About 6/7 years ago I saw this music video by someone who called himself D'banj. The song was titled 'Kiss me again'. I kinda liked it but never paid it much attention. Alot of people didn't pay that young guy much attention then. He even said his parents wanted him to go to school and forget about music, so I guess back then, he didn't get much support from family, friends and music lovers.
One would think the young man would give up and focus on other things, but he must have known what he had inside of him, he must have seen the great future he'll have if he contiued to pursue his dream, so instead of giving up, he traveled to the UK. I really don't know what exactly he did in the UK for the few years he was there. All I know is that he came back in 2005 and this time around, he got our attention.
Not only the attention of music lovers, but captains of industries, State Executives, Governors, the Senate President, even the Oba of Lagos. He’s made us all recognize him.
His meteoric rise is phenomenal!
But how did he do it? Don’t you guys ever wonder? How did he go from an unknown, struggling artist to the greatest artiste in Nigeria at the moment? His first hit single was ‘Tongolo’ in 2005, how did he rise to the top in three years? From making nothing to making 10million naira a week (according to him), winning numerous awards, including MTV African Artiste of the Year, and also becoming a UN Ambassador.
Dbanj and ex-Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu
What took Dapo Oyebanjo from obscurity to greatness? Some say it’s his talent, others think it's because he carved a niche for himself, some say it’s maybe his lyrics, while others think he’s just blessed.
I think it’s all of that put together + hard work, dedication, perseverance, focus, belief and confidence in who he is and what he’s capable of. And of course he found someone (Don Jazzy) who believed in him.
This is some of the ingredient we need to be great…meaning that anyone of us can be this great or even greater, we just have to have the right ingredient.
Dbanj's parents and Governors Fashola and Tinubu
Dbanj is not only an artiste and ambassador; he’s also an astute businessman. He’s the Vice-president of Mohits Records; he’s partnering with Bank PHB for an upcoming reality show, and Globacom for the KOKO range of handsets, he recently launched Koko condoms and I hear also that Koko Water is in the works.
Understanding the importance of giving back, he started a foundation - Koko Foundation, where he’s helping motherless babies and giving scholarships.
Dbanj and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (pix thanks to Ayeni the great)
I’m sure he has women at the snap of his fingers, but he doesn’t go around impregnating them or acquiring mistresses. And anyone who’s met him will tell you he’s humble, funny, nice and very accomodating.
Best of all, his new album, ‘the entertainer’ is a masterpiece…
Personally, I think this is what it means to be great. I duff my hat for this young man who’s teaching us all a thing a two on how to make our lives meaningful.
We can’t all be D’banj, we can’t all be talented singers or entrepreneurs, but we all can make meaning of our lives and be the greatest we can be, in any field we choose…It's really up to us.
Dapo, you’re a shining example. We are all proud of you.
Meanwhile I'm sure y'all know that famous blogger and journalist, Niyi Tabiti, got married last weekened...here are some pictures from his wedding. Pix thanks to http://solafolowosele.blogspot.com/
Here's wishing my dear friend the best of married life
I'm out, see y'all tomorrow.
Cheers.
20 comments:
awww congrats to niyi...pretty wife.
I truly admire D'banj... I guess it is the fact that he truly loves what he does and as it comes naturally to him, there's no other way than to shine.
Obviously, he wasn't well known until he met Don Jazzy, do kudos to Don too.
By the way, what makes you think he is 28?
He was well known peeps.! Don Jazzy was part of a group in the UK called Solek Crew.
DBanj was part of another hot group in the UK called JJC & 419 squad. You can see clips of songs they all did together on youtube and all of them performing in Nigerian Notting Hill Carnival in 2004. Wow! The difference is clear.
Dbanj is awesome, i'm a big fan of his...i kinda like this album vos he made a lot more sense in this and kept the sex thingy on the low.
Happy for Niyi too..i visit his blog often and he's my friend on facebook.His blog and ur's were my primary source of entertainment news when i used to present on radio in bauchi....
speakin anout weddings....
LINDA WILL YOU MARRY ME!
D Banj is a man of purpose and I love that. Instead of following the likes of TUFACE to impregnate all the kokolets, he is doing wonderful stuff to uplift the Nigeria and his family. I so like that
Congrats Teju and Niyi!!!
@Simon Seez: is that proposal to Linda for serious? (lol)
Niyis wife wedding dress was badly sewn...the tailor should be prisoned....
D'banj is indeed an enterpreneur with musical talent. That doesn't mean he is better than others.
@standtall,
I disagree with your position. Tuface has his life to live. He may choose to marry 27 wives. I believe that doesn't take away the fact that he still a superstar.
@Simon
Is this a modern marriage proposal or what?
hello dear linda, hope all is going well for u my sista? dbanjis a great musician with purpose. i must confess that his success has got nothing todo with luck or hard work. it is all about SELF DISCOVERY. u know d same happen to bill gates; the chairman of microsoft who became a 'ropout'to run after his vision, our own dayo liadi (the guy who played a vital part on the videoolori oko' from infinity),being the first son of the father,he was meant to study engineering. u know, d father wants him to take after him not knowing dat his son (dayo) has his own unique reason for coming down to dis wonderful planet. dayo refused his father's offer just like dbanj did, travelled abroad to study dance. today he has his own company known as ijodee dance company (u can check his site;ijodee.net). d fish never struggle to swim that would be impossible for d sea is its own natural habitat from d beginning of creation. so dear linda, self discovery is dbanj's secret. this is hidden to d corporate world today, alot of persons in d offices are not happy, dey always have dis big vacuum inside of them; go to office early momo, return home tired (children and probably wife or husband already in bed)d following day, out again... it goes on and on. d time is coming,infact it is here unnotice; only those who have discovered the reason why they are born would rule the world; IT IS NOT BY CERTIFICATE, NA BY SELF DISCOVERY,KNOW WHO BABA GOD CREATE U TO BE, i love u lyn,and am very proud of you for d good works u r doing, byeeeeeeeeeeeee............
I love D'banj. He is definitely an Entertainer. Keep it up "African Michael Jackson".
check out my blog Linda
Linda, you are up there as well with the likes of 'Dbanj and I pray that all your efforts be blessed with lots of wealth and good things in life. You have been telling peoples stories, one day your story will be told with success. You are a star and we really love you.
@Princekay123: ah ma brova. I have not said Tuface is not a superstar. And yes, he is got his life to live. But while living his life, is it too much to ask for a role model to young people to be responsible, decent and mindful of what s/he does?
Think abt it my brova
@Standtall
Yep,the proposal is for real...thats if Linda would ignore the fact that i'm 25, just quit my job and got back to Lagos to get another hopefully...
maybe, if Linda really believes in all the love stuff she writes sometimes when she is all mushy and stuff....hmmm.maybe she'll give me a try...
Hei Linda, look on the bright side...I'm Handsome..lol
@princekay
plzzzzzz, does a brother have to propose on Eiffel Tower to make it a decent proposal....lol
@simon seez. sorry luv, i'm already taken...wink!
@dimeji, thanks, I love you all back
Linda great write up on Dbanj.
Bobby
I'm proud of D'Banj.
However it's really funny how everyone gets on tha bandwagon praising you when you're 'happenin'. All this kinda talk was about Tuface a few years ago. It's sad but it's the reality of life. Everywhere you go, everyone is blogging about D'Banj and that fact that he's a genius. I hope that all of you will blog about him when he's no longer the newbie.
Debo.
James, You said it all. Once you discover what you have been wired for, no force on earth can stop you. Not following the footsteps of someone else but discovering yourself and applying the passion within you. Life becomes easy when we can match our purpose with passion.
abggi oooo, make una leave diz boiz alone...I b Tuface n D'baj fan..Pls don't rub paul to pay peter..Dey r gud in different ways and they both have their lives to live and every1 of dem has plans 4 the future...
On my part, let see wat next 4 dem...Did tuface eva denied any attrocity???No..so y una dey yarn...Pls let him b and D'banj get hin own palava too...Life goes on ..so who r you to jugde...
@ Simon Lol. Linda says she is not available o. Too bad
@ Made: I just dont get it why it's dfficult for us to be objective when it comes to people we like? No one is Judging TUFACE but his issue is a case in point. I am sure it wont take you anything to criticise Obasanjo, Yaradua and co. So why not Ambassador Tuface if need be?
Lol why do we always have to arrange some cheap drinks infront of a camera in Nigeria.
Dbanj is a natural, the only one after Fela to truly entertain.
The bridesmaids dresses AND DEAD BIT SHOES...ARTROCIOUS...
The bride's dress nko? A SHAME
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