Darey was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria by Olapeju & Modupeola Art Alade. His path to eminence started in 1998, when during a performance at the Cowry restaurant, Bjays Hotel Victoria Island, a top member of Cool FM management saw potential in him and invited him to the radio station.
A determined teenager that he was, Darey began shuttling between Cool FM and the University of Lagos where he was studying Creative Arts. During his stay in Cool FM, he had the ample opportunity to acquire the basic knowledge of radio presentation, production and marketing. His big break finally came at the 2004 MNET project fame academy where he emerged second runner up. His debut album ‘From Me 2 U’ hit the Nigerian market in 2006, with songs like ‘Fuji’ and ‘Escalade’ enjoying massive airplay in the Nigerian and International media. In fact, ‘Original Naija’ one of the songs from his debut album was the theme song for the first ever Big Brother Nigeria reality show.
In 2007, Darey left Storm Records- the label he was signed to and joined Soul Muzik, his current label. Coming closely was the debut of two of his videos ‘With This Woman’ and ‘Carry Dey Go’ ft 2face on MTV base.
In 2008, he went on to prove to skeptics that he didn’t intend to be a flash in the pan when he hosted Project Fame West Africa. The following year he hosted The Future Awards & the SMVAs.
He has over the years shared the stage with the most prominent names in music worldwide including Beyonce, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Lionel Richie, Kci & Jojo, Joe, Shakira, John Legend, Femi Kuti, Akon, P Diddy, Lagbaja, Rihanna, Usher, Sean Paul, Diana Ross, Earth Wind & Fire, Lemar, Eve, Lucky Dube, Fat Joe, T-Pain, 50 Cent, Alicia Keys and has chatted with world leaders like Bill Clinton and Kofi Annan.
Darey’s new direction as evident on his second solo album ‘un.DAREY.ted’ has proven that he is aiming for the top. Armed with amazing songs/videos like ‘Not the Girl’, ‘More’ and ‘No Stars’ there is no doubt that he is en route.
This album scored him 2 nominations at the Hip Hop World Awards & 2 at the MTV Mamas in 2009 for the Recording of the Year, Best Male Vocal Performance and Best R&B, Listeners’ Choice categories respectively. He recently won the Soundcity Music Video Awards for Best R&B/Pop Video, Best R&B Nigerian Entertainment Award USA amongst others.
He was announced Most Gifted R&B and Most Gifted Male artist at the 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards held in South Africa. He also shocked many when 72 hours later; he was the highest winner at the 2009 Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) carting away another 4 awards for: Best RNB Video, Best Producer of Music Videos, Best Use of Costume and Video of the Year categories.
Now more than ever, his eyes are on the mainstream international market. Plans are in place for the digital and physical release of his 3rd album in Nigeria and internationally by 2010. Darey is married with a son.
Champion
Darey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm an eagle
I've fought the toughest battles
I'm a hero
I shine across the whole world
I'm a star
I climbed the highest mountain
I'm a champion
Hail to the king
Hail to the royal crown
Yes I'm the man
Celebrate the sound of a winner
Toast to the sound of a champion
There's a crown on my head oh
I'm a legend I'm a hero
E no matter where I go
I'm a champion
Rise up (Rise up)
There's a crown on my head oh
I'm a legend I'm a hero
E no matter where I go
I'm a champion
Rise up (Rise up)
For the champion
I shine across the whole world
I'm a star
I climbed the highest mountain
I'm a champion
Hail to the king
Hail to the royal crown
Yes I'm the man
Celebrate the sound of a winner
Toast to the sound of a champion
There's a crown on my head oh
I'm a legend I'm a hero
E no matter where I go
I'm a champion
Rise up (Rise up)
There's a crown on my head oh
I'm a legend I'm a hero
E no matter where I go
I'm a champion
Rise up (Rise up)
For the champion
I'm the voice
I'm a hero
I'm a lion
Down in the jungle
I'm a soldier
Fighting the battle
I'm the one the world is been waiting for
I'm the voice
I'm a hero
I'm a lion
Down in the jungle
I'm a soldier
Fighting the battle
I'm the one the world is been waiting for
There's a crown on my head oh
I'm a legend I'm a hero
E no matter where I go
I'm a champion
Rise up (Rise up)
There's a crown on my head oh
I'm a legend I'm a hero
E no matter where I go
I'm a champion
Rise up (Rise up)
For the champion
Rise up
For the champion
Rise up
For the champion
In the song "Champion" by Darey, the singer identifies themselves as an eagle, a hero, a star, and a champion throughout the lyrics. They have fought tough battles and climbed to the highest mountain, making them a champion. They celebrate their status by acknowledging themselves as a king with a royal crown and a winner with a sound worth toasting. They speak of being crowned as a legend and rising up as a champion no matter where they go.
The song encourages listeners to see themselves as champions as well. The singer sings about being the voice that the world has been waiting for and calls on others to rise up as champions. The choice of using the animal kingdom, soldiers, and kings as metaphors for strength and power, adds to the song's uplifting nature. The lyrics are meant to inspire and motivate listeners to believe in themselves and their ability to overcome challenges.
Overall, the song is a powerful reminder of how we can manifest our dreams by seeing ourselves as champions, despite whatever difficulties we may face in our journey towards success.
Line by Line Meaning
I spread my wings and fly
I'm an eagle
I am achieving great heights and soaring above my obstacles just like an eagle.
I've fought the toughest battles
I'm a hero
I have faced and conquered the most challenging battles and emerged as a hero.
I shine across the whole world
I'm a star
My accomplishments have made me a well-known personality across the entire world, just like a shining star.
I climbed the highest mountain
I'm a champion
I have conquered the most difficult obstacles and have come out victorious, just like a champion who climbed the highest mountain.
Hail to the king
Hail to the royal crown
Yes I'm the man
Celebrate the sound of a winner
Toast to the sound of a champion
My achievements and victories have made me a king and a champion and I deserve to be celebrated and toasted everywhere I go.
There's a crown on my head oh
I'm a legend I'm a hero
E no matter where I go
I'm a champion
Rise up (Rise up)
My success and accomplishments have made me a legend, a hero and a champion wherever I go, and I will always rise up to the occasion.
I'm the voice
I'm a hero
I'm a lion
Down in the jungle
I'm a soldier
Fighting the battle
I'm the one the world is been waiting for
I am the voice, the hero, and the brave soldier fighting all the battles and challenges in the world, just like a lion in the jungle. The world has been waiting for me to emerge as a winner.
Rise up
For the champion
Let's rise up to celebrate and honor the champion that I am.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLEMENT ODOI MARFO, DION JORDAN PAYNE, STACEY LEE MANSELL, KOJO VIHRAM, DANIEL JOHN ROBERT TURNBULL, JONATHAN EDWARD DOUCH, RICHARD ROBERT JOHN BYRON SINCLAIR, MATTHEW E. MARSTON, ROBERT BRIEN WELLS, IAIN FARQUHARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind