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.
Mobolowowon
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am D'banj or Ski'banj like my Jamaican friends call me
Make I tell dem na my story
Make una listen o
And all you have to say is mobolowowon
Ok and that one mean say wetin e mean o mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Ah emi D'banj
Won le mu mi mobolowo gbogbo won
Ewa gbo ewa gbo make una listen
Ewa gbo story
Morenike wa n'ile
Ashake gbe yo
Morenike fa mi ni buba
Ashake fa mi ni sokoto
Won ni skibanj you are too bad
They said D'banj you are a great player
Ki n to seju peren won ti pe ojo fun mi
Ani ki n to seju peren awon eke ti pe jo
Se won mo wipe won poto lati mu mi
Ani se won mo wipe I am the great ni
Mobolowowon
Ah emi ti ja mobolowowon
Lori oya mobolowowon
Mo ti gba gi relay mobolowowon
Ani mo ti gba gi relay mobolowowon
Ota n gbogun aye n gbogun mobolowowon
Ota n reti eleya mi o mobolowowon
Ti o ba ni oni lo ma mu ola lo ma mu o mobolowowon
Ni bo le fi ti Oluwa mi si o mobolowowon
Glory glory halleluiah
Thank you father for always being there mobolowowon
Glory glory halleluiah
A fi ope fun baba wa alpha and omega mobolowowon
Nigba ti mo de London
Emi o ri ise se ah
Awon guys won so wipe skibanj ole pa 1K ah
Won ni ti n ba se dada ma pa ju be lo in one day ah
Won ni ise ti ma se nipe ma lo na ke eh
Niba ti a de Dickson awa lo te ke
Awon egbon ti so fun wipe kin salo to ba ja de
I be like mumu
I stand there dey look
Every body in the shop
Stand there dey look
Ki n to seju peren won ti pe ojo fun mi
Ani ki n to seju peren awon eke ti pe jo
Se won mo wipe
Won poto lati mu mi
Ani se won mo wipe I am the great ni
Mobolowowon
Ah emi ti ja mobolowowon
Lori oya mobolowowon
Mo ti gba gi relay mobolowowon
Ani mo ti gba gi relay mobolowowon
Ota n gbogun aye n gbogun mobolowowon
Ota n reti eleya mi o mobolowowon
Ti o ba ni oni lo ma mu ola lo ma mu o mobolowowon
Ni bo le fi ti Oluwa mi si o mobolowowon
Glory glory halleluiah
Thank you father for always being there mobolowowon
Glory glory halleluiah
A fi ope fun baba wa alpha and omega mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Mobolowowon
Ah emi ti ja mobolowowon
Lori oya mobolowowon
Mo ti gba gi relay mobolowowon
Ani mo ti gba gi relay mobolowowon
Ota n gbogun aye n gbogun mobolowowon
Ota n reti eleya mi o mobolowowon
Ti o ba ni oni lo ma mu ola lo ma mu o mobolowowon
Ni bo le fi ti Oluwa mi si o mobolowowon
Glory glory halleluiah mobolowowon
Thank you father for always being there mobolowowon
Glory glory halleluiah mobolowowon
A fi ope fun baba wa alpha and omega mobolowowon
You don know
D'banj run gone
The song "Mobolowowon" by D'Banj tells the story of his rise to fame and success. The song starts by introducing the artist himself, and his Jamaican nickname "Ski'banj". He then goes on to explain that "mobolowowon" is a phrase that means "whatever it takes". He then tells the listener that he wants to share his story with them.
The song then describes D'Banj's journey, from his humble beginnings in Nigeria to his travels to London. He talks about the challenges he faced, including people who doubted him and situations where he felt like a fool. However, he also expresses gratitude to God for always being there for him.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "mobolowowon", emphasizing the idea that success comes from working hard and doing whatever it takes to achieve your goals. Overall, the message of the song is one of perseverance and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
I am D'banj or Ski'banj like my Jamaican friends call me
Introducing himself, D'Banj mentions his Jamaican nickname Ski'banj.
Make I tell dem na my story
He wants to share his personal story with his audience.
And all you have to say is mobolowowon
The audience's response to his story is simply to chant 'mobolowowon'.
Ok and that one mean say wetin e mean o mobolowowon
D'Banj asks the audience what 'mobolowowon' means.
Mobolowowon
The audience chant 'mobolowowon' repeatedly.
Ah emi D'banj
D'Banj refers to himself as 'Ah emi D'banj'.
Won le mu mi mobolowo gbogbo won
D'Banj says that everyone wants to take his money.
Ewa gbo ewa gbo make una listen
He wants them to listen intently and attentively.
Morenike wa n'ile
D'Banj mentions a female name 'Morenike', saying she is at home.
Ashake gbe yo
He mentions another female name 'Ashake', saying she is wearing a blouse and wrapper.
Morenike fa mi ni buba
He mentions more about Morenike, saying that she gave him a shirt.
Ashake fa mi ni sokoto
He also mentions something about Ashake, saying that she gave him a pair of trousers.
Won ni skibanj you are too bad
People call him 'too bad' or 'cool'.
They said D'banj you are a great player
People also say he is a great player.
Ki n to seju peren won ti pe ojo fun mi
D'Banj says that he is ready to surprise those who said he can't make it.
Ani ki n to seju peren awon eke ti pe jo
He is determined to prove the doubters wrong.
Se won mo wipe won poto lati mu mi
He wants to show his critics that they were wrong about him.
Ani se won mo wipe I am the great ni
D'Banj affirms himself that he is great.
Ni bo le fi ti Oluwa mi si o mobolowowon
D'Banj says he credits his success to God.
Glory glory halleluiah
He praises and thanks God.
Thank you father for always being there mobolowowon
D'Banj thanks God for all he has done for him.
Nigba ti mo de London
D'Banj recalls a time he was in London.
Emi o ri ise se ah
He says he hasn't seen work there.
Awon guys won so wipe skibanj ole pa 1K ah
Some guys accused him of stealing £1,000.
Won ni ti n ba se dada ma pa ju be lo in one day ah
They said if he works hard, he can make more money in one day than the £1,000 he allegedly stole.
Won ni ise ti ma se nipe ma lo na ke eh
They tell him to go and sell aso eke (textiles).
Niba ti a de Dickson awa lo te ke
He says that when he got to Dickson (a market), he was able to sell.
Awon egbon ti so fun wipe kin salo to ba ja de
His elders advised him not to waste time, but to go quickly when he has the opportunity.
I be like mumu
D'Banj says he was foolish for listening to doubters.
I stand there dey look
He admits that he stood there and did nothing productive.
Every body in the shop
People were around him.
Ki n to seju peren won ti pe ojo fun mi
D'Banj is motivated to prove his doubters wrong.
Ani ki n to seju peren awon eke ti pe jo
He is determined to succeed despite the critics.
Se won mo wipe won poto lati mu mi
He wants to prove his haters wrong.
Ani se won mo wipe I am the great ni
He affirms himself that he is great.
Ni bo le fi ti Oluwa mi si o mobolowowon
D'Banj thanks God for being by his side for his success.
Thank you father for always being there mobolowowon
He is grateful to God.
A fi ope fun baba wa alpha and omega mobolowowon
He praises God, calling him the alpha and omega.
You don know
D'Banj concludes with a statement to end the song.
D'banj run gone
D'Banj says goodbye and exits the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@babalois6202
Best track ever 👍🏿
@mftls523
My best song just before I left the shore of Nigeria, his best so far
@yusufolamilekan5762
baba dbang....I always feel you music .