Twenty-four year old D’banj is a London-based Nigerian singer and songwriter, as well as a harmonica master and a charismatic stage performer with boundless energy…

D’banj grew up listening to music by Fela Kuti (“My great mentor.”) and has performed at Femi Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, as well as the Shrine Synchro System’s regular London night at Cargo and the Black President (The Art & Legacy of Fela Kuti) concert series at the Barbican in London. Without ever turning into a mere carbon copy of his hero D’banj brings Afrobeat to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm, as well as a good dose of humour. 

He vows that all of his songs are based on true stories of his own life, often hilarious, but also with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young African trying to achieve his dreams – in his case is to be a successful artist/musician (D’banj: “D’banj is music, music is D’banj”). D’banj performs in Yoruba, English and, like his hero Fela Kuti, in Pidgin (broken) English, and has performed his songs as a special guest at various JJC & 419 Squad shows including this year’s WOMAD Rivermead. 

Whilst being a charming, easy-going and humble young man, D’banj has just one ambition: to be the biggest living African artist in the world. With his first single and video “Mobolowowon (Mo Ti Ja)”, an infectious Afrobeat tune with a juju edge, out very soon, and his debut album in the works, this ambition could soon turn into reality.

D’banj grew up listening to music by Fela Kuti ("My great mentor.") and has performed at Femi Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, as well as the Shrine Synchro System’s regular London night at Cargo and the Black President (The Art & Legacy of Fela Kuti) concert series at the Barbican in London. Without ever turning into a mere carbon copy of his hero D’banj brings Afrobeat to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm, as well as a good dose of humour. He vows that all of his songs are based on true stories of his own life, often hilarious, but also with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young African trying to achieve his dreams – in his case is to be a successful artist (D’banj: "D’banj is music, music is D’banj"). D’banj performs in Yoruba, English and, like his hero Fela Kuti, in Pidgin (broken) English.

D’banj was born as Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo in the Northern city of Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, to an artillery officer and a church dignitary. Due to his father’s job D’banj’s family moved numerous times, within Nigeria, as well as abroad to India. When D’banj was 11 years old he was sent to the Nigerian Military School and was expected to enter the military like his father. But at 14 D’banj picked up a weapon of a different kind, and altogether more peaceful: the harmonica. He was introduced to the instrument by his late brother who tragically died in a plane cash at only 17. His brother’s harmonica was one of his possessions that was recovered after the accident and D’banj started to cherish it. D’banj’s incredible harmonica skills are self-taught; he says: "I play the harmonica like it was built for me."

D’banj became more and more involved in music and could not see himself doing anything else with the same passion. His song "All Da Way" is about the struggles he has faced with his parents over his chosen career. Dapo had now adopted the elegant, almost French-sounding, name D’banj, a combination of his first name Dapo and his surname Oyebanjo, and moved to Lagos where he recorded tracks with several established acts, including the Nigerian rap star Ruggedman. Then, in December 2002, against his parents’ wishes, D’banj moved to London to further his musical career. This is where he met JJC (aka Skillz), producer for, amongst others, Jamelia, Lemar, Big Brovaz, Liberty X, and Jay Sean. Together with the 419 Squad, JJC forms the critically-acclaimed African hip-hop act JJC & 419 Squad which fuses African rhythms, hip-hop and salsa, as well as mixing his Yoruba with English. D’banj started hanging out with the group, going to their shows, initially just playing harmonica on some tracks, but eventually also recording solo tracks with JJC and co-producer Don Jazzy. When asked how he would describe his own musical style, he says: "I play the harmonica and I sing Afropean (i.e. African European) music. My music is from the heart. Is it Afrobeat? I think it’s just uncategorisable." Together with JJC & 419 Squad D’banj has performed at many high-profile shows in the UK, including the WOMAD 2004 festival, the Fast Forward event (organized by the Mayor of London, the BBC and the Arts Council, held in London’s Trafalgar Square), and the Notting Hill Carnival. Together with JJC, Don Jazzy, Kween and Smokey of 419 Squad, D’banj also returned to Nigeria this summer for a promotional visit.

Although he is still occasionally taking to the stage with JJC & 419 Squad, D’banj is now concentrating on his solo shows, as well as performing with Kween who D’banj has also recorded a track with ("Don’t Ask Me"). D’banj is a natural, charismatic and infectious performer, and a true entertainer. He brought the house down at the recent Nigerian Independence Intro Jam 2004 at the Ocean in London, highlights of which were broadcast on BEN TV (Sky TV 184). D’banj may be a newcomer in this game but he proved that he can certainly more than hold his own next to seasoned performers like Nigerian stars Maintain and Eedris Abdulkareem.

Whilst being a charming, easy-going and humble young man, D’banj has just one ambition: to be the biggest living African artist in the world. With his first single and video "Mobolowowon", an infectious Afrobeat tune with a juju edge, out very soon, and his debut album in the works, this ambition could soon turn into reality.

For more information on D’banj and to join his mailing list please email ilka@dbanj.com

To hear an extract of one of his tracks go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/africaonyourstreet/jjc.shtml
(then go to Recommended CDs and scroll down)

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