Dear Oyebanjo, Dapo Daniel AKA
DBanj,I am seated at a local restaurant
here at the Lagos State University,
Lagos, Nigeria, drinking a bottle of
Fayrouz and listening to the sound of
the generator, which is the only source
of electricity around here.I have
watched your latest music video.
I went through the rigour lasvdt night.
It is the video of the song entitled
“Don’t Tell Me Nonsense” and it was
awfully disgusting, the song, I mean.
Kaffy and the rest of the dancers didn’t
disappoint in the video.
This is bad, I know, using awful and
disgusting, in same sentence. But that
is what I feel about what I saw.
Brother, DBanj, a lot has changed
since you left your brother and hustle
partner, Ajereh, Michael Collins AKA
Don Jazzy. Truth. Your songs have
been nothing but trash.
I wonder if anyone has said anything
nice to you since you started making
songs outside Don Jazzy. If they have,
it must have been for that singular hit
song entitled ‘Oliver Twist.’ Kai! That
song swept through Nigeria and the
rest of the world. You would not
believe that the ordinary child on the
streets of Nsukka knows the lyrics of
that song and the dance steps too.
In Nigeria, there are plenty factors that
weigh us down. One is our inability to
manage our weaknesses. I see you
have been buying yourself expensive
jewelleries. The other day, I saw on a
blog that you wear a wristwatch worth
my entire family and maybe
inheritance. I commend your taste.
You are a lucky and hardworking
man.You deserve it, besides; ‘Oliver
Twist’ made marks. It took the
Nigerian music to a height that had
never been seen in recent times.
Its toping charts, downloads, Youtube
views and itunes purchases are
amongst the few things I can mention.
Dear, DBanj, Don Jazzy may not be an
ideal partner, I bet you, no one is an
ideal partner! Perfect couples quarrel
and make up. It is the joy of having
such union. I believe misunderstanding
is part of us, as humans. I will run to
the zoo the day I see a union that
agrees on almost everything.Back to
your music, I feel Don Jazzy was made
to make good music with you. He may
not only be your producer, but
whatever input, from advice, to
production, will go a long way.
Besides, he has been miserable too,
without you. I have seen his eyes in
music videos. There is one he did with
Tiwa Savage. Ah, Tiwa. She looked
dazzling, while Don Jazzy looked
wanting and dispirited. Tiwa may have
a perfect voice but Don Jazzy has not
been able to achieve what he did with
you. The other boys, K-Switch, Wande
Coal and the goody bag crooner,
D’Prince are unfortunate learners.
They must be stark illiterates to have
taken sides when you guys parted. I
understand their ignorance. But my
concern here is, if you wish to stay
relevant in the sight of Nigerians,
making good music, and not caressing
a stripper on stage on your birthday,
then you have to make amends with
Don Jazzy and understand that people
argue because they are beneficial to
themselves. Only dummies agree on
everything.
I think tribalism had a lot to play in
your split. It is a sad reality, if I am
right. Tribalism will eventually destroy
Nigeria. Our young people think they
belong to a superior tribe and so make
silly comments which sometimes bring
about misconception and then crisis. I
once had a boss, who is Igbo, who felt
my tribe’s men were lazy, just because
she came to my state and saw a job
and was privileged to be a high
ranking staff. I have had people who
think those from the north should be
gatekeepers and cobblers. Someone
called me a militant once in Abuja, at
the Sheraton, when he discovered I
was from the Niger-Delta. I forgave his
gross stupidity. I think we should drink
a cup of water when ignorant people
say rubbish about our personalities or
flaws and relate it to tribe.
You are a great young man, DBanj.
Few people have attained the height
you have. I am encouraged to pursue
what I am currently pursuing because I
know I will triumph. Your likes and that
of 2Face Idibia, despite your
weaknesses are heroes. And you must
recall that Kanye West met you
because he had heard good stuff from
you. When nothing good manifests, he
may be forced to give you a new job
description at Good Music, which may
be mopping of the floor of the studio.
This evil will not befall you. If you
believe it, type amen.
DBanj, pride is the worst enemy of any
man who wishes to last longer
anywhere. A drop of arrogance may
work, but pride is detrimental. You
were called the ‘entertainer’ because
you offered entertainment. Today,
Inyanya, Kcee, Flavour, Wizkid and
Davido are doing better. Imagine
Burna-Boy, chai, that boy has some
senses oh. His music, even when he is
talking nonsense makes you want to
sit and listen or dance to it, as the
case may be. The only person that is
yet to outshine you is my dearest
sister, Tontolet Dike. That girl needs
Jesus.
I have to go back to my drink. I paid
for it and it is almost missing me. I
enjoy your struggle or hustle, as you
may choose to call it. I wish to hear
something profound from you. While
awaiting that miracle that only you can
perform, I wish you the very best of life.