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.
Suddenly
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
Verse 2
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 [ja]
they've seen so many dudes
but none of them be like me
lets say im 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
im living, im living
i say now dem know the kind of living
im living, im living
chorus
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
Verse 3
i wan talk about this young girl
one of the finest girls ive seen
when she step over the dance floor
her dance step so enticing
she would say kokomaster
you too strong like []
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
and i 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
im living, im living
i say Now dem know the kind of living
im living, im living
chorus
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
D'Banj's song "Suddenly" talks about the sudden change of fortune that came to him after struggling in the past. In the first verse, he talks about how he is suddenly loved by people at the club, but also being robbed by their fingers. He also talks about a girl who is stalking him day and night, but when asked why, she wouldn't give a logical reason except to say "Ori yato sori" which means "My head is correct". He repeats this phrase throughout the song, emphasizing that he is doing well and succeeding in life.
In the second verse, D'Banj talks about how he has become popular with the ladies and they all want to be with him because he can satisfy them. He sings about how he used to be rejected by women, but now they all want to be with him because of his success. He ends the second verse by saying that "Now they know the kind of living I'm living", emphasizing that he is successful and living the good life.
The third verse talks about a girl who is a great dancer and how she admires D'Banj's success. He reminisces on the time when he was poor and nobody cared about him, but now that he is successful, everyone wants to be associated with him. He repeats the chorus one more time reiterating that his success came suddenly and without warning.
Overall, the song celebrates D'Banj's success after years of struggling and sends the message that success can come suddenly and change one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oya suddenly
Things are happening quickly and unexpectedly
step in the club, they're loving me
As soon as I arrive at the club, people show me love and respect.
standing so far, yet they're touching me
Even though I am far away from them, they still manage to touch me.
i can feel their fingers robbing me
People are trying to grab my attention and take advantage of my success and wealth.
she's calling me
A woman is trying to get my attention
late in the night she's fucking me
At night, a woman is having sex with me.
all day long she's stalking me
Throughout the day, a woman is constantly following and watching me.
she go say ori yato sori
She may say it's fate
if you ask her why, she go say
She would say that it is destiny
oro yato sowo
Money is essential
gbogbo wa mo wipe
We all know that
koko yato si koko
We all hustle to survive
See the girls dem like me
Girls all around me
cos i dey give dem the kokomisen
Because I give them what they want
everyday dem go hala me
Everyday they call out for me
make i give dem the kokomisen
So I give them what they want
dem go say koko master
They call me the master of what I am doing
you too sweet like [ja]
You are as sweet as Jamaican music
they've seen so many dudes
They've seen a lot of men
but none of them be like me
None of them can compare to me
lets say im all dem see
Let's say I'm everything they see
sharpen your eye i be jjc
Pay attention, I'm still inexperienced.
they wan cook for me put [] si
They want to prepare food for me to eat with egusi soup.
but ko bo si, my head to strong for dem o
But I don't accept, I am too smart for them.
quote me, na because of i fashy
Believe me, it is because I have gotten fashionable.
when the girls dem come, i dey treat dem fine o
When the girls come, I treat them well.
i wan talk about this young girl
I want to talk about this young woman
one of the finest girls ive seen
She is one of the most beautiful women I have seen.
when she step over the dance floor
When she dances on the floor
her dance step so enticing
Her dance moves are very attractive
Well I remember the time
I remembered the time
when just to get a girl to be mine
When I had to do something special to get a girl
dem go tell me say i no fine
People would say to me that I'm not attractive
and i poor, i poor i no commit crime
And I'm poor, I'm poor and I haven't committed any crime.
dem go dey yap me no be small
They would talk about me negatively
dem no even send me at all at all
They didn't care about me in any way.
Now dem know the kind of living
Now they know how I live my life.
im living, im living
I am living my life
Oya suddenly
Things are happening quickly and unexpectedly
step in the club, they're loving me
As soon as I arrive at the club, people show me love and respect.
standing so far, yet they're touching me
Even though I am far away from them, they still manage to touch me.
i can feel their fingers robbing me
People are trying to grab my attention and take advantage of my success and wealth.
she's calling me
A woman is trying to get my attention.
late in the night she's fucking me
At night, a woman is having sex with me.
all day long she's stalking me
Throughout the day, a woman is constantly following and watching me.
she go say ori yato sori
She may say it's fate.
if you ask her why, she go say
She would say that it is destiny.
oro yato sowo
Money is essential.
gbogbo wa mo wipe
We all know that
koko yato si koko
We all hustle to survive.
Contributed by Alaina A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Timothy
on Mo Gbono Feli Feli
Can't get tired listening to this song