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Tag: Dbanj

  • Reviewing D’Banj’s ‘It’s Not A Lie’

    Reviewing D’Banj’s ‘It’s Not A Lie’

    • ft. Wande Coal and Harrysong [New Song]

    Why many people see the new single by Eja Nla as a grand entry to silence his numerous critics; D’Banj’s musical prowess might be dwindling or be on a rocket down decline. His opening verse almost cost the Afrocentric percussion of this song and the lovely hook of Harry Songs, the reggae blues crooner.

    It’s Not A Lie could have well been interpreted as an endorsement song, or a beg for endorsement. With Harry songs continual hook of “Everybody Google DBanj,” you might want to check his network whether his cash flow has begun to depreciate slowly.

    If I were the Producer, I would cut D’Banj’s opening verse out of the song and beg him to sing only the chorus like DJ Spinall ft Eazi on “Ohema” or DJ Khaled and co. on “I’m the one.”

    I feel D’Banj’s self-acclaimed nickname as an entertainer should be passed on to Harry songs. Baba should go and retire.

    Great vocals but if not for the earlier comments saying the song is worth listening to while surfing the net, I wouldn’t have listened beyond the first few seconds. Harry is a song saver, Wande tried but I agree that Harry killed it…softly.

    Take this as an aside, Wande Coal’s cool punch line further amplifies the fear that D’Banj’s reason for singing this song may just be for the fund and a comeback to lost form.

    “They say the money burn, but na we burn am o!”

    The money might just be imagery for dwindling networths, hopefully, they have been able to raise investors with this song!

    The future of Nigerian music is actually in shambles. Not saying there isn’t good music flowing around but there is more obscenity served, as well as heavy bragging, and overt commercialization of the feminine body parts.

    I will rate “It’s Not A Lie” a 6/10. It could have done better if D’Banj wasn’t there, or if he sang the chorus with his harmonica. It could have gotten an 8. Since the beat is Afrocentric danceable pop; it wins the spot on my playlist for this week.

    Till then, D’Banj should work on his vocals and plan a bigger comeback to Nigeria’s entertainment scene.

  • Dbanj, welcomes son Daniel

    Dbanj, welcomes son Daniel

    Music superstar Danj and his wife Didi Lineo, have welcomed their first child.

    Dbanj took to his Instagram handle on Friday to share the first photo of their baby – a son named Daniel Oyebanjo III.

    According to media reports, Dbanj, an entrepreneur and TV host, is currently in the USA where Didi delivered their baby.

    In 2016, the singer reportedly held a secret wedding with his girlfriend Didi, at a low key ceremony both in Lagos and Abuja.

    Dbanj in a recent comment had said that his marital status was no body’s business.

    “My marriage is my business and it is none of your business. Whether I am married or not, mind your business. If you ever see a wedding ring on my finger, fine, but if you don’t, fine.”

    “The truth about it is that it is very important to know what you want as a brand. As a brand, I wanted to focus on the business side and keep my family and private life, private and concentrate on CREAM.”

    The Koko master crooner has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009.

    He also won Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards. ( NAN)

  • Denrele replaces Dbanj as co-host of Lip Sync Battle Africa

    Denrele replaces Dbanj as co-host of Lip Sync Battle Africa

    Starting from April 22, Lip Sync Battle Africa is back on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) and at the helm for the second season is uber-babe, actress, presenter and model Pearl Thusi, while flamboyant TV presenter and fashion icon, Denrele Edin, takes over from Kokomaster, Dbanj.
    No stranger to the music business, Denrele has interviewed the likes of Akon, Beyonce, Tyler Perry, Lil’ Kim, Snoop Dogg and others. Famous in Nigeria for his OTT calculated madness and edgy eccentricity, Denrele was himself a contestant on Lip Sync Battle Africa in Season 1, where he battled against fellow TV personality Ebuka, losing out narrowly, despite storming performances of “Johnny” by Yemi Alade and Jamiroquai’s 90s hit, “Virtual Insanity”.
    Denrele said, “Co-hosting Lip Sync Battle Africa is truly the answer to a prayer I never made! The universe truly opened a door, and I’m gonna make sure I jump right inside and DO IT! It’s quite surreal – I was a contestant in Series 1 who flew in last minute and “spiritually” won his LSB challenge, and now I’ve been elevated to co-host! Try not to watch me, I dare you!”
    The Vice President, BET, Youth & Music, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, Monde Twala, said, “Pearl and Denrele are going to make an awesome team. Pearl’s star quality is unmistakeable and she is a consummate professional, while Denrele’s a true original – bold, exciting and just on the right side of crazy! His extraordinary energy and total unpredictability should be a fascinating and explosive addition to season 2 of Lip Sync Battle Africa.”
    Lip Sync Battle Africa season 2 will see well-known personalities and entertainers from across the continent strutting their stuff as they “lip sync” or mime to well-known songs in a bid to win the famous LSB winner’s belt, armed with dancers, wigs, costumes, props and tons of swag!

  • Dbanj rewards Cream Lottery winners

    Dbanj rewards Cream Lottery winners

    Award winning entertainer, Dbanj has announced the first set of winners of Cream Lottery. This is coming after the September roll out of the platform.

    The announcement was made in the presence of top bosses in the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delloite, Bank of Industry, MTN among others at Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos and had winners from a plethora of creative sectors in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

    Abuja based winner, Enoch Courage Stephen, also known as Pastor Courage, is a recording artiste, producer, pianist, voice coach and speaker. He was one of the lucky winners who won himself an all expense paid music video shoot and production with popular video director, Ruff Coinz and was styled by celebrity stylist, Swanky Jerry.

    “I am so grateful to the Kokomaster, Dbanj for this great platform. I heard about it and with faith, submitted my application and here we are today. We had an incredible video shoot for my song and I really appreciate this opportunity,” he said.

    Graduate of Pure Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi, Tokuma Davies Nyior, stage name, TK Swag also won himself an all expense paid video production with Mattmax as well as styling from Swanky Jerry.

    The Kano born artiste also shared his gratitude to the platform during the video shoot.

    The Cream platform, which is currently open to only MTN subscribers, will draw once every month and winners will emerge from five categories including Music, Video, Collaboration, Showcase and Showbiz. Talents will also be opened to DKM’s international A & R who would select additional talents based on merit.

    Participants can also take part in multiple categories to increase their chances of winning.

  • Dbanj rewards creatives with lottery platform

    Dbanj rewards creatives with lottery platform

    Internationally recognised award winner and entertainer, Dapo Oyebanjo, globally known as the Kokomaster, Dbanj has announced the rollout of his latest project, ‘CREAM’ to reward young creative minds in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

    The announcement was made last Thursday at a media parley in Lagos.

    The ‘CREAM’ platform, which is supported by the Bank of Industry, MTN and D’kings Men Media Ltd stands for ‘Creative, Reality, Entertainment, Arts, Music.’  It will provide creative minds the opportunity to live their dreams of showcasing their talent to the world. Lucky winners of the lottery will win exciting opportunities including a recording deal which consists of recording a track, shooting a state of the art Video, a collaboration with any artiste of their choice (music or video collaboration), talent showcase, talent branding, promotion and marketing, among many others.

    “We have created this platform to reward tons of creative minds out there who don’t have the right platforms to showcase their talent to the world,” stated Dbanj.

    The competition, which is open to MTN subscribers only will run once every month and winners will emerge from three categories – Music, Video, and Collaboration. Three winners will be selected from the draws every first working day of the every month. The CREAM will run for a period of one year.

    Interested participants must take part in the daily draws for a month to qualify for the next month and can also be a part of multiple categories to increase their chances of winning. Winners will also be announced on the CREAM website.

  • D’banj, others gear up for OSMD’S Youth Empowerment Summit

    D’banj, others gear up for OSMD’S Youth Empowerment Summit

    As OSMD Network prepares for its inaugural youth empowerment summit come August 11, a couple of Nigerian artistes have been earmarked to speak at the occasion. Among those who have declared interest to participate in the event are D’banj, Gbenga Adeyinka, Tee A, and Tosin Ajibade.

    According to the organisers, the bi-annual event, which promises to be fulfilling, will reward over 20 promising Nigerian youths with career building mentorship in their aspiring fields of focus.

    OSMD Network, a non-profit organisation dedicated to Nigerian youths, has tagged the conference What Is Your Hand: A Strategic Tool. The summit will kick off at Conference Hall, Mauve 21, Ring road, Ibadan, Oyo state.

    Multi-talented entertainer and entrepreneur D’banj and experienced stand-up comedian Tee-A will be the MCs of the event as award-winning writer and filmmaker; Chris Ihidero will moderate the conversations.

    Heavyweight integrated marketing communications expert Tunji Olugbodi and CEO and business mogul Ubong King are the keynote speakers.

    Ali Baba, Steve Babaeko, Ayeni Adekunle, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Tosin Ajibade, Fashie Fizzie, Akin Oyebode, and Gbenga Adeyinka will take part in the panel discussions.

    Ali Baba is a veteran Nigerian comedian generally known as the first real stand-up comic in Nigeria. He is popularly known as the father of Nigerian comedy known to have mentored a number of Nigerian comedians.

    Gbenga Adeyinka is a comedian and versatile MC. He is the publisher of Nigeria’s first comedy magazine, LaffMattazz Magazine.

    Speaking on the maiden edition of the summit, the Founder, OSMD Network, and Convener, OSMD Network Youth Empowerment Summit, Abisoye Fagade stated; “We believe Nigerian youths to be critical to the growth and development of any given community and state at large. At OSMD Network, we are of the opinion that the empowerment of these individuals will bring about gratification and an eventual change and development in the future.”

     

  • D’BANJ, FALZ TO LEAD MTV BASE PROGRAMMING ‘REVOLUTION’

    MTV Base is set to transform its identity from a music channel into a fully-fledged general entertainment channel, creating content targeted at Nigerian viewers.

    Some of the new content MTV Base will start airing from April 29 include Lip Sync Battle Africa, hosted by D’Banj and Pearl Thusi, a new series of popular magazine show The Bigger Friday Show presented by Falz The Bahd Guy, and an all-African version of successful video clip format Ridiculousness. Other initiatives on-screen and on-the-ground from April include a 2016 VJ search – the first since Ehiz Okoeguale won in 2013, a weekly News Roundup, and a new series called I Dare You.

    MTV Base will also be giving young people the chance to be part of the MTV world by interacting with and featuring on the channel.  With an increased focus on connecting with fans and viewers across Nigeria, the channel will be hitting the streets far beyond Lagos to capture content, news and experiences all over the country.

    “MTV Base is allying our music leadership and star power with viewer interaction and User-Generated Content, to create an all-new MTV Base as you’ve never seen it before, with a cheekier, more irreverent tone,” said Alex Okosi, SVP & MD, VIMN Africa.

    “This profound shift in our programming and consumer strategy creates a rejuvenated channel and entertainment that will reflect the experience, dreams and lives of Nigerian youth. Similarly, our new slogan or pay-off line, ‘My Life, My Base’ reflects this new focus on viewers’ lives.”

    Viewers can also compete in two new challenges – #LSBChallenge and #BFSChallenge – offering the audience a chance to appear on MTV Base by submitting personalised content on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags #LSBChallenge and #BFSChallenge.

  • D’banj, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade thrill at Gidi Fest

    D’banj, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade thrill at Gidi Fest

    With over 3,000 fun lovers in attendance, Lagos, the commercial nerve of Nigeria came alive on Saturday, March 26, as the annual Gidi Fest held sway. The third in its series, the 2016 edition of the annual music festival has been described as the best yet.

    The event kicked off with social activities like beach soccer and volleyball tournaments, an Art Installation and food court and of course, music.

    Gidi Fest’s main stage opened with performances by comedian Ogbolor. With their dynamic energy, the hosts, Nigeria’s Sensei Uche and Skhanda Queen, Nomuzi kept the crowd entertained from opening to closing by 7pm.

    The headliner Tiwa Savage didn’t fail to serve hits from both her old and new R.E.D albumS.

    Other performances of the night included Phyno, IKON, Chopstix, GGB Dancers, 2 Star General and Godwin Strings, Yemi Alade, South Africa’s K.O and Riky Rick.

    Olamide’s protégé and Headies award winner Adekunle Gold was not left out in thrilling Lagosians as he performed his major hits.

    It was a triple header for the ladies. Rachel Kerr, a celebrated vocalist from London, gave an emotive performance to ring in the Easter holiday. The crowd cheered as Timaya hit the stage performing his greatest hits. Next came street hop sensation Small Doctor’s memorable performance where he climbed the stage pillars to everybody’s surprise. With the help of the GidiSquad, Heineken presented the Take Over alongside DJ OBI.

    Gidi Fest ’16 however closed with global superstar Dbanj who has broken countless chart records. With one of the most enviable catalogues in music, Dbanj’s set stretched from 20 minutes to 45minutes as the Koko Master took the crowd through songs spanning his decade plus career. Bringing super fans on stage and hosting a dance competition, Dbanj closed out Gidi Fest ’16 by bringing the festival vibes to a roaring high-point.

    Gidi Fest beach party is produced by Eclipse Live Africa and supported by Eko Atlantic, Lagos State and Heineken with support from Red Bull, Mikano, Eko Hotel, Hyperia, HRG and Skyy Vodka.

  • How Pop, R&B artistes rank on social media

    How Pop, R&B artistes rank on social media

    The impact of Social media on the Entertainment industry in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized, given that entertainers (Musical Artistes) were among the first Nigerians who embraced the new media and have remained on top of the list of users in Nigeria and across the world.

    Some started earlier and still struggling to gain much followership, depending on how soon such an artiste understood the tricks of each social media platform and apply same in order to connect with fans.

    However, some other artistes came on much later and are doing very fine with a good number of followers on these platforms.

    No doubt, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are very important platforms that have been engaged by these Celebrities to carry their fans along.

    Below is how they rank on Twitter and Instagram:

     

  • WOMEN NEED TO BE BETTER EMPOWERED, SAYS D’BANJ

    WOMEN NEED TO BE BETTER EMPOWERED, SAYS D’BANJ

    NIGERIAN superstar entertainer, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’banj has lent his voice to ONE Campaign’s Call for Global Gender Equality. The artiste spoke in commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day, urging world leaders to act on promises to end extreme poverty faster by investing in girls and women.

    According to the Pop star, it will be pleasant if more girls had the chance to grow up to be empowered women, where all women went to school and were not forced into early marriage.

    “Extreme poverty is choking the potential of generations of young women in the developing world. Poverty is sexist. It hits girls and women harder than it does boys and men, creating a real urgency which world leaders must address. Women need to be better empowered, especially in areas such as agriculture and healthcare, so that they can contribute their best to the development of Nigeria. Women need better access to land, inputs, and better maternal healthcare, among others. That’s why I’m raising my voice and asking others to do the same,” D’banj said.

    Other influential figures who added their voices to the campaign are Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali, Melinda Gates, Femi Kuti, Charlize Theron, Yemi Alade, and Bono among others.

    Selmor Mtukudzi, Vanessa Mdee, Victoria Kimani, Amy Poehler, Danai Gurira, Angelique Kidjo, Shonda Rhimes, Jessie J, Colin Farrell and Robert Redford have also signed ONE’s open letter which shows the incredible strength of feeling across the global community for leaders to step up for girls and women everywhere.

    Popular singer, Yemi Alade also added her voice and gave reasons why she is supporting the campaign.

    “We live in a world where women and girls are most disadvantaged by extreme poverty – on a continent where women and girls are particularly marginalised – socially, economically and legally. Every day, in every corner of the world, they are stopped from reaching their full potential. That is why I was part of ONE’s Strong Girl campaign and that is why I continue to join other leaders to raise my voice today,” said Alade.