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.
BACHELOR
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′m D'Banj
Oshe
Touchdown
I′m a bachelor making my doe
Omo malo sheshekushe ma lo fumble
Hmm, to ba lo kegbe-kegbe o ma tumble
Every man with a different story o
But no long thing, I no like tori o
Time is money why I'm always in a hurry o, yes
So, if I step on your toes, I′m sorry o
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, gbege
He-he-he-he-he, yawa
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, gwanga
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Wan ni, "I love you, I love you"
Iro nla
Wan ni, "I need you, I need you"
Ko s′ooto n be
She say she loves me, she loves me
It's all a lie
She needs me, she needs me
I′m a bachelor making my doe
Omo malo sheshekushe ma lo fumble
Hmm, to ba lo kegbe-kegbe o ma tumble
Any single bachelor, baby, let's go, ha-hmm
To the highway
(Bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors)
To the highway
(Bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors)
Hey, hey, oh-oh-oh-oh, what you sipping on?
Quit staring at the chair what I′m sipping on
Million (cash), I'm sitting on
Cool glow on my wrist got me speaking on
You don′t know about me, ask around
I love my style and I love my sound
But I keep to the city around my town
I'm a king with no queen, so let's get down
Wan ni, "I love you, I love you"
Iro nla
Wan ni, "I need you, I need you"
Ko s′ooto n be
She say she loves me, she loves me
It′s all a lie
She needs me, she needs me
Please
I'm a bachelor making my doe
Omo malo sheshekushe ma lo fumble
Hmm, to ba lo kegbe-kegbe o ma tumble
Any single bachelor, baby, let′s go, ha-hmm
To the highway
(Bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors)
To the highway
(Bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors)
Uh, yeah
Skibo
I'm a bachelor making my doe
Omo malo sheshekushe ma lo fumble
Hmm, to ba lo kegbe-kegbe o ma tumble
Any single bachelor, baby, let′s go, ha-hmm
To the highway
(Bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors)
To the highway
In the song "Bachelor", D'Banj introduces himself as a bachelor who is focused on making money. He is not interested in long stories or drama; he values his time and understands that time is money. The chorus of the song emphasizes the fact that he is a single bachelor who is uninterested in settling down, but is rather interested in having fun and enjoying his independence. The lyrics also suggest that women may sometimes lie to get closer to him, but he sees through their deceit and doesn't fall for it. The song has a catchy beat with a mix of Afrobeats and R&B, allowing listeners to dance and sing along.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a bachelor making my doe
As a single man, I'm focused on making money
Omo malo sheshekushe ma lo fumble
I don't waste time with indecision or hesitation
Hmm, to ba lo kegbe-kegbe o ma tumble
Even if the situation gets chaotic, I won't lose sight of my goals
Any single bachelor, baby, let's go, ha-hmm
I'm open to meeting new people but I'm not seeking anything serious
Every man with a different story o
We all have unique experiences and perspectives
But no long thing, I no like tori o
I don't like to waste time talking and prefer to get straight to the point
Time is money why I'm always in a hurry o, yes
I value my time and prioritize productivity
So, if I step on your toes, I′m sorry o
I apologize if my actions unintentionally cause harm
Wan ni, "I love you, I love you"
Iro nla
When she says "I love you", it's a big lie
Wan ni, "I need you, I need you"
Ko s′ooto n be
She claims she needs me, but it's not true
She say she loves me, she loves me
It's all a lie
Her expressions of love are insincere
She needs me, she needs me
Despite her lies, she still wants to be with me for my resources
Hey, hey, oh-oh-oh-oh, what you sipping on?
What drink are you enjoying?
Quit staring at the chair what I′m sipping on
Stop being nosy about what I'm drinking
Million (cash), I'm sitting on
I have a lot of money
Cool glow on my wrist got me speaking on
My expensive watch makes me feel confident and influential
You don′t know about me, ask around
If you want to know more about me, ask others who know me
I love my style and I love my sound
I take pride in my appearance and music
But I keep to the city around my town
I stick to what I know and am comfortable with
I'm a king with no queen, so let's get down
I'm successful and powerful, but I don't want a serious relationship right now
To the highway
(Bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors, bachelors)
To the highway
Let's hit the road and enjoy the single life
Uh, yeah
Skibo
Just a fun vocalization and catchphrase
Writer(s): Calvin Kenon, Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo
Contributed by Jeremiah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Timothy
on Mo Gbono Feli Feli
Can't get tired listening to this song