Popular singer D’banj celebrates his 40th birthday today, and a former associate of his revealed a 2005 incident that made the singer chose to make music in Nigeria.
D’banj who was formerly based in London returned to Nigeria for a show that paid him N150.
The show made him realize how popular he was, and so he decided to remain in the country and he blew up in the process.
Mallam Yankee wrote: “July 15th, 2005 was a remarkable day as Oladapo Daniels Oyebanjo, aka, @iambangalee flew in a Virgin Atlantic airline from London to Lagos and in turns flew Albarika Airline from Lagos to Abuja for ‘Abuja Alive Concert’ organized by Yankee Entertainment at the Women Centre Abuja.
He never knew how popular he was, neither did he know that his single ‘Tongolo’ was a National Anthem in the country. I paid him 150k for the show. He realized this after the show and didn’t contemplate the decision to stay back in the country to further pursue his soaring musical career.
I could only afford international flight for Dbanj without Don Jazzy, but he came from Lagos to Abuja with Durella
Like a Nollywood flick, he and Don Jazzy took over the industry with Mohit Records that eventually gave birth to so many artists. It was a renaissance in the Nigerian music industry.
Today, I remain undoubtedly proud of my friend and cousin from Shagamu in Ogun State @iambangalee cause it remains difficult to beat the record he has set in the industry.
Happy 40th Birthday in less than 1day to my friend, my brother.
God Bless Bangalee…”
