Ola Akinwunmi
Nigerian music icon Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, widely known as D’banj, has offered a heartfelt reflection on his illustrious music journey and the explosive growth of Afrobeats on the global stage.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Adesope Live in London on Wednesday, the “Koko Master” expressed immense satisfaction with the genre’s unprecedented success, which he believes has significantly uplifted Nigerian identity worldwide.
D’banj also dropped exciting news for fans, revealing plans for an upcoming multi-artist tour alongside fellow music heavyweights Timaya and 2Baba. “I’m speaking to 2Face as well. 2Face was telling me – let’s go on a tour together. We have myself, 2Face and Timaya. We have great bodies of work,” he stated, hinting at a nostalgic yet vibrant concert series for their extensive fanbases. He emphasized the vast market available for their collective works, noting the industry’s evolution.
Adding to the anticipation, D’banj officially announced an upcoming collaboration with 2Baba. The highly anticipated track, titled “Feeling Good,” is set to be released soon. “For those who have waited, I want to thank you guys. I think that would be the tag of the tour – just to thank,” he shared, suggesting the song will serve as an anthem of gratitude to his loyal supporters.
The celebrated entertainer also delved into the profound impact of Afrobeats’ global acceptance on national pride. He recounted a time when Nigerians in the diaspora felt less inclined to openly embrace their identity. “Now everybody is Afrobeats, everybody is African. But I remember when in this London it was not that great for you to say you are a Nigerian. We all wanted to be Jamaicans,” D’banj recalled. He highlighted the significant shift, where being African is now synonymous with being “the new pop.”
D’banj celebrated the widespread infiltration of African music into mainstream global culture, pointing out its frequent appearance in international productions. “These days, there is no UK movie that I’ve seen and our music is not in,” he observed, commending not only the creatives but also the entire community for this remarkable achievement.
