Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (listenⓘ; born 9 June 1980), known professionally as D’banj (/dəˈbændʒ/ də-BANJ[4]), is a Nigerian singer, rapper, music executive, event host and television personality. Often regarded as one of the greatest African and Afrobeats artistes of all time, he signed with American rapper Kanye West’s record label GOOD Music to release his 2012 single “Oliver Twist”, an uptempo dance fusion of EDM and Afrobeats for which he became best known. With record producer Don Jazzy, he co-founded the record label Mo’ Hits Records. His stage name is a combination of his first name, Dapo, and his surname, Oyebanjo.[5]

Early life
D’banj, also known as the Kokomaster or Bangalee, was born in Zaria, the northern part of Nigeria to a military officer father and a devoutly religious businesswoman mother from Shagamu in Ogun State. Dbanj has twins as siblings, Taiwo and Kehinde “Kayswitch” Oyebanjo.[6]

D’banj’s parents hoped he would follow in his father’s footsteps and join the military, but D’banj turned to music instead being introduced to the harmonica by his late older brother, Femi Oyebanjo, who died in a plane crash at the age of seventeen.[7]

D’banj’s struggle for his parents’ approval inspired his music, most notably on the album track, “All Da Way”, from his debut album No Long Thing.[5]

Work and music
2000-2004: JJC and 419 Squad
Before his recording debut, D’banj moved from Nigeria to the United Kingdom in 2001 to pursue music after studying mechanical engineering at Lagos State University. Prior to relocating, he recorded early material in Nigeria such as the OJB Jezreel-produced “Kiss Me Again” featuring rapper Ruggedman, which received limited airplay before his departure.[8] After arriving in the UK, D’banj met JJC Skillz around June 2002 and became affiliated with Backbone Music, the label which JJC and 419 Squad operated.[9] D’banj clarified that he was signed to Backbone Music, rather than being a formal member of JJC and the 419 Squad, although he toured extensively with the group due to their active UK performance schedule.[8] During this period, D’banj gained performance experience by appearing at live shows with the 419 Squad across the UK. Don Jazzy was also signed to Backbone Music at the time and worked as a producer, including producing material for JJC and the group.[8] In interviews, JJC has stated that he mentored both D’banj and Don Jazzy, provided accommodation, and facilitated their early exposure through live performances and media appearances. He has also claimed involvement in the development of D’banj’s early songs and stage presentation.[10]

2005-2006: Founding of Mo’ Hits Records, No Long Thing, and RunDown Funk U Up
Don Jazzy founded Mo’ Hits Records in September 2004 and signed D’banj as its first artist.[8]

D’banj’s debut album, No Long Thing, was released on 25 March 2005. D’banj and Don Jazzy completed work on No Long Thing within a short period before returning to Nigeria.[8] It yielded several singles with “Tongolo” as the breakthrough lead single. It also provided his Koko Master persona, with the term, “koko”, taking on a variety of meanings.[11] D’banj’s debut led to collaborations with other artists, including Dare Art Alade and Ikechukwu on their debut albums.[12]

D’banj’s second album Rundown Funk U Up, which was released in 2006, yielded several singles including the club single, “Tongolo (Remix)”, and the lead single “Why Me”.

2007–2008: Curriculum Vitae and The Entertainer
In 2007, D’Banj’s single “Tongolo” was used by the Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) (PDP) as its campaign theme for the general elections.

D’banj also joined Mo’Hits Records and its collective group, Mo’ Hits Allstars (which included artists Dr SID, Wande Coal, KaySwitch, and D’Prince). December 2007 saw the release of the collective’s debut album, Curriculum Vitae.. It included singles, “Be Close To You”, “Booty Call” and “Move Your Body”, which was the lead single. D’banj was featured in Ikechukwu’s 2008 hit, “Wind Am Well”.

July 2008 saw the release of D’banj’s third album, The Entertainer, with the singles “Gbono Feli Feli”, “Kimon”, “Olorun Maje” and “Entertainer”.[13]

Mo’ Hits/G.O.O.D. Music
In June 2011, D’banj was signed to Kanye West G.O.O.D Music record label as an artiste. On 9 June 2011, D’banj wrote on his Twitter account, @iamdbanj, “Just like yesterday, myself and my brother did ‘Tongolo’. 7 years later, Mo’Hits signs with GOOD Music. Best Birthday gift ever. God thank you.”[14][15]

In September 2016, it was announced D’banj was released from GOOD Music.[16][17][18]

Mo’Hits break-up
After several months of speculation, producer, Don Jazzy confirmed via his Twitter account the breakup of Mo’Hits. After the break-up, Don Jazzy, D’Prince, Dr SID and Wande Coal started Mavin Records,[19] while D’banj founded DB Records, and he signed his younger brother Kayswitch to the label alongside two producers, Jaysleek and Deevee.[20]

Sony Entertainment deal
In December 2012, D’banj signed a mega deal with Sony. Speaking on the importance of the deal to Sony, the managing director of Sony Music Entertainment described the deal as a “Pan African multi-album deal with Sony Music’s RCA Records. It also involves an exclusive management deal with Sony Music and strategic partner ROCKSTAR4000 for the continent. Add to that a multi-album, worldwide exclusive contract with emerging Nigerian singer-songwriter star Kayswitch, and a strategic partnership with D’Banj’s Nigerian record label, DB Records”.[21]

2014
The forthcoming single “Bother You”, inspired by the film Half of a Yellow Sun, was released on 7 April 2013, by Mi7 Records and D’banj’s label, DKM Media.[22] In June 2014, D’banj introduced artists under his record label, which includes him, his younger brother Kay Switch, brothers MossKriss and Ralph Kriss, and Tonto Dikeh and Ebeneztizzy.[23]

2017
He released the album titled King Don Come, with guest features from the likes of Gucci Mane, Wande Coal, Harry Songs, Bucie, Busiswa etc. in August. The album includes singles ‘It’s Not A Lie’, ‘El Chapo and his 2012 mega hit ‘Oliver Twist’.[24]

Live performances
In December 2010, the Mo’ Hits All Stars brought Koko Concert to Lagos.[25]

On 23 June 2012, D’banj performed at the Hackney Weekend to celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics, which was headlined by Jay-Z and Rihanna. He performed alongside his friend and fellow Universal Music Group label mate, Rita Ora, on 30 August 2012 at the SCALA London Live Music, Clubs and Arts Venue to celebrate the release of her debut album Ora.[26] He also performed at the AFCON 2013 closing ceremony held in South Africa. On 18 April 2015, D’banj performed at the Global Citizen Earth Day, a free concert on Capitol Hill (Washington Monument Grounds) for the 45th anniversary of Earth Day put on by the Global Poverty Project and the Earth Day Network.[27]

Awards and accolades
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by D’banj
D’banj has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007,[5] Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009,[28] Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the MTV Africa Musical awards 2015.

D’banj’s song “Oliver Twist”, topped the African charts in 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012, reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart.

Endorsements
With D’banj’s first album came his first endorsement from an energy drink called Power Fist.[29] In May 2013, D’banj was named the Bank of Industry (BOI) ambassador. In November 2013, D’banj re-signed a multi-million Naira deal with Globacom, the company he parted ways with in 2010.[30] In June 2014, D’Banj secured a deal with Heritage Bank.[31] In October 2014, D’banj was named the official African ambassador for Beats by Dre.[32] In February 2015, D’banj was named the official African ambassador for Ciroc Nigeria.[33] In an exclusive story on Tush Magazine Issue 11, Banky W and Dbanj shed more light on how they became Ciroc Ambassadors.[34] In September 2015, D’banj was made the brand ambassador of SLOT, a popular mobile phone and electronic gadget retail outfit.[35] Dbanj is now among the richest Afrobeats artists in Nigeria.