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.
Top Of The World
D'Banj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You only have one life to live
If you′re lucky then you might get two
I was down so down to the heat
Wasn't a miracle that got me through
I've seen the world - paid my dues, ah
Got plenty of cars but nothing to lose, tonight
In front of the crowd,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Smoke in the air, look at me now,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Oh oh baby, oh oh baby
I′m on top of the world
In front of the crowd,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Hmmn, looking back now, there's no regrets
Moving forward, that′s all is left
Wouldn't change a thing even if I could
I′m stronger now, which was for the...
I've seen the world - paid my dues, ah
Got plenty of cars but nothing to lose, tonight
I′m on top of the world
In front of the crowd,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Smoke in the air, look at me now,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Oh oh baby, oh oh baby
I'm on top of the world
In front of the crowd,
Eh oh, eh oh
Standing up, standing up
Standing up, oh Africa!
Standing up, Zambia, Tunisia
Togo, Niger, Morocco
Mali, Ghana, Congo
Burkina Faso, Algeria, Angola
South Africa, Ivory Coast
Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Nigeria
I'm on top of the world
In front of the crowd,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Smoke in the air, look at me now,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Oh oh baby, oh oh baby
I′m on top of the world
In front of the crowd,
Eh oh, eh oh
I′m on top of the world
In front of the crowd,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Smoke in the air, look at me now,
Eh oh, eh oh oh
Oh oh baby, oh oh baby
I'm on top of the world
In front of the crowd,
Eh oh, eh oh
D'Banj's song "Top of the World" is an anthem about being on top of the world and feeling invincible. In the first verse, D'Banj reflects on his struggles and how he overcame them. He acknowledges that life can be tough and you only have one to live, so it's important to make the most of it. D'Banj mentions that he's seen the world and paid his dues, but despite having plenty of cars, he has nothing to lose. Tonight, he feels like he's on top of the world, in front of the crowd, with smoke in the air.
The chorus continues the theme of being on top of the world. D'Banj repeats that he's in front of the crowd, with smoke in the air, and feels like he's on top of the world. He exclaims "oh oh baby" in excitement and exuberance, as if he's basking in the feeling of invincibility that comes with being at the top.
In the second verse, D'Banj looks back on his past with no regrets and states that he wouldn't change anything, even if he could. He's stronger now, and whatever he went through in the past has made him who he is today. He again mentions that he's paid his dues and has nothing to lose.
The bridge of the song is a callout to various countries in Africa, where D'Banj is from. He stands up for them and names them one by one, emphasizing his pride in his heritage.
Overall, "Top of the World" is an uplifting and inspirational song about overcoming struggles and feeling invincible. D'Banj encourages his listeners to make the most of their lives and celebrate their successes, no matter how small.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm D'Banj, hmmn
Introducing himself as D'Banj
You only have one life to live
Life is precious and finite
If you're lucky then you might get two
Living a fulfilling life is rare
I was down so down to the heat
He was struggling but persevered
Wasn't a miracle that got me through
Success was not handed to him, he worked for it
I've seen the world - paid my dues, ah
He's experienced life and worked hard for his achievements
Got plenty of cars but nothing to lose, tonight
He's successful but humble
I'm on top of the world
He's at the peak of his success
In front of the crowd, Eh oh, eh oh oh
Performing to an audience and feeling triumphant
Smoke in the air, look at me now, Eh oh, eh oh oh
Celebrating his success
Oh oh baby, oh oh baby
Expressing happiness and joy
Looking back now, there's no regrets
He's content with his life choices
Moving forward, that's all is left
He's focused on the future
Wouldn't change a thing even if I could
He's at peace with his past
I'm stronger now, which was for the...
He's become stronger through his experiences
Standing up, standing up
Encouraging unity and pride
Standing up, oh Africa!
Expressing pride in Africa
Standing up, Zambia, Tunisia
Listing African countries
Togo, Niger, Morocco
Continuing to list African countries
Mali, Ghana, Congo
Continuing to list African countries
Burkina Faso, Algeria, Angola
Continuing to list African countries
South Africa, Ivory Coast
Continuing to list African countries
Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Nigeria
Continuing to list African countries
I'm on top of the world
Reiterating his success
Smoke in the air, look at me now, Eh oh, eh oh oh
Celebrating his success once again
Oh oh baby, oh oh baby
Expressing happiness and joy
In front of the crowd, Eh oh, eh oh
Performing to an audience
Writer(s): Inconnu Compositeur Auteur, Jason Jamaine Lopez
Contributed by Gabriel O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@folorunshovictor8166
2023 and still a jam,they sang it on Nigeria idol yesterday,so I came here
@celebritygistsample396
Wow ❤
It's indeed a masterpiece
@enduranceakakpo9464
It's 2023 and I here still watching.
Song was performed by contestants of Nigerian Idol 2023
@fiveskipasphumzile2668
17 April 2021 n still jamming to this in SA...I will never forget his performance in the Afcon closing ceremony in SA 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦😍💃💃💃💃
@Reggywho
2022
@tartvtheafricanrepublic7825
Yes I agree, It Was Brilliant
@KevinKunta
Nostalgia
@paulinusnwagu6811
Sir where you there?
@gbedetemitope
Randomly thought of this song and came back to watch this. I love this song so much. Thanks DBanj and AFCON for this opportunity to create this beautiful sound.
4:00 PM (GMT+1)
@dorismario781
Wow I'm in Top of the world in front of the crowd I really believe on the genre is to good to us in love and kindness of life blessings to us an he goodness upon us all in the name of our Lord our God Amen ♥♥♥