He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English and has performed his songs as a guest at various JJC & 419 Squad shows including WOMAD River mead. The Oliver Twist Songfacts reports that D'banjo is a superstar in his home continent, winning many music awards including Best African Act at the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at both the 2008 and 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards and Best International Act; Africa at the 2011 BET Awards. In June 2011, D'banj signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music.
His first album titled NO LONG THING which was produced by Don Jazzy includes hits like: TONGOLO, MOBO LOWO WON, ALL THE WAY, SOCOR & AIRBORNE, an infectious Afrobeat tune with a juju edge.
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 who hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State. “D’Banj” is a combination of his first name Dapo and his surname Oyebanjo. Due to his father’s job, D’Banj moved several times within Nigeria as well as abroad to India. He was sent to the Nigerian Military School at 11 and was expected to enter the military like his father, but at 14 D’Banj was introduced to the harmonica 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”.
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
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.
Avoiding becoming an imitator of his hero, D’Banj brings Afrobeat to into the 21st century.
His songs are based on true incidents in his life, documenting the struggles of a young African trying to achieve his dreams (in his case a successful artist/musician).
D’Banj's “All The Way” is about the struggles he has faced with his parents over his chosen career.
All The Way
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once again its me, the one and only D′Banj
This track here is called Ebong
That means to say it's contegeous
It is contegeous and it′s configurated to transmit that same virus into your inner anatomy
Let's go
My mama say music no good
But me I say na him I wan do
But dem sayh I must go to school
(I try try try)
I do wetin mama say
(I try try try)
I do wetin papa say
(I try try try)
Book no enter my brain
(I try try try)
So I come start this music
All the way the way the way
All the way (ebong)
If no fit to hold this ooo this music (ebong)
Knod your head (ebong)
Knod your yansh (ebong)
Knod am to the left (ebong)
Knod am to the right (ebong)
All the way the way the way
All the way (ebong)
If no fit to hold this ooo this music (ebong)
Dance to this (ebong)
Roll your waist (ebong)
Roll am to the left (ebong)
Roll am to the right (ebong)
Dem dey stop me because I say no
Dem dey look me like say I be fool
Pastor call me to go back to school
Dem take my passport so I no go travel
(I try try try)
I do wetin mama say
(I try try try)
I do wetin papa say
(I try try try)
Book no enter my brain
(I try try try)
So I come start this music
All the way the way the way
All the way (ebong)
If no fit to hold this ooo this music (ebong)
Knod your head (ebong)
Knod your yansh (ebong)
Knod am to the left (ebong)
Knod am to the right (ebong)
All the way the way the way
All the way (ebong)
If no fit to hold this ooo this music (ebong)
Dance to this (ebong)
Roll your waist (ebong)
Roll am to the left (ebong)
Roll am to the right (ebong)
I want to see the Big Yarnsh on the left
And the small on the right (line up, let's go)
Come roll am; roll am; roll am; roll am
Come shake am; shake am; shake am; shake am
All the way the way the way
All the way (ebong)
If no fit to hold this ooo this music (ebong)
Knod your head (ebong)
Knod your yansh (ebong)
Knod am to the left (ebong)
Knod am to the right (ebong)
All the way the way the way
All the way (ebong)
If no fit to hold this ooo this music (ebong)
Dance to this (ebong)
Roll your waist (ebong)
Roll am to the left (ebong)
Roll am to the right (ebong)
The lyrics to D'Banj's "All The Way" tell the story of a young man who is passionate about music but whose parents do not agree with his choice of career. Despite his parents' disapproval, he pursues his dream and becomes successful in the music industry. The chorus encourages listeners to embrace the contagious nature of music and allow it to take over their bodies by nodding their heads, shaking their hips, and rolling their waists.
The line "Ebong" is a Nigerian slang term that means contagious. D'Banj aims to transmit the same contagious energy of his music that he feels to his listeners' inner anatomy. D'Banj's lyrics also highlight the struggle that many artists face when pursuing their dreams. He reveals that his parents did not support his decision to pursue music, and he had to overcome many obstacles and discouragements from people around him. Despite all of these obstacles, he was able to succeed.
D'Banj's "All The Way" is an uplifting and upbeat track that inspires listeners to embrace their passions and ignore naysayers. It is a celebration of the power of music to overcome difficult circumstances and create joy in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
Addressing the audience
Once again its me, the one and only D′Banj
Introducing himself
This track here is called Ebong
Naming the song
That means to say it's contegeous
Explaining the meaning of 'Ebong'
It is contegeous and it's configurated to transmit that same virus into your inner anatomy
Elaborating the contagious nature of Ebong
Let's go
Beginning the song
My mama say music no good
D'Banj's mother does not approve of his musical career
My papa say music no be food
D'Banj's father does not see music as a means of livelihood
But me I say na him I wan do
D'Banj wants to pursue music despite objections from his parents
But dem sayh I must go to school
His parents insist that he must go to school
(I try try try) I do wetin mama say
D'Banj tried to do what his mother asked of him
(I try try try) I do wetin papa say
D'Banj tried to do what his father asked of him
(I try try try) Book no enter my brain
He struggled with academics
(I try try try) So I come start this music
He ventured into music instead
All the way the way the way
The chorus of the song
If no fit to hold this ooo this music (ebong)
The music is so infectious that some people can't resist dancing to it
Knod your head (ebong)
Instructions to nod your head to the beat of the music
Knod your yansh (ebong)
Instructions to move your hips to the music
Knod am to the left (ebong)
Instructions to move left while dancing
Knod am to the right (ebong)
Instructions to move right while dancing
Dem dey stop me because I say no
People were trying to discourage him from pursuing music
Dem dey look me like say I be fool
Others saw him as foolish for choosing music over education
Pastor call me to go back to school
Even his pastor thinks he should go back to school
Dem take my passport so I no go travel
His opportunities to travel are limited due to his lack of education
I want to see the Big Yarnsh on the left, And the small on the right (line up, let's go)
Instructions for dancers to line up and showcase their moves
Come roll am; roll am; roll am; roll am, Come shake am; shake am; shake am; shake am
Instructions for dancers to roll and shake their hips to the music
Dance to this (ebong)
Instructions to dance to the song
Roll your waist (ebong)
Instructions to move your hips
Roll am to the left (ebong)
Instructions to move left while dancing
Roll am to the right (ebong)
Instructions to move right while dancing
Writer(s): Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo
Contributed by Violet H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Timothy
on Mo Gbono Feli Feli
Can't get tired listening to this song