In 2011, we moved to the beat of “Oliver Twist,” it nearly ran us mad, every corner Oliver, Oliver, Oliver Twist. D’banj helped us to express our collective and unreserved infatuation with Rihanna and Beyoncé. He said all the things we felt deeply within. Oliver twist, a track that not only dominated the charts but also marked a significant shift in the global recognition of Nigerian music. At the helm of this revolution was D’banj, a man whose name became synonymous with the energetic fusion of Afrobeats and a Nigerian flavour of electronic dance music. But who is D’banj beyond the gossips, the tabloids, the separations, scandals and controversies? As one of the most memorable artists and performers in Nigeria and globally, he is equally well known for the stories that trail him but this is not the article for that. My guess is that you already know of that, either as a fact or the endless figments of your imaginations and hearsay. Nevertheless how are you a superstar without controversy?
D’banj’s journey to musical stardom began long before the world took notice. His debut album, “No Long Thing,” released in 2005, introduced him as the Koko Master, a persona that would come to embody his larger-than-life presence on stage and in the studio. With hits like “Tongolo,” he quickly ascended to the summit of the Nigerian music scene, captivating audiences with his boldness, enigma, and undeniable charisma. D’banj is the unavoidable force both in the studio and on stage, and in our minds as a brand. Everything about D’banj is through the roof, he unmistakeable, unavoidable and unforgettable. “One time D’banj said, Pay me my money, Are you not entertained?”. D’banj was the first Nigerian artist to clearly present himself as the entertainer and demand his wages without ambiguity and we paid for it because he said it to us in song, for the avoidance of doubt and to forever rent an apartment in our memories.
But it was “Oliver Twist” that catapulted D’banj onto the international stage, becoming the first Nigerian song to debut on the UK Singles Chart. Its success was not merely a triumph for D’banj but a proclamation of the Nigerian sound to the world—a sound that was loud, authoritative, and definitive. The track’s lyrical prowess, coupled with its infectious melody, earned D’banj accolades and awards, solidifying his status as a global icon. You will be right to say this was the beginning of Afrobeat to the world as we now know it.
Yet, D’banj’s influence extends far beyond his musical achievements. His collaboration with Kanye West in 2011 marked the beginning of a new era, where Nigerian artists would seamlessly integrate with their American counterparts on the mainstream stage. The story of their chance encounter at an airport, leading to a ground breaking partnership, has become the stuff of legends—a testament to D’banj’s magnetic allure and star power. However before then, we must mention D’banjs song and video that featured Snoop, know as Snoop dog, actually known as Snoop Doggy Dogg in Mo’Hits, Mr Endowed fame. That was an entrance into the US but beyond the Oliver twist fame that led to the Kanye West appearance. Since the US market is the definitive measure for Afrobeat to the world (unless we all disagree to agree), no one did it bigger than D’banj, he was the hurricane that swept the US, and laid the foundation for what was destined to become.
In the midst of his meteoric rise, D’banj faced his fair share of controversy and challenges, from the breakup of Mo’Hits Records to personal struggles that captured tabloid headlines. Yet, through it all, he remained unapologetically himself—an entertainer in the truest sense of the word – until now, no one does it better, and since this article is not about Burnaboy, and he (Odogwu) was still teething then, we will leave it here. No one did it better than Dbanj.
D’banj’s impact transcends music, evident in his entrepreneurial ventures and numerous endorsements. From energy drinks to global brands like Sony and Cîroc, he has solidified his position as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest entertainers—a testament to his business acumen and marketability. At his prime, D’banj was the perfect example of the music businessman. Until D’banj, no artist in Nigeria delivered the music in a way that we could almost touch the money like he did. Once again, this article is not about Davido, and you will agree that he too was budding when D’banj showed us opulence and star power. At another point D’banj told his in another song that he sold to us how much he got paid for a show and it was as unbelievably true as 30BG would later enter the money and music game. And still D’banj remains one of the most intentional personal brands that is larger than life. Everything about Dbanj was big, in your face and bold. The ultimate showman that lived just like he looked in his music videos. With Dbanj, it is always without limits and there is no small measures about him, he came big, did it big and remained big in our minds even after his run reached a climax, a climax only a handful have ever come close to even now in his quieter and more selective stage.
As D’banj celebrates two decades in the spotlight, it’s impossible to ignore his enduring legacy. His influence on Nigerian music, his electrifying stage presence, and his unwavering confidence have left an indelible mark on the industry. And while controversies may have tarnished his image at times, they have only served to humanize him—a reminder that behind the glitz and glamour lies a man with flaws and imperfections like any other. Dbanj wore his imperfection like a King, and in his more remorseful and soul searching moment issued an apology recently on his post on X, to specific people and other whom it may concern. He said
“We’ve spent many years focusing on the blame game but I’m not playing that game anymore.
@iamdbanj on X (formerly Twitter)
If you feel I wronged you at anytime, forgive me. The philosopher in me is grateful for everything that went right and those that went wrong. Without those things, we won’t all be the Kings we are today killing it in our different endeavours 👌🏿. To all who have worked behind the scenes from Baba Are, Chuchu Lee, General Jay, Kamal, Bankuli , Ayo Sonaiya , Mozenge lee , Cheekychizzy , Bizzle ,Special Ed , Killz , Vanessa Amadi , Davin philips , Tonya Merit and so many more ,Banga is grateful. God bless us all.”
D’banj delivered some of the most packed live performance across Nigeria and Africa, there is little documentation of those concerts in exact dates and time, so I will leave the details and share some highlights of some his more documented global performances. On June 23, 2012, D’banj graced the stage at the Hackney Weekend, a vibrant part of the 2012 Summer Olympics festivities that boasted headliners like Jay-Z and Rihanna. Teaming up with his dear friend and fellow Universal Music Group label mate, Rita Ora, he dazzled audiences on August 30, 2012, at the SCALA London Live Music, Clubs, and Arts Venue, marking the release of her debut album “Ora”. His talents weren’t confined to the UK; he also enchanted crowds at the AFCON 2013 closing ceremony in South Africa. Then, on April 18, 2015, D’banj brought his musical magic to the Global Citizen Earth Day concert, a momentous event held on Capitol Hill (Washington Monument Grounds) to celebrate Earth Day’s 45th anniversary, orchestrated by the Global Poverty Project and the Earth Day Network.
Dbanj has not made it to the grammys, even at his peak he did not, is it possible to do it? Well, never say never, we will be here to see but he did bag an impressive number of awards. He has been honored with numerous music awards throughout his career. These include recognitions such as Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, and the prestigious Evolution award at the MTV Africa Musical Awards 2015.
We can also take a look at Dbanj’s Humanitarian work which has been one of the biggest and diverse of any Nigerian artist over time. Except for 2baba, another legend who we must not refer to in passing, but we will leave this article for who it is about.
D’banj is a prominent advocate for youth empowerment and peace, founding the Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development. As Nigeria’s first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace, he has used his platform to champion various causes, including agriculture investments, as seen in his song “Cocoa Na Chocolate,” which won Best African Collaboration at the All Africa Music Awards in 2014.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning praise from World Bank Chief Jim Yong Kim for his dedication to addressing critical issues in Africa, particularly in agriculture and poverty alleviation. D’banj’s commitment to social impact extends to gender equality and women’s empowerment, as demonstrated in his video “Extraordinary,” endorsed by the World Bank as a tool for raising awareness.
In collaboration with MTN Nigeria and the Bank of Industry, D’banj launched THE CREAM PLATFORM in August 2016. This creative talent platform aims to discover and support young talents across Nigeria, with over 2 million paying subscribers and numerous success stories within the music category alone by December 2016.
LISTEN TO “TAYA” BY D’BANJ, ZLATAN & TIMAYA
There is more to write but, you will agree with me that the kokomasters work, legacy and person is one to be felt, more than read about. go and stream his entire discography and watch his video to relive the moments, if were still an infant then, you will find that you will not be disappointed.
In conclusion, D’banj is more than just a musician; he is a cultural phenomenon—a force to be reckoned with in the world of entertainment. As we celebrate his achievements and accolades, let us not forget the journey that brought him here and the countless lives he has touched along the way. With each beat of the drum and each note sung, D’banj continues to reign supreme, a true titan of Nigerian music.
