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.
Entertainer
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One time, gonna change it to nairas
I work hard tryna double my naira
I spend it in Lagos, I spend it in dollars
I work hard tryna double my naira
One time gonna change it to naira
I work hard, I work hard, I work hard, I work hard
I'm an entertainer, I entertain
I′m an entertainer, I entertain
I'm an entertainer (yeah), 'tainer, ′tainer (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) oh
I′m D'Banj, I love to sing, 24/7 I entertain
Kokolets claim that they know my name
That my koko always drive them insane, file! Ah! Mm!
I′m not to blame, I came through the door and I changed the game
I rose from shame to fame, now I make it rain
Yeah, the people screaming my name
(Dapo, Dapo) kokolet, babylet
(D'Banja) mamalet, sisilet
(Dapo, Dapo) kokolet, babylet
(D′Banj) and the guys be asking me
"Nibo lo ti l'owo? Where you get your money from?"
"Nibo lo ti l′owo? Where you get your money from?"
I work hard now, I make chips (as far as I'm concern)
And Don Jazzy made the beat when I burst it a hit now
I'm an entertainer, I entertain (I work hard tryna double my naira)
An entertainer, I entertain (one time gonna change it to naira)
I′m an entertainer, I entertain (I work hard tryna double my naira)
I′m an entertainer (I work hard now), 'tainer (I work hard now), ′tainer (I work hard now) oh
Baa baa black sheep, why you wanna come and yarn this dumb shit
You started from afar your staring at my Dolce
You come close, now you stepping on my Gucci
On my Gucci, you stepping on my Gucci
Think twice before you hate on my music
Get away from here, you are oozing
I'm winning and you′re losing
House to house, I move like Micky the Mouse
Move like Tom and Jerry, and now I'm in your house
I make you and your spouse to begin to bounce
The more you dancing my pocket e dey show as pounds
You say, "Nibo lo ti l′owo? Where you get your money from?"
"Nibo lo ti l'owo? Where you get your money from?"
I work hard now, I make chips (as far as I'm concern)
And Don Jazzy made the beat when I burst it a hit now
I′m an entertainer, I entertain (I work hard tryna double my naira)
An entertainer, I entertain (one time gonna change it to naira)
I′m an entertainer, I entertain (I work hard tryna double my naira)
I'm an entertainer (I work hard now), ′tainer (I work hard now), 'tainer (I work hard now) oh
Hold it now! For those of you that think that I cannot sing, that say I cannot sing
That one na for your pocket, your pocket, your pocket
You don′t really had to sing anything thing at all
You know the good thing about being an entertainer? Ah
You can entertain them, let them move their body
You don't have to make sense, you don′t have to make sense
I'm serious, you think I'm joking? Okay! Watch this!
I′m an entertainer, I entertain (I work hard tryna double my naira)
An entertainer, I entertain (one time gonna change it to naira)
I′m an entertainer, I entertain (I work hard tryna double my naira)
I'm an entertainer (are you not entertained?), ′Tainer, 'tainer (are you not entertained?) Oh
Ye!
Are you not!
Pay me my money!
In D'Banj's song Entertainer, the singer talks about his perseverance in trying to earn money by working hard to double his naira (Nigerian currency). He sings about spending his hard-earned money both in Lagos and in dollars. The song emphasizes his pursuit of wealth and his hustle to succeed in the music industry.
D'Banj refers to himself as an entertainer, and repeats the line 'I entertain' multiple times throughout the song. He boasts about his fame and the impact he has had on the music industry with his unique style, which has made him a popular figure amongst fans. The lyrics also touch on the jealousy and skepticism he faces from those who doubt the source of his wealth, with people often questioning where he gets his money from and how he is able to live such a lavish lifestyle.
The chorus of the song is repetitive, but the melody is catchy and draws in listeners, making it a popular dance tune. D'Banj's confidence in his music and talent is evident throughout the song, with his lyrics serving as an insight into his mindset as an entertainer.
Line by Line Meaning
I work hard tryna double my naira
I put in a lot of effort to increase my earnings in Nigerian currency
One time, gonna change it to nairas
Someday I will convert all of my money to Nigerian naira currency
I spend it in Lagos, I spend it in dollars
I use my money in Lagos, Nigeria as well as US dollars for international transactions
I'm an entertainer, I entertain
As a musician, I make music to entertain people
Kokolets claim that they know my name
My fans, also known as Kokolets, say they know me
I came through the door and I changed the game
I made a significant impact when I entered the music industry
House to house, I move like Micky the Mouse
I am constantly on the move like a mouse, performing at different venues
You don't have to make sense, you don′t have to make sense
As an entertainer, it's not always necessary to have a deep or meaningful message in my music
Pay me my money!
I am demanding compensation for my work as an entertainer
Writer(s): Daniel Oyebanjo
Contributed by Asher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Timothy
on Mo Gbono Feli Feli
Can't get tired listening to this song