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.
Emergency
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I told you before
Listen
I′m dbanj
Hhm... Hhm...
Oshe...
Mogbe...
Tell me what′s your number
Is it me or something else?
Because your bakasy na thunder
You're driving me insane
You mess with my medulla...
I no go let you go in vain.
And wen i catch you na forever
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through (4ce)
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo (4ce)
Baby come to the floor (2ce)
Baby show too the floor (2ce)
Baby tell me what to do
I've been here since to two
Now l′m talking now, I′m confused
From your back, you look like toolz
Oya o Oya o...
Iwo lomo towari o...
Ode dira modi me o...
Sugbon moti cover bukata ye o...
Emergency, emergency, you never see coming through(4ce)
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Baby come to the floor (2ce)
Baby show to the floor (2ce)
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through (4ce)
Baby come to the floor (2ce)
Baby show to the floor (2ce)
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Writers: D'banj, Olu Maintain
The lyrics to D'Banj's song Emergency tell a story of a man who has become enamored with a woman he meets. He asks for her name and number and is struck by her beauty. He then mentions that she is driving him insane and affecting his medulla, which controls his involuntary functions such as heart rate and breathing. Despite this, he is determined not to let her go in vain if he catches her. The chorus of the song repeats the words "emergency" and "gbangba robo robo robo rabo" which may be interpreted as the unexpected and electrifying feeling he experiences when he sees her.
The second verse continues with the man's confusion and admiration for the woman. He is unsure of what to do and compares her to popular Nigerian radio personality Tolu Oniru, also known as Toolz. The lyrics then switch to Yoruba, a Nigerian language, where he mentions that he may be experiencing a culturally significant emotion known as "ode dira modi me," which translates to "something has gripped me." He ends the song with a repetition of the chorus and the words "baby come to the floor" and "baby show to the floor," indicating that he wants the woman to dance and move with him.
Overall, the lyrics of Emergency express the feelings of infatuation and desire for someone who has caught one's attention. The use of cultural references and language adds to the uniqueness of the song and D'Banj's style.
Line by Line Meaning
Hhm... Hhm.
D'Banj starts his song with some vocal encouragement to listen up to what he has to say.
I told you before
D'Banj is referring to his previous songs and how he was able to achieve success with his music.
Listen
The singer urges everyone to pay attention to his music.
I'm dbanj
D'Banj introduces himself as the artist behind the track they are listening to.
Oshe...
This term expresses gratitude and appreciation for life's blessings.
Mogbe...
This means 'I bow' in Yoruba, a phrase to show respect.
Baby tell me what's your name
D'Banj expresses his curiosity about a lady he has just met.
Tell me what's your number
The artist wants to be able to get in touch with this lady.
Is it me or something else?
D'Banj is wondering if the attraction he is feeling towards the lady is genuine or caused by something else.
Because your bakasy na thunder
The lady in question is so attractive that D'Banj is powerless against her beauty.
You're driving me insane
D'Banj is so infatuated with this lady that he is losing his mind.
You mess with my medulla...
The medulla oblongata is the part of the brainstem that controls vital autonomic functions, by using this term, D'Banj is saying that the lady has absolute control over him.
I no go let you go in vain
D'Banj is letting the lady know that he values her presence in his life.
And wen i catch you na forever
The singer is certain that when he finally wins the heart of this lady, it will be forever.
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
This phrase is simply an onomatopoeic sound that goes well with the rhythm of the song.
Baby come to the floor (2ce)
D'Banj is urging the lady to come close and dance to the rhythm of the song.
Baby show too the floor (2ce)
He wants this lady to showcase her dancing skills.
Baby tell me what to do
D'Banj is entrusting the lady's decision making in his hands.
I've been here since to two
D'Banj has been waiting for her since two (not sure if it means 2 PM or for 2 hours).
Now l'm talking now, I'm confused
D'Banj is trying to express his feelings towards the lady but he is finding it difficult to articulate his thoughts into words.
From your back, you look like toolz
D'Banj is comparing the lady's physique to popular Nigerian on-air personality, Tolu Oniru, who is widely known by her nickname 'Toolz'.
Oya o Oya o...
This is an encouraging phrase to get the lady to dance to the rhythm of the music.
Iwo lomo towari o...
This Yoruba phrase translates to 'You know my package' and could be suggestive of something slightly sexual.
Ode dira modi me o...
This phrase is difficult to translate, but it could mean that the lady is manipulating D'Banj using reverse psychology or some kind of subterfuge.
Sugbon moti cover bukata ye o...
This phrase is in Yoruba and translates to 'But I have covered my shame'. It could be interpreted as D'Banj being able to keep his composure despite the lady's seductive advances.
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through(4ce)
D'Banj is saying he has emerged from nowhere with his music and is now on top of his game.
Writers: D'banj, Olu Maintain
The song was written by D'Banj and Olu Maintain.
Writer(s): Daniel Oyebanjo
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nombekoketelo9922
Hmm hmm
I told you before
Listen
I'm D'banj
Hmm hmm
Oshe
Mogbe
Baby tell me what's your name
Tell me what's your number
Is it me or something else?
Because your bakasy na thunder
You're driving me insane
You mess with my medulla
I no go let you go in vain
And wen I catch you na forever
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through
(Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through)
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through
(Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through)
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Baby come to the floor
Baby come to the floor
Baby show too the floor
Baby show too the floor
Baby tell me what to do
I've been here since to two
Now l'm talking now, I'm confused
From your back, you look like toolz
Oya o oya o
Iwo lomo towari o
Ode dira modi me o
Sugbon moti cover bukata ye o
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through
(Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through)
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through
(Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through)
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Baby come to the floor
Baby come to the floor
Baby show to the floor
Baby show to the floor
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through
(Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through)
Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through
(Emergency, emergency, you never see me coming through)
Baby come to the floor
Baby come to the floor
Baby show too the floor
Baby show too the floor
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
Gbangba robo robo robo rabo
@baak5804
This is the best Original African tune that you have ever produced! Fela style !
This is the real deal !!!!
@samkairu719
how the hell did this song get such few views.....this hit is a 10/10
@bridgetudubor3691
Abi oo
@gabrielifeh341
Me self tire 😂
@mongkmorine8574
E pass me😪😪
@mongkmorine8574
@Frank Mclean i tell you ooo. I just finish listen am again tchaiii till now only 1,8k views😪
@bonifacekamau4438
My question too
@bmalcolm7903
For those that didn't know, this rhythm right here is the backbone of Afrobeat.. If you know, you know. Long live Fela.
Excellent delivery by a true son of the soil
Dbanj- Thanks for laying the groundwork.
Respect!🙏
@sb_rae
2022!! 🇰🇪 Still love this song! The video always gives me Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal vibes ❤️
@amandamanda4672
Emergency emergency you never see me coming through...baby is coming to the floor! This Zambian girl has so much love🥰🥰🥰