…D’banj is not a great Singer, but he is the most
successful. Anybody that is complaining now is actually
late ‘cuz if he were as bad as they say, he wouldn’t
become as big as he is. …we know we cannot Rap. We
know we cannot sing; but we know we can entertain you
in our own way.”
– Don Jazzy (Punch Newspaper, 8th October, 2011)
“Every Artiste’s work, unless he be a hermit, creating
solely for his own satisfaction and with no need of sales,
is to some extent socially conditioned; he depends upon
the approval of his patrons.”
– Unknown
Music is a tool for change. Music is everything. Music is a
panacea, and above all can buffer the pressures from the
many bustling of our daily pursuits. To ignore the power
of music would be akin to unmasking an ancestral spirit.
Since the D’banj-Jazzy imbroglio, I have tried hard to
detach myself from subjective stands. I have watched
and observed both parties keenly and I think it’s safe to
write on my analyses thus far. The summary of my
discourse is that D’banj is waning.
Now, let’s get down to brass tacks, for it appears the
Koko master isn’t (or has found it impossible) recording
anymore great songs, without his erstwhile team mate-
Don Jazzy, and anyone who saw their matchless
combination before now would be as worried as I am.
Banga Lee isn’t recording anymore major pop/street
anthems, as he used to, yet he continues to feed on his
past glory; by still managing to sell out shows and cover
magazines. Can we safely say then, that his musical
career is loitering on the brink of a collapse? As much as
I am amongst the pro Mo’hits vanguards, having faulted
the D’banj-Jazzy break up forcefully and objectively,
especially in respect to their dwindled musical
representationssubsequently, let me make two things
clear: First, Don Jazzy has quite succeeded in delivering
major, attention-grabbing materials; even without
D’banj, and I can count from top of my head 7-8 major
hits he has scored, to substantiate.
Secondly, my criticisms are borne out of my concerns for
good music and formidable entertainment empires –
empires that can quake the nation and go on to stun the
world. Nothing more. I have nothing whatsoever against
D’banj personally, but the fact that ‘Oliver Twist’ is still
his biggest single since he parted ways with Jazzy is
thought-provoking. How can an old Jazzy-produced
single be bigger than the entire D’banj post Mo’hits
album? I am worried. You should be. It should disturb
real D’banj fans and music pundits in general. He is not
hoisting his flag (on same musical high as before), he
stays playing into the hands of Don Jazzy faithfuls, who
believe strongly that Jazzy is the muse behind his music.
In the light of this, I implore D’banj to please wake up
and clear rife doubts. There is no better time than the
present, considering his track record, and I suppose; his
understanding of the yearnings of teeming fans,
supporters and critics.
D’banj is NOT Denrele, Uti Nwachukwu or Saka. Stage
performances are only a sequel to good songs.
Performances should feed off and complement wonderful
studio projects. He is a self-acclaimed entertainer, and I
have not a drop of doubt about that; but what is his
entire ‘acting’ and ‘theatrics’ and shirt-pulling-
bragadaccio without some heavy club/pop anthems for
the people to nod to? If, like an Obi Asika for instance, I
don’t fancy being outdoors much, does it imply I’d never
get to connect with a talent in D’banj’s mould, because I
would have to wait for him to make up; on stage, for
lapses on his tape? This illustration is an aside, by the
way.
I don’t know the terms of the G.O.O.D Music deal with
D’banj but I know that it will never serve to position his
career fully, if he doesn’t deliver to his patrons; his
home-based patrons. The fans and listeners at home are
his major patrons. International recognition and
acceptability only flow from hits -multiple hits- that must
have been endorsed by the industry pundits, fans and
critics at home; at least to a large extent if not in its
entirety.
Another option before us is hoping D’banj switches
styles and goes completely international in his pattern of
music. But there are pitfalls. He can’t switch styles today
and get around with the American genres tomorrow.
D’banj is not the best singer or rapper or dancer. He
would hardly scratch any surface there, with or without
G.O.O.D Music. Even a Banky W, Bez, Dare or an MI
Abaga, with their much seemingly up-to-foreign-
standards deliveries wouldn’t dare go that route; that
would be the musical equivalence of taking coals to
Newcastle.

Godwon won Eminem’s freestyle battle, he hasn’t
achieved anything in the American Industry afterwards.
Matter of fact, he is struggling to find balance in our
industry, and until his recent annihilation of Sauce Kid,
was going on with a just-about-average name in Nigeria.
Well, except in Hip-hop circles, which is a relatively small
chunk of our ‘listenership’ base. Craig David -in his
heyday- tried it, he left Southampton and went ahead to
test new waters in America. He is still licking his wounds.
The home turf is any artiste’s bedrock, he mustn’t screw
with it. It is his best bet and must be served right. If he
loses at home, he will never win away, this is not
Premiership or Champions League. See, prolific and
seasoned entertainment writer, Jon Caramanica,
struggled to write a piece on ‘D Kings Men’. He wrote a
paltry work on NY Times, like he was lost for words or he
was paying for each alphabet with his blood. I was tired.
D’banj is our own, they don’t know him like we do. They
never will.
Amidst all these though, Banga Lee has a strongpoint,
and we must admit. He commands respect and
captivates a titanic audience. He is still killing it, I must
also add. Only thing is he can only go so far if he doesn’t
begin to coal the fire. Whilst I’m not saying Don Jazzy is
the beginning and the end of his career, I’m saying he is
giving critics plenty reasons to posit thus.
‘Oyato’ -obviously hastily done, in a bid to announce
that he was still in charge- was a terribly weak song. The
ridicule in its wake was just as sick. I got it online the
day it was released, I had been chilling for a post Mo’hits
material from the Koko master. I played it a couple of
times on that cold evening. I was outdoors, my
headphones on. At some point, I flung my head back
and laughed aloud. It was a bitter laugh, the type that
could make a passer-by stop and stare. My expectations
were dashed.
Some one year plus after, nothing has changed, save for
‘Top of The World’, and perhaps ‘Cash Flow’ and
‘Bachelor’. The Koko master stays releasing music that
leaves much to be desired. And gradually, his arsenal is
depleting, his monster hits thinning out, his fire
smothering and our musical cravings ebbing. My outlook
of his career, at present, is positively dispirited.
On ‘Scape Goat’ Remix, his GOOD Music benefactor,
Kanye West, spat some of his most insipid lines ever. I
was nearly teary-eyed upon hearing those. I wonder if
that says anything about what value Mr. West places on
his huge Nigerian signing. I truly wonder. Fally Ipupa
lends further credence to my suspicions of D’banj’s
nosedive on the ‘D Kings Men’ Project. ‘Nous Les
Meilleurs (We The Best)’ was one helluva fiasco, it reeked
of nothing but rambling sounds. I am also thinking
something is wrong on the parts of his A&R team,
otherwise that song had no business on the album.
I might have been opinionated all article long. Let me
share with you what Ayomide Tayo, a music critic, wrote
in his review of ‘D Kings Men’: “…Fans wouldn’t give
D’banj’s new songs half a chance because they lack Don
Baba Jay’s magic touch. D’banj is aware of this and
fights back on several tracks on DKM.”
My question now is, have these fight backs delivered the
goods? Are there major hits as a result of the fight
backs?
Ayomide writes further: “…On DKM there are no huge
pop anthems like the ones crafted by Don Jazzy in the
Mo’hits period. What we have on this compilation are
strong pop songs hinged on D’banj’s personality and
amazing instrumentals.”
At this point, I’d implore us all to minutely dissect
Ayomide Tayo’s postulations vis-a-vis my
aforementioned analyses, then figure if the Koko Master
is still breaking grounds (musically). As we digest these
words in silence, can we also ask that the real Koko
master stands up? By ‘stand up’ I mean rise up and take
the lead, as it was.
I understand and respect that D’banj has great fortunes
(possibly than he knows what to do with them). It is
musically that he is (almost becoming) destitute, and
any true supporter would be pained. This is what
necessitates my writing. I want some carefully done and
structured songs, I need him to orchestrate hits upon
hits like we used to have, monster hits like Wizkid,
Olamide and Ice Prince have done in the last 10-12
months. I want no more of his forceful, hasty attempts at
foisting his music upon us.

In any case, I don’t expect Banga Lee to read this and
bite his thumb nail (I know that he does bite his nails
and stuff) and lose sleep, with his mind hovering over
problems of how to conduct his music so as to establish
proof of his genius (with or without Jazzy).
I also do not intend to excoriate his brand and person, in
the least. Candidly.
But I believe that this piece will have served its end,
should it succeed in the minimal task of rousing the Koko
master from his pseudo-Americandream, into a reality
where he takes on the mantle, as one of Nigeria’s
biggest music exports of the 21st century, and churn out
works that should have oppositions bowing in awe.
I challenge D’banj to blaze the trail once more, and have
me re-editing my already typed works. I need him to
clear my doubts so I can probably beg a few of my
closest, kindest friends; to help me into a state of
temporary oblivion, by shutting my door, whilst I sedate
myself with a measured doze of Gin and Juice, as I fade
slowly with R. Kelly’s ‘Turn Back The Hands of Time’
playing quietly in my background. I am waiting. I know a
million people who also are.
Follow us on Twitter @iamme_jesse @9jamusiccritic
@mrpounds93
@downtownentco

In your words: "How can an old Jazzy-produced
single be bigger than the entire D’banj post Mo’hits
album? I am worried."

Though you raised some other good points but I want to ask you,
Which 2face song is bigger than "african queen"? Can we say 2face has lost it, since he left kennis music? That's why d'banj's appologist may be right tagging critics like you hater.

airmark: In your words: "How can an old Jazzy-produced
single be bigger than the entire D’banj post Mo’hits
album? I am worried."

Though you raised some other good points but I want to ask you,
Which 2face song is bigger than "african queen"? Can we say 2face has lost it, since he left kennis music? That's why d'banj's appologist may be right tagging critics like you hater.

I don't know why I like u dude, u are one of the most matured guys I've seen on nairaland. How can someone say d'banj is fading? He even mentioned top of the world, bachelor, and cash flow. Yet he say d'banj is fading. D problem with Africans is they fear to try. D'banj is setting trends and pace, if he succeeds, he would be celebrated. If he fails, he will know that at least he tried. Just in case u don't know, d'banj is close to winning a Grammy. All he need do is bring in kayne West and friends on a track with d'banj on the chorus and that will be achieved, so before u criticize and state calling him a failure watch it cos u don't know what he's up to next. You said d track he featured fally ipupa is not worth it, wait until a video is made for that.

I was thinking you had a sound argument until I saw

"Some one year plus after, nothing has changed, save for
‘Top of The World’, and perhaps ‘Cash Flow’ and
‘Bachelor’."

You just mentioned 3 hits bro. Three.

Lemme give you a little finger exercise since u like counting fingers. Count with your fingers how many true hits (music that has lasted more than 2 months on the charts) Don-Jazzy has produced since he and D-banj parted ways. I bet that simple exercise can prove very difficult to do.

Truth is, they parted ways, they moved on. Yeah, they made good music together, but that time is past. Now, every man to his own thing.

By the way, I think Don-jazzy has more to gain if they should ever decide to come back together.

oluamid: I was thinking you had a sound argument until I saw

"Some one year plus after, nothing has changed, save for
‘Top of The World’, and perhaps ‘Cash Flow’ and
‘Bachelor’."

You just mentioned 3 hits bro. Three.

Lemme give you a little finger exercise since u like counting fingers. Count with your fingers how many true hits (music that has lasted more than 2 months on the charts) Don-Jazzy has produced since he and D-banj parted ways. I bet that simple exercise can prove very difficult to do.

Truth is, they parted ways, they moved on. Yeah, they made good music together, but that time is past. Now, every man to his own thing.

By the way, I think Don-jazzy has more to gain if they should ever decide to come back together.

Another matured dude!!!

I laugh at the op ignorance or he want some cheap fame thereby writing about Dbanj to draw traffic. What d op failed to realised is that Dbanj's achievements post Mo'hits is more than all his achievements with Mo'hits. Whether Dbanj paid for it or not op kindly tell me anyother Nigerian artists whose album is review on New York times. All u haters are criticising Don't tell me nonsense yet the video got like 5 nominations in NMVA.
Dont tell me nonsense
Finally
Top of the world
Blame it on the money are more than average only a enemy of progress 'll rubbish those songs besides not all songs 'll be like Oliver twist.

alaoeri: I laugh at the op ignorance or he want some cheap fame thereby writing about Dbanj to draw traffic. What d op failed to realised is that Dbanj's achievements post Mo'hits is more than all his achievements with Mo'hits. Whether Dbanj paid for it or not op kindly tell me anyother Nigerian artists whose album is review on US times. All u haters are criticising Don't tell me nonsense yet the video got like 5 nominations in NMVA.
Dont tell me nonsense
Finally
Top of the world
Blame it on the money are more than average only a enemy of progress 'll rubbish those songs besides not all songs 'll be like Oliver twist.

On point

D'BANJ :You are getting tired, i'm just getting started

"'banj ain't fading, he's not just THE D'BANJ i know anymore, he needs to bring back that his flute. . . It makes him unique

Another matured guy




#TeamGOM

I think The Prince's "Take Banana" is a monster hit and so was "Goody Bag". Wande Coal's "Rotate" and "The kick" are monster hits. Wizkid's "Wiz Party" is a monster hit as well. Dr Sid's "Talented" and "Baby Tornado" are monster hits as well.

However music has changed and a younger generation is taking over from the ageing artistes that are in their 30s. So I personally don't expect D'banj to sell like Flavor, Olamide, Phyno, Davido, Ice Prince or Wizkid.

Abagworo: I think The Prince's "Take Banana" is a monster hit and so was "Goody Bag". Wande Coal's "Rotate" and "The kick" are monster hits. Wizkid's "Wiz Party" is a monster hit as well. Dr Sid's "Talented" and "Baby Tornado" are monster hits as well.

However music has changed and a younger generation is taking over from the ageing artistes that are in their 30s. So I personally don't expect D'banj to sell like Flavor, Olamide, Phyno, Davido, Ice Prince or Wizkid.

Guy u no get yarn. Music no be football! D'banj's album is selling more than all these dudes u mentioned, 2face, p-square, timaya, duncan mighty are they not in their 30's? This guys earn more money per show than the artistes u mentioned apart from wizzy, whose payment equals timaya, duncan's.
@op. D'banj is no way to fading, i'm no d'banj fan but i'll say what i knw, assuming d'banj is still with mo'hits, there u'll say he might be fading coz they hav one problem, featuring only each other. D'banj just changed his style of music, he's no more the usual 'koko master''file''no long thing''flute' d'banj we once knew. Ppl that'll understand that d'banj is no close to fading are the ppl that listens to both yanks n naija musics, u'll know he's trying to adjust, G.O.O.D isn't a naija label, so he's trying to impress his fans there n here. And how do u define fading? Cos i hear his songs everywhere.

Abagworo: I think The Prince's "Take Banana" is a monster hit and so was "Goody Bag". Wande Coal's "Rotate" and "The kick" are monster hits. Wizkid's "Wiz Party" is a monster hit as well. Dr Sid's "Talented" and "Baby Tornado" are monster hits as well.

However music has changed and a younger generation is taking over from the ageing artistes that are in their 30s. So I personally don't expect D'banj to sell like Flavor, Olamide, Phyno, Davido, Ice Prince or Wizkid.

take

Dbanj is not fading, just that he lost some of his fans to Don jazzy. and Don jazzy also lost some of his fans to Dbanj (2 heads is better than 1).
But Indifferent fans like me enjoy every good song from both parties. E.g top of the world, bachelor, Eminado, the kick e.t.c

@op am so sure u dnt no anytin abt music or lemme say fact abt dbanj, u even said he doesn't have a hit bt I can tell u on dat dkm album u hv more than 7 standard hit I mean hit that can compete internationally, u hv top of d world, finally, dnt tell me nonsense, silver n gold to mention bt few, wat u shld understand is wen someone is fading away, u won't hear abt him again, dis guy command n headline d biggest show in d country n outside, he isfully book for d year, he headline biggest show aswelll n for ur mind his fading away, lemme tell u whom God has blesss will remain blesss, u need to attend any show dbanj is performin to see d love ppl hv for him, d fact remain naija are nt use to change n he has told us all dat he doesn't only appeal to naija alone he has fan all over, he has d biggest song n most view view video ever in naija pls let's gv it to him, we hv some america dat has nt relase a song for years n dey still command, we still invite demfor big show not to talk of dbanj. To me he is d king. He is so smart he signed jsleeky n plant him in yankee to understudy some great musician over dere, so dey can. Make wat appeal to them over dere, do u feel all dos donjazzy hit dat we are jumpin up n down for cud move a yankeee man? Pls have a rethink.

Abagworo: I think The Prince's "Take Banana" is a monster hit and so was "Goody Bag". Wande Coal's "Rotate" and "The kick" are monster hits. Wizkid's "Wiz Party" is a monster hit as well. Dr Sid's "Talented" and "Baby Tornado" are monster hits as well.

However music has changed and a younger generation is taking over from the ageing artistes that are in their 30s. So I personally don't expect D'banj to sell like Flavor, Olamide, Phyno, Davido, Ice Prince or Wizkid.

You're correct. Even if d'banj and Don jazzy were still together they would still diminish, it's natural. Everything in life follows the normal distribution curve.

So, time the revealer of all things has revealed what in this regard?