music.
In December 2012, D’banj inked a significant deal with Sony, described by the managing director of Sony Music Entertainment as a “Pan African multi-album deal with Sony Music’s RCA Records.” This deal also included an exclusive management agreement with Sony Music and strategic partner ROCKSTAR4000 for the continent. Additionally, it entailed 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.
In 2014, D’banj released the single “Bother You,” inspired by the film “Half of a Yellow Sun,” through Mi7 Records and his label, DKM Media. He also introduced artists under his record label, including his younger brother Kay Switch, MossKriss, Ralph Kriss, Tonto Dikeh, and Ebeneztizzy.
In 2017, he dropped the album “King Don Come,” featuring guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Wande Coal, Harry Songs, Bucie, Busiswa, among others. The album included singles like “It’s Not A Lie,” “El Chapo,” as well as his 2012 mega-hit “Oliver Twist.”
Personal life
In June 2016, D’banj tied the knot with Lineo Didi Kilgrow, and in May 2017, they welcomed their son, Daniel Oyebanjo III. Tragically, their child passed away in June 2018.
Controversies
In June 2020, D’banj faced allegations of rape from Seyitan Babatayo, who accused him of assaulting her in 2018. She came forward after D’banj posted about opposing rape on social media, citing a desire to address what she perceived as hypocrisy. Following her accusation, Seyitan went missing for two days, during which her social media accounts were allegedly manipulated to retract her claims. She later stated that she had been abducted by the Nigerian police and handed over to D’banj’s management team, who coerced her into making the retraction posts. D’banj refuted the allegations, labeling them as false and originating from malicious intent.
After several days, Babatayo announced that she and D’banj had reached a “non-monetary” settlement, expressing a desire for peace. However, on July 3, 2020, D’banj filed a lawsuit against Babatayo for N1.5 billion. Additionally, D’banj’s former manager, Franklin Amudo, disclosed that Babatayo had informed him about the alleged assault by D’banj the day after it occurred.
Legal issues
On December 7, 2022, D’banj was arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with alleged fraud related to the N-Power project. The arrest followed D’banj’s repeated refusal to respond to ICPC invitations regarding his suspected involvement in diverting funds earmarked for the N-Power initiative, which aims to address unemployment and enhance social development in Nigeria.
Premium Times reported that D’banj surrendered himself at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja after evading summons for several weeks, citing prior international commitments. Allegations suggest that D’banj collaborated with government officials to include nonexistent beneficiaries in the N-Power payment system, redirecting funds meant for genuine recipients to accounts linked to him. Investigations have tracked the flow of funds to accounts associated with D’banj.
Upon his arrest, D’banj underwent extensive questioning and was subsequently detained after his request for administrative bail was denied by ICPC officials. The Guardian newspaper has indicated that the anti-graft agency is contemplating pressing charges against D’banj for alleged fraud and misappropriation of funds once their investigation is completed.
These legal issues have sparked widespread attention and raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the N-Power project, as well as the potential involvement of prominent individuals in financial impropriety.
Influence
D’banj has had a significant influence on the Nigerian music industry and beyond. As one of the pioneers of the Afrobeats genre, he helped popularize the fusion of African rhythms with contemporary music styles, contributing to the global spread of African music. His unique sound and energetic performances have earned him a dedicated fan base and have inspired countless artists both within and outside Nigeria.
Moreover, D’banj’s entrepreneurial spirit and success as a businessman have made him a role model for aspiring musicians and entrepreneurs. He co-founded Mo’ Hits Records, which played a crucial role in shaping the Nigerian music scene and launching the careers of several renowned artists. Additionally, his ventures into fashion, entertainment, and endorsement deals have solidified his status as a multifaceted and influential figure in the entertainment industry.
Furthermore, D’banj’s philanthropic efforts, including his involvement in initiatives to empower youth and promote social development, have further enhanced his influence and reputation as a positive force for change. Overall, D’banj’s impact on music, business, and society underscores his enduring influence in Nigeria and beyond.
Net Worth
Estimated to be over 15 million dollars