Born Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo at Zaria in Kaduna State, on the 9th of June 1980, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, and television personality, mostly known by his stage names: D’banj, Mr. Endowed or Bangalee.
He attended the Nigerian Military School Zaria and will later rise to stardom after collaborating with Don Jazzy (Don Baba J) and releasing some of their early hits like “Tongolo”, and “Why me” in the early 2000’s under Mo-Hits Records.
The duo were very successful until they parted ways in the mid 2010’s. According to reliable sources, they split because Don Jazzy was having difficulties controlling D’Banj who was also a partner in the business.
Conflicts often arose in the Koko mansion because of the seeming financial gap between D’Banj and other artistes on the label.
It was said that often, Don Jazzy faced an uphill task convincing other Mo’Hit records sign-on like Wande Coal, Dr. Sid and The Prince that he (Don Jazzy) was as committed to their career as he was to D’Banj’s.
The recording of a promotion song for President Goodluck Jonathan by D’Banj, was the icing on the cake as Nigerians descended on the Mo’Hit crew accusing them of selling out.
Don Jazzy desperate to protect his record company, quickly dissociated it from Dbanj.
Don Jazzy moved out of the koko mansion, an abode they once shared in Lekki Phase 1 and was squatting with Dr Sid at 1004, the same estate that Wande Coal lived in on Victoria Island.
Don Jazzy later unveiled his own record label ‘Mavin Records’ to international recognition and massive success. Dbanj signed with Kanye West’s Goodmusic but not much has been heard from him since.
In June 2016 D’banj married Lineo Didi Kilgrow. He announced the birth of their son, Daniel Oyebanjo III, in May 2017, the child however drowned in June 2018.
Later in June 2020, Seyitan Babatayo accused Dbanj of raping her in 2018, saying she wanted to call him out on his hypocrisy.
D’banj denied the accusations, calling them: “false allegations and lies from the pit of hell”.
Dbanj’s life hasn’t been free of challenges, controversies and set backs but he still remains one of the pioneers of modern music in Nigeria.
He delivered hit after hit, with songs like:
☞︎ Fall in Love
☞︎ Mo Gbono Feli Feli
☞︎ Why me
☞︎ Oliver Twist
☞︎ Tongolo
☞︎ Suddenly
☞︎ Feeling the Nigga
☞︎ No Long Thing
☞︎ Mr Endowed
☞︎ Olorun Maje
☞︎ Emergency
We hope D’banj will bounce back, or for a Mo-Hits reunion.