Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, known globally as D’banj (and fondly as the “Kokomaster” or “Bangalee”), is a pioneering Nigerian singer, rapper and entrepreneur. Through his charismatic stage presence, signature harmonica playing and a high energy fusion of Afropop and EDM, he played a crucial role in taking Afrobeats to the global stage long before the streaming era.
Early Life and Musical Roots
Born on June 9, 1980, in Zaria, Kaduna State, to a military officer father and a businesswoman mother, D’banj was initially expected to follow a military path. He attended the Nigerian Military School but disenrolled after three years to follow his passion for music.
His musical journey was deeply personal: he was introduced to the harmonica by his older brother, Femi, who tragically died in a plane crash at age 17. Following his brother’s death, D’banj took up the instrument to honor his memory and the harmonica eventually became a defining element of his musical signature. After briefly studying mechanical engineering at Lagos State University, he moved to the UK in 2001, where he crossed paths with a then struggling producer named Don Jazzy.
Career Milestones
The partnership between D’banj and Don Jazzy would go on to redefine the Nigerian music industry in the 2000s.
2004: Mo’Hits and ‘Tongolo’
D’banj and Don Jazzy return to Nigeria to co-found Mo’Hits Records. D’banj releases his debut single “Tongolo”, introducing his trademark humor, swagger and the “Koko” slang to Nigerian pop culture.
2008: The Entertainer Era
Releases his critically acclaimed third album, The Entertainer, which featured massive continental hits like “Fall in Love,” “Suddenly” and “Gbono Feli Feli”.
2011: The G.O.O.D. Music Deal
Secures a groundbreaking deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label, acting as a crucial bridge between the Nigerian music industry and the American hiphop scene.
2012: The ‘Oliver Twist’ Global Takeover
Releases the uptempo EDM Afrobeats fusion “Oliver Twist.” The track becomes a massive international hit, peaking at No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart and serving as one of the earliest catalysts for the global Afrobeats explosion.
Beyond Music: Business and Advocacy
Following the disbandment of Mo’Hits in 2012, D’banj expanded his focus into business and philanthropy. He built a lucrative empire encompassing agriculture, technology and entertainment.
He launched the C.R.E.A.M. Platform in 2016 to help discover and fund emerging African creative talent. D’banj is also deeply involved in humanitarian work, notably serving as a ONE Campaign ambassador and Nigeria’s first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace, advocating heavily for agricultural investment and poverty alleviation across Africa.
Despite facing profound personal tragedy including the heartbreaking loss of his one year old son in 2018, D’banj has remained a resilient figure, openly discussing his faith and journey through grief. Today, he is celebrated not just as a hitmaker, but as a visionary who proved that an African artist could command the world’s attention on their own terms.