Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo known by the stage name D’banj is a Nigerian musician, television personality, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. D’banj has come a long way in the Nigerian music industry.
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Biography
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo was born on the 9th of June, 1980 in Zaria, Kaduna State and hails from Shagamu, Ogun State. His father is a military officer while his mother is a devout Christian and a business woman.
His father enrolled him in the Nigeria Military School when he was 11 years old with the hope that he will follow his footsteps but D’banj had other plans as he pulled out of the school after 3 years. While at the school, he joined the Elite Drum Crop of the Nigerian Army. He later completed his secondary education in Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ibara, Abeokuta.
D’banj proceeded to Lagos State University to study Mechanical Engineering but dropped out and moved to London with the aim of completing his studies but fate had music in store for him.
He secretly married Lineo Digi Kilgrow in June 2016 and they were blessed with a son, Daniel Oyebanjo III who died tragically in a drowning accident on the 25th of June, 2018.
D’banj Journey Into The Music Industry
Despite the fact that his parent were not in support of his music career, D’banj followed his passion and today D’banj is a music icon. He started his music career by playing harmonica left by his late brother, Femi Oyebanjo who died in a plane crash at the age of 17. D’banj always played the instrument in tribute to his late brother but later realised what the new skill could bring him.
While in the UK in 2001 to complete his degree in mechanical engineering, D’banj met Don Jazzy and that was how things turned around for him. Don Jazzy believed in his talent and they both worked together and finally came back to Nigeria in 2004 to start a record label, Mo’hits Records. They released their first single, ‘Tongolo’ which went viral and brought them to the limelight. The two were passionate about Mo’hits and the label became a known music label in Nigeria until they separated.
D’banj Music Career
The talented entertainer uses both Afrobeat and Afropop in honor of his mentor Fela to bring life to his songs. D’banj’s first album ‘No long Thing’ debuted in 2006 and he has five albums currently. After D’banj’s separation from Mo’hits, he founded his own record label DB records in 2012 and signed his younger brother, KaySwitch alongside two producers, Jaysleek and Deevee. Also, in the same year he signed a multi-album deal with Sony Music Entertainment which included contract with his brother, KaySwitch and partnership with his record label, DB records. D’banj has had a successful music career so far and most of his achievement can be found here. Let us proceed to his business ventures.
Business Ventures
D’banj is heavily invested in the agricultural and ICT sectors. He owns D’ Kings Men Media Limited, a 360 Media Company and MCOMM Ltd (Median Mobile Communications Limited). D’Kings is responsible for their major digital moves in recent times. Speaking about his business move, D’banj said this to Premium time “going into business and focusing on the showbiz angle of my career at the time I did, has been my greatest decision”.
His flair for business started when he ventured into agriculture by launching Koko Garri almost immediately he was made the Ambassador for Bank of Industry. Research showed that the project was not as successful as envisioned but just like every daring entrepreneur, the lessons has to be learnt. Last year, he spoke about reviving and expanding Koko Garri and we are eagerly waiting for the pivot of Koko Garri.
D’ Kings Men Media Limited partnered with MTN and Bank of Industry to launch THE CREAM platform in 2016. The platform was created to discover and support creative young talents in Nigeria by dialing a USSD code on a mobile phone. The platform has over 3 million subscribers and has gone ahead to partner with other reputable organisations.
Brands That D’banj Has Worked With
Power Fist (2004)
Globacom(2013)
Bank of Industry(2013)
Heritage Bank(2014)
Beats by Dre(2014)
Africa Union’s One Agric(2014)
SLOT(2015)
Ciroc Nigeria(2015)
D’banj Awards
- Best Newcomer at Channel O Music Video Awards 2006
- Artist of the Year at Nigerian Music Awards 2006
- HipHop World Revelation at HipHop World Awards 2006
- Best Special Effects ‘Why Me’ at Channel O Music Video Awards 2007
- Best African Act at MTV Europe Music Awards 2007
- Listeners Choice at MTV Africa Music Awards 2008
- Artist of the Year at MTV Africa Music Awards 2008
- Artist of the Year at MTV Africa Music Awards 2009
- Best International Act at Headies Awards 2010
- Award for Best International Act, Africa at BET Awards 2011
- Best African Act at MOBO Award 2012
- Awarded Best Selling African Artist at World Music Awards 2014
- Best African Collaboration ‘Cocoa Na Chocolate’All African Music Awards 2014
- Evolution Awards at MTV African Music Awards 2015
- BEFFTA African Legend Award 2016
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