Entertainment
D’Banj Emerges Silver Bird’s Personality Of The Week
Popular award winning
entertainer, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo popularly known as D’banj, the Koko Master is a Nigerian singer, song writer harmonica player and businessman. He has won several music awards including the awards for the Best African Act at the MTV Europe music awards. He recently celebrated his 10th anniversary in the music business.
The party had several industry colleagues in attendance including Banky W, Praize, Lamy Phillips, Yvonne Ekwere Kemi Adetiba, Toke Makinwa, Tola Odunsi, Ehiz Shaydee, Charle, WizKid, Davido, Phyno and Seyi Shay.
Born to a military father and business woman mother, music sensation, D’banj was born in Zaria in the northern part of Nigeria. Instead of joining the military, he diverted to pursue his love for music and relocated to the United Kingdom despite his parents’ disapproval.
His earlier connection to his music passion happened after he lost his military pilot-in-training older brother, Femi, to a plane crash and he was given his harmica. This was the instrument that set his successful music career.
2002 saw him collaborating with Nigerian Rep Star, Rugged man on the track, “Kiss Me Again” produced by O.j.B Jezreel. The song generated a lot of publicity and its accompanying video went to number 5 on the Groovoids chart on MBITV.
D’banj became an official artist on Mo’Hits Record Label and set out in 2005 to release his debut album, which included the hit single, ‘Tolongo’ in 2006, the second album “Rundown Funk U Up” was released with a remix of Tolongo and another hit song “Why Me”. This debut success led to further notable musical collaborations including Dare Art-Alade’s album track – Escalade Part 2 and Ikechukwu’s 2008 album Song, “Wind Am Well”.
D’banj has bagged many awards which include Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artiste of the year at MTV Africa Awards 2009 and Bet Awards. A chance meeting with Kanye West on plane ride lead to major business relationship in 2011, and what he calls “the best birthday gift”.
His signing on to Kanye’s G.O.O. D music label in the US and mercury in the UK. Finding inspiration from the story of Charles Dickens’s orphan, ‘Oliver Twist’. The danceable infectious single of same title was released following the signing and it is still receiving a lot of positive response.
So far, Oliver Twist has sold about 11 million records worldwide. It also debuted as No 9 on the UK top 10 National charts, just behind ‘The likes of Rihana and Tulisa. D’banj is one of the most celebrated stars in Nigeria and on the international front.
Culled from Silverbird magazine.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’