Birth Name: Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo
Stage Name: D’Banj
Nickname: Koko Master, Bangalee
Birth Date: June 9, 1980
Occupation(s): Nigerian Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Rapper, Entrepreneur, Television Personality
Genre: Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, R&B
Years Active: 2004 till present
Net Worth: Unknown
Record Label: DB Records, Dkm Media, GOOD Music, Mercury, Sony Music Entertainment
Personal Life
D’Banj is a Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, entrepreneur, and television personality who was born on June 9, 1980, in Zaria, the northern part of Nigeria and hails from Shagamu, Ogun state. D’banj’s father is a military man who controls an artillery regiment while his mother is a devout Christian and a businesswoman.
Education
At the age of 11, his father enrolled him in the Nigeria Military School with the expectancy that he would follow in his father’s footstep. However, D’banj pulled out of school after three years. He later completed his secondary education at the Navy Secondary School, Ibara, Abeokuta where he was a church worker. He dropped out of Lagos State University where he was studying Mechanical Engineering due to incessant strikes.
Career
D’banj started out playing the harmonica in tribute to his late brother, Femi Oyebanjo, who died in a plane crash at the age of 17.
After his secondary education, he moved to Lagos State University to study Mechanical Engineering but eventually dropped out due to incessant strikes. He later moved to London with the aim of completing his studies but he derailed after meeting Don Jazzy, a songwriter and producer who was trying for a breakthrough.
They both worked together and returned to Nigeria in 2004 to start a record label ‘Mo’Hits’. Mo’hits became a popular music label in Nigeria until they separated. Under the record label, they released a hit single ‘Tongolo’ which brought them to the limelight. The music video was paid for by D’banj’s mother.
After Mo’Hits was disbanded, D’banj started his own record label ‘DB Records’ and signed his brother ‘Kayswitch’, alongside two other producers – Devee and Jaysleek.
Albums
2017 – King Don Come
2008 – The Entertainment
2006 – Rundown Funk U Up
2005 – No Long Thing
Awards
2016 – BEFFTA, African Legend Award
2015 – MTV African Music Awards, Evolution Awards
2014 – All African Music Awards, Best African Collaboration ‘Cocoa na Chocolate’
2014 – World Music Awards, Best Selling African Artist
2012 – MOBO Awards, Best African Act
2011 – BET Award, Best International Act, Africa
2010 – Headies Awards, Best International Act
2009 – MTV Africa Music Awards, Artist of the Year
2008 – MTV Africa Music Awards, Artist of the Year
2008 – MTV Africa Music Awards, Listeners’ Choice
2007 – MTV Europe Music Awards, Best African Act
2007 – Channel O Music Video Awards, Best Special Effects (Why Me)
2006 – HipHop World Awards, HipHop World Revelation
2006 – Nigerian Music Awards, Artist of the Year
2006 – Channel O Music Awards, Best Newcomer
Endorsements
D’Banj is a singer who has worked so hard and is now at the top of his game.
2015 – Brand Ambassador to SLOT
2015 – Ambassador for Ciroc Nigeria
2014 – African Ambassador for Beats by Dre
2014 – Heritage Bank Deal
2013 – He resigned a multi-million Naira deal with Globacom after parting ways in 2010
2013 – Bank of Industry Ambassador
2012 – Endorsement from Power Fist, an energy drink
Personal Life
The Kokomaster got married to Lineo Didi Kilgrow in June 2016 and they had a son ‘Daniel Oyebanjo III. Sadly in May 2018, the child drowned. In January 2021, D’Banj announced the birth of his baby girl.
Trivia
In 2020, one Seyitan Babatayo took to Twitter to disclose that D’banj raped her in December 2018. He failed to react until June 16, 2020, when he filed a lawsuit, stating that the rape allegations leveled against him only ‘reopened painful scars’ of the loss of his son.
D’banj allegedly got her arrested and intimidated her to delete the tweets and promote his music effort. He also claimed to be innocent and sued Seyitan for the sum of N1.5 billion for general damages.