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.
Suddenley
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Step in the club, they′re loving me
Standing so far, yet they're touching me
I can feel their fingers robbing me
She′s calling me
Late in the night she's fucking me
All day long she's stalking me
And all these happen suddenly, so suddenly
If you ask her why, she go say
Ori yato sori
If you ask her wetin she go say
Owo yato sowo
Gbogbo wa mo wipe
Koko yato si koko
See the girls dem like me
Cos I dey give dem the kokomisen
Everyday dem go hala me
Make I give dem the kokomisen
Dem go say koko master
You too sweet like cake icing
They′ve seen so many dudes
But none of them be like me
Lets say I′m all dem see
Sharpen your eye I be jjc
They wan cook for me put si
But ko bo si, my head to strong for dem o
Quote me, na because of I fashy
When the girls dem come, I dey treat dem fine o
Quote me, that they never use to happen like this in my life
But Now dem know the kind of living
I'm living, I′m living
I say now dem know the kind of living
I'm living, I′m living
Oya suddenly
Step in the club, they're loving me
Standing so far, yet they′re touching me
I can feel their fingers robbing me
She's calling me
Late in the night she's fucking me
All day long she′s stalking me
And all these happen suddenly, so suddenly
She go say ori yato sori
If you ask her why, she go say
Ori yato sori
If you ask her, wetin she go say
Owo yato sowo
Gbogbo wa mo wipe
Koko yato si koko
I wan talk about this young girl
One of the finest girls I′ve seen
When she step over the dance floor
Her dance step so enticing
She would say kokomaster
You too strong like m bison
When we act to the movies
Especially the late night scenes
Well I remember the time
When just to get a girl to be mine
Dem go tell me say I no fine
Na poor, I poor I no commit crime
Dem go dey yap me no be small
Dem no even send me at all at all
Jus to bring their number make I call
Dem go still dey hala at at all at all
Now dem know the kind of living
I'm living, I′m living
I say Now dem know the kind of living
I'm living, I′m living
Oya suddenly
Step in the club, they're loving me
Standing so far, yet they′re touching me
I can feel their fingers robbing me
She's calling me
Late in the night she's fucking me
All day long she′s stalking me
And all these happen suddenly, so suddenly
She go say ori yato sori
If you ask her why, she go say
Ori yato sori
If you ask her, wetin she go say
Owo yato sowo
Gbogbo wa mo wipe
Koko yato si koko
In the song "Suddenly" by D'Banj, the artist reflects on his newfound fame and the attention he receives from women. The lyrics describe how he is suddenly the center of attention, with women flocking to him and constantly pursuing him. He notes that they call him the "koko master" and that they find him sweet like cake icing. Overall, the song portrays the artist's confidence and satisfaction with his life.
Throughout the song, D'Banj uses different Nigerian phrases to convey his message. He says "ori yato sori" which can mean "head is good" or "things are going well", and "owo yato sowo" which means "money is flowing". These phrases represent the prosperity that D'Banj is experiencing as a result of his music career. Additionally, the song contains references to movies and video games like 'M. Bison' from Street Fighter and late-night movie scenes that have sexual undertones.
Overall, "Suddenly" is a fun, upbeat song that celebrates D'Banj's success, fame, and newfound popularity with women.
Line by Line Meaning
Oya suddenly
All of this is happening abruptly and unexpectedly
Step in the club, they're loving me
As soon as I enter the club, everyone is showing me love and admiration
Standing so far, yet they're touching me
Despite being physically far away, people are still trying to grab my attention and touch me
I can feel their fingers robbing me
I feel like people are trying to take advantage of me and take away my success
She's calling me
A specific woman is trying to reach out and communicate with me
Late in the night she's fucking me
This woman is sexually involved with me during late hours of the night
All day long she's stalking me
She seems to always be watching and following me around throughout the day
And all these happen suddenly, so suddenly
All of these events are happening so abruptly and out of nowhere
She go say ori yato sori
When asked about her behavior, she responds with 'my head and my legs made me do it'
If you ask her why, she go say
Ori yato sori
When questioned about her actions, she gives the same answer - that she was not in full control
If you ask her, wetin she go say
Owo yato sowo
Gbogbo wa mo wipe
Koko yato si koko
If you ask her anything else, she will just repeat nonsensical phrases - 'Money comes and goes, we all know that, but I will always be me'
See the girls dem like me
Cos I dey give dem the kokomisen
Everyday dem go hala me
Make I give dem the kokomisen
Girls are attracted to me because I am giving them what they want, a good time and attention, so they are constantly asking for more
Dem go say koko master
You too sweet like cake icing
They′ve seen so many dudes
But none of them be like me
People are calling me the 'Koko Master' because I am unique and stand out among other men
Lets say I′m all dem see
Sharpen your eye I be jjc
They wan cook for me put si
But ko bo si, my head to strong for dem o
Quote me, na because of I fashy
When the girls dem come, I dey treat dem fine o
Quote me, that they never use to happen like this in my life
People are so focused on me because I am inexperienced and fresh (jjc) to their scene. Women are trying to show their affection but I am too strong-minded to fall for their tricks. I am confident in my appearance and attitude, so treating women well is not a common thing for me, but it is becoming a regular occurrence.
I wan talk about this young girl
One of the finest girls I′ve seen
When she step over the dance floor
Her dance step so enticing
She would say kokomaster
You too strong like m bison
When we act to the movies
Especially the late night scenes
I want to focus on this one woman who is the most beautiful I have ever seen. She is a great dancer and always compliments me for being strong, like the character M Bison. We spend time together watching movies, particularly enjoying the steamy scenes.
Well I remember the time
When just to get a girl to be mine
Dem go tell me say I no fine
Na poor, I poor I no commit crime
Dem go dey yap me no be small
Dem no even send me at all at all
Jus to bring their number make I call
Dem go still dey hala at at all at all
I remember when I struggled to get a girl's attention, and people would often say I was unattractive or poor. They would criticize and make fun of me, not even giving me the time of day. When they finally gave me their number, they would still bother me relentlessly.
Now dem know the kind of living
I'm living, I′m living
I say now dem know the kind of living
I'm living, I′m living
Now that I am successful and popular, people are starting to understand the lifestyle I am living and how it differs from my previous struggles.
Writer(s): Daniel Oyebanjo
Contributed by Madelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Timothy
on Mo Gbono Feli Feli
Can't get tired listening to this song