D'Banj "KokoMaster" - The Rise & Rise of the Naija Megastar

Charismatic, charming, easy-going and humble, talented and ambitious…these are just few of the words that can be used to describe Nigeria's biggest artiste, D’banj aka the Kokomaster. Born Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo on June 9, 1980 he has come a long way in his quest, as he once stated, to be the biggest living African artist in the world.

Early Years

D'banj was born in Zaria, a city in the Northern state of Kaduna, Nigeria. His father was an army colonel and his mother a business woman, both from the southern Ogun State. He has a brother and three sisters. At 15, D'banj lost his elder brother, Femi, who was 17 when he was killed in a plane crash. D'banj was drilled early on to join the military cadre like his father, but he chose a different path: music.

Turning Points

Harmonica Player. At age 14, D'banj was introduced to the harmonica by his late older brother, Femi. This was to start a budding love for music which he carried all through his young days playing for the school band, and up till the time he went to further his music dreams in the UK in December 2002.

Chasing the Dream. D'banj meets JJC aka Skills in February 2003, and over the next several months he was going with them to their shows or just playing the harmonica on some tracks including "See Me See Wahala". Along the line, D'banj also met producer Don Jazzy in what was to be one of the most profitable and lasting friendships/business ventures in Naija history.

The Start of Stardom.The year 2005, when D'banj released his debut album "No Long Thing" provided the breakthrough in his career. Lead single "Tongolo" and "Mobolowowon" were massive hits, breaking him into the thriving Nigerian music scene - and introducing Koko Master D'banj to the world.

Musical Influences

D'banj has made no bones about his musical leanings and how they have been influenced by the great Afrobeat king Fela. D'banj style in music and fashion, his showmanship and charisma, have been compared on countless occasions to his mentor Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Through D'banj, Afrobeat has been brought to life and into the 21st century. D'banj performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English, showing that no matter what or where, he sticks to his African roots.

Good Music, Great Year

2011 so far has been a fantastic year for Naija's D'banj. He has broken cultural and musical boundaries with his international collaborations and record signing. Here's the way it's been for the hard working and talented star:

January 2011 D'banj features American rapper Snoop Dog in the remix of the hit song, "Mr.Endowed.

April 2011 In a 125-minute interview on BET titled "Welcome to America", D'banj introduces himself to the American Music industry/audience.

June 2011 D'banj and his music label Mo'Hits sign up with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music.

June 2011 D'banj alongside 2Face Idibia emerge joint winners of the BET 2011 Best International Act (Africa) in Los Angeles, California.

August 2011 The Koko Concert holds in London, headlined by D'banj and the Mo'hits AllStars, with surprise guest performance by American rapper/producer Kanye West.

Sept 2011 D'banj releases hit single "Oliver Twist" and causes a Youtube/internet sensation with his Dancing/Jonzing Competition offering prizes as high as $2,500.

Humble As Ever

D’Banj has always shown that success will never go to his head and he'll always remember where he came from. Only recently he tweeted on his official Twitter account @iamdbanj, “Just like yesterday myself and my brother did Tongolo. 7yrs later Mo’Hits signs with Good Music. Best birthday gift ever. God thank u"

Nollywood Top Ten Most Beautiful Actresses

Nigerian women are beautiful women - Fact.

When it comes to the Nigerian movie industry, it must then follow that beauty and talent surely go together. Loved and admired all over the world, here are our top ten most beautiful and talented Nigerian Actresses. Enjoy.

1. Genevieve Nnaji

Genevieve is the name on everyone's lips right now. Featured on CNN and Oprah, she has become the top of the cream in the Nollywood industry. The highest earning actress in Nigeria, she is reported to be pulling 2 million Naira per movie! These days she's either gracing the front covers of top magazines, or taking the female lead roles in the latest Nollywood blockbusters. Dark-skinned and articulate, she is petite and has kept on to a slim, attractive figure and looks really fit at her ripe age of 32.

2. Stephanie Okereke

Tall and chocolate-skinned, Stephanie Okereke has always stood out in the bevy of beautiful Naija actresses. A model and a one-time second runner up, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant 2002, she is the one to watch as she also produces and directs her movies.Currently she is the new brand ambassador for Kanekalon Hair Company, an endorsement worth millions of naira.


3. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

It is safe to say that Omotola is one of, if not the, most loved Nigerian actress. Married and a mother of four, she is never far from the limelight and her love for striking, daring apparel, and of course, her hot figure, has coined her the nickname "Omosexy", for which she is most known for. She is definitely one of the most high-profile Nigerian actresses and was recently present at the Grammy's 2011, making her the "first Nollywood actress to walk the Grammy's red carpet."

4.

Stella Damasus
Stella Damasus will always be a name to remember in Nollywood. Not just for her arresting roles, but also for her eye-catching smile and gorgeous looks. Also an accomplished singer, she is best loved for her unassuming style and natural beauty. Her latest movie presently making waves is a romcom drama titled "Two Brides and a Baby."


5. Dakore Egbuson

One of the most low-profile yet distinguished Nollywood actresses, Dakore stands out for her golden-toned dread locks which suit her honeyed skin and heart-shaped face. Well spoken and intelligent, she is one of the most respected actresses who has managed to stay out of the gossip columns which are the bane of the average Nigerian actress. A new mother of a baby girl in Sept 2011, she is married to billionaire heir Olumide Akande.


6. Kate Henshaw Nuttal

Kate Henshaw is another distinguished actress who turns heads where ever she goes. Confident, beautiful and dark-skinned, she has been on the top list of Nollywood actresses all through her career. She is most loved for her bewitching smile and elegant dress sense.

7. Rita Dominic
Exquisitely beautiful and stylish, Rita Dominic is respected for her acting skills as well as her gorgeous looks. Add that to an enviably glowing skin and her trademark luscious lips, and you have yourself one hot Nollywood bombshell. Renowned for being the most fashionable female in Nollywood, she has become a style icon with her bold looks and adventurous colors.


8. Ini Edo

Just a little over ten years since she first broke into the scene, Ini Edo has become one of the most recognizable faces and names in Nollywood. A dark-skinned beauty, she is known as one of the "most bankable" Nollywood actresses. Fifty movies later, she now has multi-millionaire endorsements with big industry names such as Globacom, the telecoms giant,and Nobel Hair Products. She is also a UN (Habitat Youth Envoy) Ambassador.


9. Tonto Dikeh

In recent times, Tonto has become one of the most controversial names in Nollywood. She is also one of the hottest! This light-skinned diva is known for her sexy roles in movies, and six years after her debut through the Next Movie Star Reality TV show, this showbiz babe still parades a very alluring complexion that attracts the male fans in their thousands. These days, she is hardly ever out of the gossip mags, which detracts nothing from the fact that she is still one of the most desirable women in Nollywood.

10. Lilian Bach


Lilian Bach strutted into the limelight first as a model, before breaking into the Nollywood scene. Half Polish and half Nigerian, she has proven very versatile and is a successful crossover actress. Her movie, Eletan (The Deceiver) which she produced has been making waves. She is loved for her alluring skin and big brown eyes.

MOBO 2011 - Jessie J Takes 4, Wizkid Wins Best African Act

No one could be more surprised than Jessie J to see her take four awards at the MOBO's this year.

Named Best UK Act, she also bagged Best Newcomer, Best Song for Do It Like A Dude, and Best Album. Adele collected Best R&B/Soul Act, which makes it collectively five awards from the two females, both white.

There were recent complaints from critics about Jessie J leading the nominations for the 16th Music of Black Origin Awards, and now she is the big winner at the Wednesday night ceremony in Glasgow Oct 5.

Hosted by US singer Jason Derulo and Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon, questions had been raised about the preponderance of white acts among the nominees, especially during the buildup to the event.

Kanya King, who established the Mobos in 1995, was asked in a recent editorial in the Voice newspaper whether the Mobos were "doing a disservice to black artists" by using white singers to promote the awards as seemed to be the case. Her reply was to point out that "most forms of pop" had their heritage in black music; adding "The awards reflect what is happening in the UK music scene right now. Now more than ever,urban music is prevalent."

There were mixed reactions on Twitter with one user called the awards a “joke”. However many fans of music and especially of Jessie J were happy with her Mobo success. Jessie J however stated that she never expected to win anything, and said, “I just want to say the biggest thank you to my fans because I watched this last year by myself in my living room and no one knew who I was and now I just won best album. That is epic. Thank you everyone." Wow, such a success story. Well done, Jessie.

The Mobos couldn’t have been very good for Wretch 32 though. The rapper from Tottenham, north London, was nominated in four categories but failed to win in any. The award for best hip hop/grime act was won by Tinie Tempah, who also happens to be of Nigerian origin.

It was a great night in any case for Naija as our very own Wizkid took home the Best African Act.

Highlights of the night would have to be the Boyz II Men medley as well as the performance by Amy Winehouse’s adopted niece Dionne Bromfield who sang a tribute song (Love Is a Losing Game) to the late singer.

MTN Project Fame: Brandy, Joe, D'banj Go Live

Sunday Oct 2 2011 was a night to remember when well-loved international stars like Brandy, Joe and our very own D'banj lit up the stage for the MTN Project Fame Opening Gala. It was a star-studded event filled with celebs from the Nollywood and Nigerian music industry, including Olu and Joke Jacobs, plus female rapper Sasha and producer Cobhams who attended with his lovely wife, looking ravishing in her short green leopard-print dress.

Now that season 4 of MTN Project Fame is under way, this was a chance for the 17 out of the 19 finalists to be introduced to the 5000-strong audience and indeed the world. Following a long period of auditions across Africa, 19 finalists were selected, two of whom were sent home on the night.

In the next several weeks, the Project Fame Academy will school finalists in the art and business of music, using both in-house coaches and external mentors who will prepare the contestants for a future in the industry. There will be some weeks of Boot Camp before the contestants will be moved into the academy proper for training.

Started in 2008, MTN Project Fame West Africa has produced some of Nigeria's rising stars. And at the sensational Opening Gala, past winners including Iyanya, Mike, Praise, Chidinma and Kesse performed alongside award-winning D'banj, Brandy and Joe. It was indeed a night of glamour and glitter, a befitting occasion for both rising stars and internationally renowned celebrities to electrify the teeming audience.

Shortly after arriving home in the US on Oct 4, Brandy tweeted from her handle @4everbrandy “Just landed in the states! Nigerian love will keep me smiling forever! Thank you to all the fans who supported the MTN event…Love you all!"

KiloWii Naija - Watcha Say!!

"Kilo wii" simply means, "Watcha say", and here we tell it like it is. Proudly representing Nigeria, her friends, and her strengths. Music, fashion, Nollywood movies and celeb news. Find numerous articles on food, current affairs, and culture. Your one-stop Naija "joint" is here. Welcome!