Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known by his stage name D’banj, was born on June 9, 1980, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. He is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, rapper, entrepreneur, television personality, and music executive, widely celebrated as one of the most influential African entertainers and a pioneer of modern Afrobeats on the global stage.
Early Life and Background
D’banj was born into a military family. His father was a Nigerian Army officer, while his mother worked as a church official and businesswoman. Because of his father’s military career, D’banj lived in several cities across Nigeria, which exposed him to diverse cultures and music styles. He attended Nigerian Military School, Zaria, for a brief period before transferring to another institution to complete his secondary education.
In his youth, D’banj developed a strong passion for music, learning to play the harmonica, an instrument that would later become one of his musical trademarks. His early influences included Fela Anikulapo Kuti, whose Afrobeat rhythms and activism deeply inspired him.
Music Career
Early Career and Mo’ Hits Records
D’banj’s professional music journey began after he met Don Jazzy (Michael Collins Ajereh), a talented music producer, while living in London. The two shared musical chemistry and in 2004, they returned to Nigeria to establish Mo’ Hits Records.
Under Mo’ Hits, D’banj released his debut album, “No Long Thing” (2005), which featured his breakthrough single “Tongolo.” The song was a massive hit and earned him the nickname “Koko Master”, symbolizing his confident, humorous, and flirtatious style.
His sophomore album, “Rundown Funk U Up” (2006), produced hit songs like “Why Me,” “Mobolowowon,” and “Tongolo (Remix).” These tracks solidified his reputation as a vibrant performer with a unique blend of Yoruba expressions, Pidgin English, and humor.
In 2008, D’banj released “The Entertainer,” which remains one of the most successful Nigerian albums ever produced. The project included chart-topping singles such as “Gbono Feli Feli,” “Fall in Love,” and “Suddenly.”
International Breakthrough
D’banj’s charisma and international appeal led him to global recognition. In 2011, he signed a major deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music label, becoming one of the first Nigerian artists to achieve that level of international partnership.
Under G.O.O.D Music, he released the global hit “Oliver Twist” (2012) — a fusion of Afrobeats and EDM (Electronic Dance Music). The song topped charts across Africa, the UK, and parts of Europe, peaking at No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. The accompanying video featured appearances from Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, and Good Music members, further boosting his international profile.
Post–Mo’ Hits Era
After Mo’ Hits Records dissolved in 2012 due to internal disagreements, D’banj founded his own label, DB Records, signing artists such as KaySwitch (his younger brother), Tonto Dikeh, and 2Kriss.
Despite the split, D’banj maintained his star power, releasing singles like “Top of the World,” “Don’t Tell Me Nonsense,” “Emergency,” and “Bother You” (which appeared on the Half of a Yellow Sun movie soundtrack).
Entrepreneurship and Influence
Beyond music, D’banj is a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist. He launched several business ventures, including:
Koko Holdings – encompassing products like Koko Water, Koko Mobile, and Koko Lounge.
C.R.E.A.M. Platform (Creative, Reality, Entertainment, Arts, and Music) – an initiative supporting young creative talents across Africa.
He has also served as a United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace and collaborated with international organizations for campaigns on youth empowerment and agriculture, such as ONE Campaign’s “Do Agric” initiative.
Awards and Recognition
D’banj’s career is decorated with numerous awards and nominations, including:
MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act (2007)
BET Award for Best International Act: Africa (2011)
MTV Africa Music Awards – Artist of the Year (2009)
MOBO Award for Best African Act (2012)
The Headies – Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year (multiple wins)
His ability to fuse Afrobeats, pop, and dance music helped pave the way for the global success of Nigerian music today.
Personal Life
D’banj married Lineo Didi Kilgrow in June 2016, and they have children together. He has also experienced personal tragedy, notably the loss of his first son in 2018, which he has spoken about as a moment that reshaped his faith and perspective on life.
Legacy
D’banj is often hailed as a trailblazer of Afrobeats’ international expansion, credited for introducing African pop culture to mainstream audiences long before the global Afrobeats boom. His energetic performances, comedic lyrics, and bold personality have made him a cultural icon across Africa.
In summary:
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo — D’banj, the Koko Master, remains one of Nigeria’s most influential entertainers. From co-founding Mo’ Hits Records with Don Jazzy to breaking into the global music scene with “Oliver Twist,” his career embodies innovation, charisma, and resilience — marking him as a cornerstone of the Afrobeats movement.
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
