Kikiowo Ileowo: My own problem with D’banj is different

by Kikiowo Ileowo

In loving memory of those who died during the Occupy Nigeria protest between the 2nd and 13th of January 2012.

Unlike many others, the aim of this write-up is not to analyse D’Banj’s singing prowess, neither is it to debate his somewhat nose-diving music career recently resuscitated by the much-hyped Koko Concert 2012.

I have followed D’Banj’s music career from its rise till date. Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’Banj, had a humble beginning. He moved from one Nigerian military barrack to the other before relocating to England, failing to follow in his father’s footstep as a military man.

Fate shot him into limelight, shortly after leaving 419 & JJC squad to form the now-defunct Mo’Hits record label with erstwhile business partner, Micheal Collins, popularly known as Don Jazzy.

D’Banj, in collaboration with Don Jazzy, released hit songs from their first album, No Long Thing in 2005, which had the hit track, Tongolo, on it. They subsequently released Run Down in 2006, which had hit tracks such as Funk U Up, Why Me, Tongolo Remix. In the years 2007 and 2008, he released Curriculum Vitae and The Entertainer respectively. Oh, who could forget those melodious tunes like Gbono Feli Feli, Olorun Maje, Kimon, and the others?

D’Banj is an entertainer, a good, one with lots of energy, but he is a typical example of everything wrong with Nigeria.

Hold it; don’t haul your stones yet. I was once a fan like you; in fact a loyal one, but now, you can remove the prefix ‘loyal’. I think too much money and stardom got into the Koko master’s head and regrettably, he lost it completely.

His journey into the abyss started when he turned himself to Jonathan’s scapegoat, and went ahead to remix that beautiful tune ‘Scapegoat’ in support of the same.

Having seen the Dr’s cluelessness in office for about one year before the 2011 elections, I knew without an iota of doubt that nothing could come out of Jonathan’s ‘Nazareth’. During D’Banj’s ill-fated interview with the ‘PhD’ holder, he failed to ask why he wouldn’t hold a live televised debate with other candidates. He simply played the script so well, an action which, as some rumoured, fetched him an oil well.

As pardonable as that goof was, D’Banj iced his cake with idiocy by standing aloof during the Occupy Nigeria protest. Anyway, he couldn’t have voiced his support for the oppressed because his tent was and is pitched with the oppressors. He wines and dines with the sons of Allison-Madueke, the corrupt ‘witch’ overseeing the oil industry. It’s commendable that he has made millions in the entertainment industry, but by taking sides with those flying in jets all over the world, using Nigeria’s commonwealth which they stole, he lost me as a fan.

During the protest, He claimed he was tucked away in London, working on his new song; I am sure the song he was working on is the flopped ‘Oyato’. “D’Banj, how come you were so unattached to the suffering of your fellow citizens? Anyway, we all know that was a lie you concocted to save face.”

In a somewhat surprising move though, D’Banj’s erstwhile partner, Don Jazzy, tweeted quoting he regrets supporting Otedollar’s friend for the presidency, but D’Banj kept mute, and went ahead to insult the collective psyche of his remaining fans on Thursday, 27th December, 2012, at his Koko Concert by asking them to apologise to the rich because they ‘sponsored’ the show… I must confess, it is a rare talent you have; insulting your fans, yet smiling to the bank at the same time (apologies to Omojuwa).

My cross with D’Banj is the oppressive mentality he possesses, considering his humble beginning at the military barracks he grew up. He has simply shown, through his remarks at the Koko Concert, that he is one and the same as his mentors like Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Allison-Madueke, Otedollar, and others who daily inflict torture on Nigerians, they simply loot them dry, and then say “I don’t give a damn.”

Can Mr Oyebanjo tell us one thing his Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development has achieved? D’Banj is only a UN Youth Ambassador for Peace for publicity sake. All the same, it is not his fault; I only blame some Nigerians who celebrate mediocrity daily. It is the fault of every sycophant around him who has decided to side with the idiocy he represents.

The only way out of this quagmire is for D’Banj to change all he symbolises, and start using his ‘stardom’ positively, else he would end up where he began.

D’Banj can start by stepping up the activities of his foundation, and also start conducting himself like a peace ambassador he was selected to be.

In the same vein, all entertaining artistes who owe their ‘stardom’ to the Nigerian masses should come out and identify with them like many did during the Occupy Nigeria protest, or else they would have no guaranteed place in the New Nigeria.

*Ileowo tweets @ileowo4ever

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Comments (30)

  1. I began reading this write up and when i read a few lines, i realized it was from one of those Ocuppy (Opportunist) people i STOPPED! let me tell you how Ocuppy went down in Abuja, it eventually became a carnival for the "Hausa rich" kids – Power bikes, Arabian tents, food/picnics etc ! Occupy lost its taste so please dont come here to blame Dbanj for not joining what opportunist claimed was a protest. If we really wanted to copy like the Egyptians it would have been worthwhile. Joining any protest should be a thing of choice, those who lost their life, how many of you so called occupiers have bothered to check up their family etc? hypocrites.

  2. Nigerian's alway refuse to value their own. Nigerians will castigate mikel Obi,

    Yakubu aiyegbeni is bad, dbanj is a fool … Name it. Sometimes this freedom of

    Information seems to be too powerful a tool for most of this lazy journalist

    That seat by there laptops and write junks

  3. This is too much of a one sided article, all over the world artist support politicians in their own little

    Way and problems dnt arise at the end of their campaigns. Have U forgotten

    That same even happen in U.S. This young man is should not be named in GED's

    Problem. This article is one of the reasons why jornalist are been humilated

    In Nigeria. We don't balance our stories.

    We write out of self inspiriration. I pity una

  4. No way thats where your wrong. KOKO mansion was a business move. I can almost beat my chest that DBanj made more money than the winner. So get your head out of the clouds. The point is you Nigerians are used to being opressed. So dont gimme that crap about him "bettering" the life of the winner.

  5. Please iwould like to know what that is oh

  6. Thant name is fake, the article is fake and sponsored, obviously. People's conscience are bought so easily these days. Where is Nigeria heading when the youth are so corrupt. Its is so clear that this writer is biased, dirty, petty and utterly hopeless. Gnevieve suported and campaigned openly for GEJ, so also KOK, Stephanie Okereke, Weird MC and a host of others. Those ones are never criticized except Dbanj. It is either you are jealous of his achievements or just pained that the young man is making a head way in life. I will advise you focus on your life, work at being a success…infact, just get a life!!! Kikiowo.??..no yoruba bears that kind of name. It is fake!!!!!

    1. What really got me pissed 'bout this right up is that D'banj form his 1st singles/ album never ever portrayed himself as an human right activist but as an entertainer. His job is to entertain in any form and get paid. Since the Donjazzy and d'banj split the attack has always been on d'banj. He owes no one obligation whether to occupy naija or not, I did not occupy naija and no one killed me. And his campaign for GEJ didn't force our thumbs to vote for him except you don't have a mind of your own. So get a life.

  7. @Kikiowo – you are suffering from "Relapsing Fever". I read up online write-ups by some individuals just like you, and just wonder how much you get paid to smear people's efforts. Anyway this is not new..Fela Kuti suffered same fate by newspaper publications for years. I am afraid i might cause some sought of Revolution in naija if i articulate my thoughts about recent write ups by your likes… the politicians have forgotten about elections, the Goodluck haters have forgiven him,the subsidy fight is long gone…is dbanj contesting? why bring up settled dust? just because a concert did not live up to hype? or dbanj did not articulate properly how to thank his "Sponsors" for the event & got carried away not thanking the "Fans" accordingly that night? since he spoke in yoruba that night ..can you let us know the Yoruba sentence that could have been used appropriately to thank the event's "Sponsors"? what foundation have you established? i am disappointed with your write-up ..like i said, you have a case of "relapsing fever"

  8. You have a big problem, seek help.

  9. there is really no much reason reading more dan 2 lines here!dis pure hatred mehn,we know de kokoconcert fucked up in 2 ways,1:the location 2:What he said on stage,but let me ask you are you perfect?????dere is so much hate written all over dis article cause if you are perfect you wont write all dis about sum1.

  10. I am glad nigerians wouldn't allow some "journalist" or should I say "story tellers" to change their perception of a person with the aid of bias considerations…why not write an article on the square brothers,tu face 9ice an other artiste,are they not big in their own rights.just get a life dude.

  11. Wait a minute, Y senior editor posted this right?… Apt! Ok let me start this way, no Nigerian in past year had ever given Nigeria's image a facelift than D'banj and one or two other entertainers.

    Even in the face of US and UK govts warnings on their cirizens against making a trip to Nigeria, D'banj still pulled them here to perform.

    While people like you are busy drawing your futile swords, the young man is moving forward and breaking new grounds. Believe me a lot of positve-forward thinking Nigerians are drawing influences from that.

    The angle of a nose-diving tale you are painting eludes me really. If he does not have a do tell Don Jazzy to make his on vocal version of 'Oliver Twist' maybe it will calm your frail nerves like Black Face did his own version of Tuface's African queen.

    Shaking my head really – so much bitterness – I'm out!

  12. @Bee:thank you for dat when you are not God almighty you have the right to say he will go back to where he started???i repeat you are a hater for all dis!!!u and Omojuwa dat you mention his name should go to hell,dat foolish Immatured Human!!!!

  13. This write-up is an example of everything bad in Nigeria. The very same pull-him-down syndrom. So mr writer would you be glad if D'banj falls back to where he started from? You know whenever the guy and his family pray about God dealing with whomever is seeking his downfall, bear in mind you'll top the list.

    Sour loser you are obviously.

  14. Damn…what has dbanj done to dis writter to deserve so much hate from him!!Pls take it easy no body is perfect,lets be realistic was don jazzy on dat same campaign for occupy nigeria????No he was not rather he sat down on twitter and started ranting on how he will send a tweet and it will get to aso rock bullshit!infact u are a bloody fool to attack dbanj along and saying crab about wether he sat with otedola if otedola was ur friend would you write dis???You have to read these mess again and take it to your self that you are a bloody hater,and as for the Omojuwa you mention i follow him on twitter all what that Immatured married man is always doing on twitter is to insult dbanj an take side with don jazzy but you people should not forget that dbanj and jazzy ate dat money of him singing for Goodluck together if there were given money,because if you watch dat video properly you will see dat when they were recording dat song don jazzy younger broda was the one doing the recording in the studio,so if you want to critize sum1 kindly critisize constructively not critisize with Hatred!!!Thanks to all Reading and HappySunday!

  15. Damn…what has dbanj don to dis writter to deserve so much hate from him!!Pls take it easy no body is perfect,lets be realistic was don jazzy on dat same campaign for occupy nigeria????No he was not rather he sat down on twitter and started ranting on how he will send a tweet and it will get to aso rock bullshit!infact u are a bloody full to attack dbanj along and saying crab about wether he sat with otedola if otedola was ur friend would you write dis???You have to read these mess again and take it to your self that you are a bloody hater,and as for the Omojuwa you mention i follow him on twitter all what that Immatured married man is always doing on twitter is to insult dbanj an take side with don jazzy but you people should not forget that dbanj and jazzy ate dat more of him singing for Goodluck together if there were given money,because if you watch dat video properly you will see dat when they were recording dat song don jazzy younger broda was the one doing the recording in the studio,so if you want to critize sum1 kindly critisize constructively not critisize with Hatred!!!Thanks to all Reading and HappySunday!

  16. A corrected Vision of my previous comment. Very difficult typing in this environment. The last time I checked, our own 2face was not also present at the occupy protest and almost everyone seems oblivious of that fact. However, my mention of the ace musician (2face) isn't aimed @ tarnishing his imagine, rather, to corroborate my assertions. In the same vein, the essayist made a colossal blunder of inestimable measure when reasoned in the manner which portrayed D'banj as the only artiste that campaigned for Jonathan's return. In a related issue, our revered Onyeka, Daddy Shokey etc., and several others endorsed Jonathan, likewise our own prestigious Daddy G.O and other religious bodies. Another pit fall of the essayist was the flagrant omission of the koko mansion, a project carried out by D'banj, who is the subject of the matter. That reality show was aimed at bettering the life of the winner, and also for a change of level, which we all are living witnesses. The essayist should mention any Nigerian artistes with that honour. Furthermore, the essayist should also note, for benefit of subsequent publications, if at all any, that to every view, there is always a positive and a negative parts which this write-up lacks . The preceding proposition is therefore directed at the essayist in order to pursue and objective part in matter of public cynosure, and not a view I tagged a discarded write-up which should be kept in a bin of discarded write-ups. No one is immune to mistake.

  17. omg! So much hate for dbanj *smh for d author* i cant even point to one sensible offence the dirty author of this useless article has written apart from rants, more rants, and more more rants like a toddler. *passing off baseless speculations as facts* Go get a life. Smh, and you will probably get paid 4 ds issh. Mtsheew!

  18. Nice piece though. Irrespective of the hurled stone's at dapo's personality I still remain a fan of his. I don't and will never celebrate mediocrity. Instead of throwing stone, I think your criticism should be more constructive if truly you are a true patriot who wants him to be on the side of the masses….fans. You as a Nigeria u are not in the best postion to hit him pen-wise if you have not tread in his shoes. Shalom!

  19. True talk. D'banj is a traitor.

  20. The last time I checked, our own 2face was not also present at the occupy protest and almost everyone seems oblivious of that fact. However my mentioning of the ace musician (2face) isn't aimed to tarnish his imagine, rather to corroborate my assertions. In the same vein, the essayist, made a colossal blunder of inestimable measure when reasoned in manner which portrayed D'banj as the only artiste that campaigned for Jonathan's return. In a related issue, our revered Onyeka, Daddy Shokey etc., and several others endorsed Jonathan, likewise our own prestigious Daddy G.O and other religious bodies. Another pit fall of the essayist was the flagrant omission of the koko mansion, a project carried out by D'banj, who is the subject of the matter. That reality show was aimed at bettering the life of the winner, a change of level, which we all are living witness. The essayist should mention any Nigerian artistes with that honour. Furthermore, the essayist should note, for benefit of subsequent publications, if at all any, that for every view, there is always positive and negative part which is this write-up lacks . The preceding proposition is therefore directed at the essayist to pursue and objective part in matter of public cynosure, and not a view I tagged a discarded write-up which should be kept in a bin of discarded write-ups. D'banj no one is immune to mistake, that's why no one is transcendental.

  21. We demand a lot of these entertainers. How many of your parents, pastors or imans came out to support these protests. Did you castigate them yet?

    1. Ileowo abi ile-igbe! Just go get a life! U claim to be a 'critic' yet all I see is personal attack here. Your view is skewed! You need re-alignment or better still behead yourself and leave it in a chiller to cool off! #smh#

    2. Well, I think you need publicity. Oh yeah!!! You av one now. I don't really blame you, I blame Y! Naija editors.

  22. U wud do d same if u were in dbanj's shoes…as if u won't collect money from jonathan today if he asked u to spk good abt him….bloody critic….r u perfect or don't u do wrong too? So don't go about judging pple…get a life n stop attacking dbanj dat is enjoyin his life…u r only hurtin urself..idiot

  23. Asides the fact that this article is badly written; I really can't follow the train of thought of this individual please. What exactly is your problem with Dbanj? His getting rich? Hailing his patrons at the concert? (Wouldn't you do the same?) Or not being humble? Please get over yourself please!

  24. Ileowo or whatever your name is your just an example of one of the things wrong with Nigeria's pathetic journalism. Personal attack, if he starts listing what his foundation has done idiots like u, will say he is doing it for publicity. Damned if u do damned if u don't.

  25. Oh.. Bless you! Bless you for this. Well writen! However, it sad we don't face the true in this part of the world. Some pple said he has apologies so he pple should move on! This get me sick!!! He apologies and smiled to the bank at the expnese of others? Well, u said it! Is made of all the country situation.

  26. D'banj comes across as an arrogant SOB who believes too much in his own hype. However he was not under any obligation to join in the Occupy Nigeria protests. To continually castigate him for not joining the movement is just ridiculous.

  27. Bad belle…go get a life!!! Write about your own history and let's see how many bullshits u've gat …. U seems jobless…and trying to hunt down Ejanla..mtcheew for u

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