D’banj Biography, True Life Story, Personal Records, How He Started And How He Rose To Fame

Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo popularly known by his stage name as D’banj is a famous Nigerian singer, songwriter, recording artiste, stage performer, model, actor, entrepreneur, investor and a philanthropist. He is popularly known worldwide as the “Koko Master”. He was born on 9th June, 1980 in Zaria, Kaduna State in the northern part of Nigeria. He is currently 43 years old. He is very wealthy, handsome, talented and creative.

He is originally from Ogun State in the western part of Nigeria. His father is a military officer who commanded an artillery regiment in Nigeria. D’banj was expected to follow his father’s military career and was enrolled to the Nigerian Military School in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. At the age of 11 years old, D’banj completed his primary school education and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate.

After completing his primary school education at the Nigerian Military School in Zaria, D’banj proceeded to Nigerian Navy Secondary School in Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria and obtained his West African Senior School Certificate. D’banj was introduced to the Nigerian music industry by his late brother, Femi Oyebanjo, who died in a plane crash at the age of 17 years old.

After completing his secondary school education, D’banj proceeded to Lagos State University to study Mechanical Engineering but decided to quit his studies due to consistent strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the university.

He decided to complete his studies as a mechanical engineer in London, United Kingdom. On his arrival to United Kingdom in 2001, D’banj met with Don Jazzy at a hotel in United Kingdom. Don Jazzy who was an upcoming record producer and D’banj became close friends and started hanging around together in clubs and studios in the United Kingdom.

In 2004, D’banj and Don Jazzy returned to Lagos, Nigeria and formed Mo’Hits Records Label and released their first single “Tongolo”. The video of “Tongolo” was sponsored by D’banj mother. D banj first endorsement deal was with an energy drink called “Power Fist”

In 2005, D’banj released his first debut studio album “No Long Thing”. The album was successful and sold millions of copies worldwide. In 2006, D’banj released his second debut studio album “Rundown Funk u Up”. The album accepted global recognition and sold millions of copies worldwide.

In July 2008, D’banj released his third debut studio album “The Entertainer” with hit singles like Gbono Feli Feli, Kimon and Entertainer. The songs from the album ranked high on MTV billboard charts.

D’banj has won several awards both in Nigeria and abroad. In 2007, he won the Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards. In 2009, he won the Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards. In 2010, he won the Best International Act at the Headies Awards.

In 2011, he won the Best-selling African Artiste at BET Awards. In 2012, D’banj won the World Music Awards and in 2014, he won the Evolution Awards. In 2015, he won the Best African Afro-pop Artist of the Year at MTV Africa Music Awards.

In June 2011, D’banj was signed to Kanye West records label “G.O.O.D Music Record Label” as an artiste. D’banj later break-out from Mo’Hit records and established his own records label. After breaking out from Mo’Hit records, the record label name was later changed to “Mavin Records” by Don Jazzy.

In December 2012, D’banj signed a multi-million endorsement deal with Sony. In May 2013, D’banj was named the Bank of Industry (BOI) ambassador. In November 2013, D’banj signed a multi-million naira endorsement deal with GLO Nigeria. D’banj is currently signed to Sony Music Records in the United States of America.

D’banj is currently the third richest and most influential artiste in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $25 million. In February 2015, D’banj was named the official African Ambassador for Ciroc Nigeria. In September 2015, D’banj was made the brand ambassador of SLOT. D’banj is currently the United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace. D’banj is the founder of Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development.