Saturday 20 October 2012

Joshuaz Rec



    Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo (popularly known as D'banj, born June 9, 1980), is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and harmonica player. He has won several music awards including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007,[1] Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009.[2] and BET Awards of 2011 for Best International Act; Africa. He adopted the stage name D'banj, a combination of his first name Dapo and his surname Oyebanjo.[1] D'banj is currently best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit "Oliver Twist", an uptempo dance fusion of Afro-Beats and electronic dance music that topped the African charts 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching #2 on the UK R&B chart.

    Childhood

    D'banj was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria to a military officer who commanded an artillery regiment and a church dignitary mother who hailed from Shagamuin 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 completed his secondary school education.[3]

    [edit]
    Music career

    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 Nigerian trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English. All his albums are solely produced by Don Jazzy and himself.

    [edit]
    Over the weekend, D’banj dropped new dance track “Oyato,” his first official release since the insanely popular “Oliver Twist” and since signing to Kanye West‘s G.O.O.D. Music imprint. “Oyato” features the usual Naija-pop suspects: synth melodies, heavy beat and, even, some of D’banj’s harmonica-playing — a talent he’s showcased before. Hear and download the track below.

    [edit]
    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 artiste and producer respectively. On June 9, 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."[6]

    [edit]
    Humanitarian work

    D'banj is a founder of Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development. He is also Nigeria's first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace.[10]

    [edit]
    Albums

    TitleAlbum details
    No Long Thing
    RunDown Funk U Up
    The Entertainer
    Mr Endowed

    [edit]
    Singles

    YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
    UK
    2005"Tongolo ft Tola HU"—No Long Thing
    "Socor"—
    "Mobolowowon"—
    2006"Run Down"—Rundown Funk U Up'
    "Why Me"—
    2007"Move Your Body" (featuring Wande Coal)—
    2008"Kimon"—The Entertainer
    "Olorun Maje"—
    "Gbono Fele"—
    "Entertainer"—
    "Suddenly"—
    "Fall In Love"—
    "Igwe"—
    2009"Scapegoat"—Mr Endowed
    2010"Mr Endowed"—
    "Mr Endowed" (remix) (featuring Snoop Dogg)—
    2012"Oliver Twist"9

    [edit]

    Awards

            Won
      Video for D'banj. Oliver twist
         
    Posted by at No comments:
    Labels:
    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)