Press Release:
Twenty-four year old D’banj is a London-based Nigerian singer and songwriter, as well as a harmonica master and a charismatic stage performer with boundless energy. D’banj grew up listening to music by Fela Kuti (“My great mentor.”) and has performed at Femi Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, as well as the Shrine Synchro System’s regular London night at Cargo and the Black President (The Art & Legacy of Fela Kuti) concert series at the Barbican in London. Without ever turning into a mere carbon copy of his hero D’banj brings Afrobeat to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm, as well as a good dose of humour. He vows that all of his songs are based on true stories of his own life, often hilarious, but also with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young African trying to achieve his dreams – in his case is to be a successful artist/musician (D’banj: “D’banj is music, music is D’banj”). D’banj performs in Yoruba, English and, like his hero Fela Kuti, in Pidgin (broken) English, and has performed his songs as a special guest at various JJC & 419 Squad shows including this year’s WOMAD Rivermead.
Whilst being a charming, easy-going and humble young man, D’banj has just one ambition: to be the biggest living African artist in the world. With his first songs “Mobolowowon (Mo Ti Ja)”, an infectious Afrobeat tune with a juju edge, and “Ton-go-lo” hitting the airwaves and his debut album almost ready to go, this ambition could soon turn into reality.
D’banj was the highlight at the recent Nigerian Independence Intro Jam in London. Says DJ Abass: “The surprise performance of the night was by D'banj who thrilled the crowd with his fantastic 15 minute performance of his songs including crowd favourite Mobolowowon.?” You can see photos here:
http://www.djabass.com/big2004.htm
Watch out for footage from the on Nigerian TV.
D’banj is currently in Nigeria for his second promotional trip in the last half year. In the summer 2004 he visited Lagos and Abuja together with JJC & 419 Squad and Kween. This time he is there with his main producer Don Jazzy to promote his songs “Mobolowowon” and “Ton-go-lo”. D’banj has done a few shows in Nigeria including supporting Beenie Man in Lagos. He is also currently finishing a video shoot for “Ton-go-lo” in Nigeria which is to be serviced to TV before his return to London (expected mid-January).
To hear an extract of one of his tracks (“All Da Way”) go to
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/africaon...jc_aug04.shtml
(then go to Recommended CDs and scroll down)
http://www.dbanj.4t.com/ (temporary web site)
http://www.dbanj.com/ (official website coming soon)
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