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.
Igwe
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm D'banj or Skibanj as my Jamaican friends call me
Importer exporter cocoa water heh
Osi na nwata oki ro ramafor ki igbo land
It's Don Jazzy again
Come on
Let's go
Come on
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
First time I go Jamiaca the people dey call me Skibanj
First time I go Ghana people dey call me Mensah
First time I go SouthAfrica the people dey call me Kapela
But when I reach igbo land they call me many many names they dash me a title
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya many many title dey give me
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya help me sing say
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya many many title dey give me
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya help me halla say
Igwe e igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe igwe
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
I went to Isuikwuato
Dem wan give me koko n'ebea
The first one come
The second Ngozi
The 3rd one Nwadiuto
Dem bring soup make I chop Okazi maka God otoru uto e
And when I step up to do show
When they see me
Fa n'akpo
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya many many title dey give me
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya help me sing say
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya many many title dey give me
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya help me halla say
Igwe e igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe igwe
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
O ye weri we ge men d banj ha la nu we ye ye
O ye weri we ge men d banj ha la nu we ye ye
O na bu la ta ge gu e e o na bu la ta ge gu e e
O na bu la ta ge gu e e maka dban ja we lu e e
Igwe e igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe e igwe
Igwe igwe
Igwe igwe
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
The song "Igwe" by D'Banj is an upbeat celebration of D'Banj's success and recognition in different parts of Africa, especially in Igbo land, Nigeria. He emphasizes his versatility as an importer and exporter, and his ability to adapt to different cultures with different nicknames by various peoples. In the song, he describes his experience in Igbo land, where he was recognized and honored with a chieftaincy title, Igwe de koko, which he proudly flaunts. He mentions the warm welcome accorded to him as shown through the soup, okazi, served to him by the people of Isuikwuato. The chorus and melody of the song are upbeat and catchy and lend itself to dance and celebration.
The use of local slangs and parlance by D'Banj in this song was to display his Afrocentricism and his African pride. Also, the infusion of different languages shows how diverse and inclusive Africa is. The song points to the importance of the recognition of a person's achievements and and the need to celebrate them as it serves as a motivation to do more.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah ah
Expressing surprise or excitement
I'm D'banj or Skibanj as my Jamaican friends call me
Introducing himself and mentioning his nickname given by his Jamaican friends
Importer exporter cocoa water heh
Referring to his business ventures and products he trades in
Osi na nwata oki ro ramafor ki igbo land
Explaining how people in Igbo land have given him various titles and honors
It's Don Jazzy again
Acknowledge and call-out to his frequent collaborator and music producer, Don Jazzy
Come on
Encouraging his listeners to join in
Let's go
Urging his listeners to get ready to take action
D'banj oh D'banj abiala
Repeating his name and establishing his identity
Ebube dike D'banj abiala
Boasting himself as a hero or warrior, and repeating his name
Igwe de koko ooo D'banj abiala
Referring to himself as a king or ruler in the koko (referring to his music style) world
First time I go Jamiaca the people dey call me Skibanj
Recalling his first visit to Jamaica and being addressed by his Jamaican friends using his nickname
First time I go Ghana people dey call me Mensah
Recalling his first visit to Ghana and being addressed by the locals using a different name
First time I go SouthAfrica the people dey call me Kapela
Recalling his first visit to South Africa and being addressed by the locals using yet another name
But when I reach igbo land they call me many many names they dash me a title
Contrasting his experiences in other countries with his lavish reception and recognition from locals once he arrived in Igbo land
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya many many title dey give me
Repeating and emphasizing how he has been given many titles and honors in Igbo land
Osi na nwata buru ogaraya help me sing say
Asking for help from the crowd to sing along
And when I step up to do show
Referring to his performances on stage
When they see me
When he appears on stage and in front of his fans
Fa n'akpo
They shout out loud with excitement and admiration
O ye weri we ge men d banj ha la nu we ye ye
A chant or repeated phrase that his fans use to express their enthusiasm during his shows
O na bu la ta ge gu e e o na bu la ta ge gu e e
Another chant that his fans use to cheer him up and show their support
O na bu la ta ge gu e e maka dban ja we lu e e
A callout to D'banj, acknowledging him as a successful artist and performer
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Timothy
on Mo Gbono Feli Feli
Can't get tired listening to this song