D'Banj Koko

“D’BANJ” (KOKO MASTER) a Nigerian singer and song writer as well as harmonica guru, a charismatic stage performer with boundless energy…. D’Banj grew up listening to Fela’s music, “his mentor” and he has performed at Femi Kuti’s new AFRIKAN SHRINE in Lagos as well as the Shrine Synchro System’s regular London Night at Cargo. He also performed at the Black President Concert in memory of Fela’s art and legacy at the Barbican in London. Without ever turning into a 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 humor. All of his songs are based on true life stories of his own life, often hilarious but 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 artiste/musician. D’Banj is music and music is D’Banj. He performs in Yoruba, English and like his hero Fela Kuti in Pidgin English and has performed his songs as guest at various JJC & 419 Squad shows including WOMAD River mead. Whilst being a charming, easy-going and humble young man, D’Banj has just one ambition; to be the biggest living African artiste in the world. With his first album titled NO LONG THING which was produce by young and talented producer; Don Jazzy which has hit tracks like; TONGOLO, MOBO LOWO WON, ALL THE WAY, SOCOR & AIRBORNE, an infectious Afrobeat tune with a juju edge, the dream is not far fetch. 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 whom hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State. Due to his father’s job, D’Banj moved several times within Nigeria as well as abroad to India. He was sent to Nigerian military school at age 11 and was expected to enter the military like his father, but at 14 D’Banj picked up a weapon of different kind and altogether more peaceful; the harmonica. He was introduced to this instrument by his late brother who tragically died in a plane crash at age 17. His brother’s harmonica was one of his possessions recovered after the incidence and D’BANJ started to cherish it. His 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 he cannot see himself doing anything else with the same passion. His song “All The Way” is about the struggles he has faced with his parents over his chosen career. Dapo has now adopted the elegant, almost French-sounding name “D’Banj”, a combination of his first name Dapo and his surname Oyebanjo. He has recorded songs with established artistes like Ruggedman, SID, JJC & 419 Squad among others. He has also performed along side many international artiste in Nigeria like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Missy Elliot, Ja Rule, Bennie Manand [[Wayne Wonder.He is a natural charismatic, energetic and infectious performer that can hold his audience to ransom for as long as he wants because nobody ever gets tired of listening to him. He is a kind of artiste that can do more than hold his own any time. He started making serious waves in Nigeria in 2006 with Rundown Funk U Up album. His most influencial tracks are 'Why Me','Tongolo Remix', and 'Booty Call'. But when the Curriculum Vitae (Mo Hits Crew Compilation) with the formerly unknown members of Mo Hits Crew, D' Prince, Wande Coal and D'Angelo, his popularity increased even much and now it has even extended to other parts of Africa especially South Africa and Ghana