Afrobeats sensation Davido in a recent interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe shared his admiration for D'banj, highlighting the latter's pivotal role in bringing Nigerian music to the global stage.
Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, emphasized that D'banj was the first Nigerian musician to achieve international stardom, particularly with his 2012 hit single "Oliver Twist." According to Davido, before D'banj's success, Nigerian artists were not receiving international bookings.
Davido recounted his early days as an aspiring musician, noting how he looked up to D'banj and Wande Coal. He described his first meeting with D'banj as feeling like he had met "Jesus," underlining the profound impact D'banj had on him and other Nigerian artists.
D'banj, born Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo on June 9, 1980, gained prominence with his debut album "No Long Thing" in 2005. His career has been marked by numerous accolades, including Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2007 and Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards.
Despite facing controversies, such as his arrest by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in December 2022, D'banj's influence on the music industry remains undeniable.
Davido also reflected on his own journey to fame, which began with the release of "Dami Duro," the second single from his debut studio album "Omo Baba Olowo" in 2012. The album produced several hits and earned him the Next Rated award at The Headies in 2012. Today, Davido continues to contribute to the global rise of Nigerian music, recently earning three Grammy nominations for his album "Timeless."
In addition to his musical achievements, D'banj has been involved in humanitarian efforts, founding the Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development and serving as Nigeria's first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace. His work in raising awareness about agriculture and poverty alleviation has been recognized by global leaders, including World Bank Chief Jim Yong Kim.
Comments