Tag: Dagrin

FIVE years after the demise of Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, aka Dagrin, his imprint is still being felt in the Nigerian entertainment scene. So, on Wednesday, the anniversary of his death, a couple of his colleagues remembered his life and times.

One of those who remembered the artiste was Folarin Falana, scion of highly respected lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana. The artiste who is better known as  Falz wrote; “five years since we lost a hero! Changed the face of Nigerian hip-hop. Rest in peace G. #BarrackOGrin #LyricalWere.”

Also remembering Dagrin, Terry G, in a rather esoteric Instagram note, said, “I remember we spoke last two weeks in ma dream… You sent me a message to deliver to them which I will officially release the song on the 30th of April…LIVE ON HOMMIE @dagrin9ja.”

Another artiste, Omawumi Megbele, posted a picture captioned, “five years….not forgotten.” And fleshing it out with a long narrative.

She said: “From today, I’m going to miss my friend, fine boy, young blood and every day that I make, I think about the legacy you left. I thank God your music go continue to dey reign o. I miss you my brother, lyrical we`re`. Nuff said, rest in peace. My name is Omawumi. I’ll miss you Dagrin.”

Dagrin died in a ghastly motor accident, and to mark its fifth anniversary, Industry Nite and Eldar Records are celebrating his legacy.

FROM his tribute performances in memory of DaGrin and MCLoph to his hit tracks like, One Naira, Money, Chairman, among others, Mr. Incredible, as M.I is otherwise called, lived up to expectation at the Star Music Trek concert in Owerri, last weekend.

Music buffs from neighbouring cities of Abia, Enugu, Aba and Nnewi defied the threatening rain, roving the Hero Square, venue of the show, and dancing excitedly till the early hours of the next day.

The Owerri, Imo State leg of the show featured other star acts like JMartins, Mr. Raw, Wande Coal, Phyno and Crystals of the Star Quest fame. The impressive crowd event could have attracted a population in five digits, with the enthusiasts refusing to leave the concert venue until the very last note.

Rave of the moment Azubuike Chibuzor Nelson, better known as Phyno, was undoubtedly the star of the night, delivering over 25 minutes of non-stop hits from his growing repertoire, including AmanchiKwanu, My Cool and Ghost Mode, delivered with his unique infusion of the Igbo Language, Pidgin and English. The crowd could not but ask for more. “I’m humbled by the love and appreciation,” he said after his performance.

Black Diamond, Wande Coal’s performance was, as one fan aptly put it: ‘simply off the hook.’ Belting out a medley of his greatest hits including You Bad, Bumper 2 Bumper, Rotate and The Kick, the Mavin Records artiste brought an enormous amount of energy with him to the stage.

Mr. Raw returned to Owerri last weekend, with a rich set that justifies claims he’s one of the greatest acts from the South East. Backed by a 7-man band, the rapper connected with fans in ways words cannot capture, enjoying himself as much as the fans, and bringing back memories of some of his greatest classics over the years such as Obodo, Aragagbandiara, Spiritual Konji and more.

Even then, JMartins brought his fans close to tears, as he interrupted his powerful set spanning Touching Body, Good or Bad, Yoyo and more to bring Chukwudia, a handicapped fan, up to the stage to dance.

APRIL 22, 2013 marked the third year since Olaitan Oladapo Olaonipekun, better known as Dagrin, passed on. Known for his indigenous Yoruba rap, he started rapping at the age of 14, crashing almost every Hip-Hop show in Lagos, trying to get a three-minute spot on stage as he struggled for years, hopping from one studio to the other, in a quest to record a music album. It took a few years for the dream to be realised due to his search for financial support and quest to seal a record deal, but in 2006 he released his debut Still on the Matter under LEO Entertainment which was mildly received.

The rapper, allegedly had a strained relationship with his father, Comrade Olaniyi Abolaji Olanipekun. who was never in support of his career choice until later in his life, but he was very close to his mother, Mrs. Olanipekun. Before his death, he had also broken ties with his girlfriend, Chichi. The couple had dated for seven years but she kept pressuring for more commitment, which the rapper was not ready for.

Dagrin died at 6:00PM on 22 April, 2010, exactly eight days after he was involved in a ghastly accident in front of Alakara Police Station, off Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos. The late rapper’s car, a Nissan Maxima 2008 model, ran into a parked lorry in front of the police station. He was initially admitted at Tai Solarin Hospital, Mushin before he was transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi Araba where doctors made serious efforts to save his life. He was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit and operated upon, and later moved to the private wing of the hospital where he died! Doctors at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital LUTH said he survived nine seizures before he finally gave up to the 10th.

Cashing in on three years after his death, things seem to have changed. Dagrin’s death suddenly inspired a whole lot of rappers to hit the studio rapping in the Yoruba language. In April 2012, video director, GINI, released a documentary, ‘Remembering Dagrin’, to mark the second anniversary of the rapper’s death. The one-hour plus clip featured never-before-seen clips and images of Dagrin. It also contained interviews with individuals that crossed the path of the young man and contributed to his rise to fame in the Nigerian music industry.

Following his demise, a couple of artistes picked the baton from where he dropped it. However, in a move to immortalise the artiste, entertainment lawyer, Ope Banwo, chronicled the life and times of Dagrin in the movie Ghetto Dreams, directed by Daniel Ademonikan, featuring Doris Simeon who played the role of Chichi.

After three years since his demise, the rapper is still greatly remembered and this year his remembrance was greatly celebrated through various media; the radio and television stations, online platforms and other media outlets seized the opportunity to dedicate shows, pages and basically the whole of 22 April, 2013 to the late rapper, showing their undying love for him, with more tribute songs being released in his honour. The late rapper may have died an untimely death but his legacy obviously still lives on, with his style of music still greatly imitated and even improved on with the likes of Olamide, BaseOne, Dharsaw, Tipsy, Jyhbo, Seriki obviously inspired by the general himself, Barrack O’grin.