Posts Tagged ‘owen gee’

Repping DaGrin!

This is one artist that a lot of people have asked me to REP! His REP and highly anticipated album: C.E.O, is finally here!! His songs and flow are so on-point and catchy, and let’s not even talk about his lyrics and rhymes. Too gbaski! Don’t believe me? Check out his freestyle on Jimmy’s Jump Off. My favorite song of his is “Kondo” and some lines are below!!

Mummy mi o si ni le

Daddy mi o si ni le

Egbon mi o si ni le

Emi ni kan mo wa nile

Wa gba kondo, kondo, kondo

Wa wo commando, mando, mando

Rep Naija Artists had the pleasure of chatting with DaGrin and we present below some information he shared with us!

Born Dapo Olaonipekun, DaGrin is no newcomer to the game. Referred by many as the 50 cent of Yoruba music, he’s one of the hottest indigenous Yoruba rappers to emerge from Nigeria and you’ll see why once you listen to his tracks below! DaGrin, C.E.O of Misofunyin entertainment has 6 years of professional experience as a rapper though he wasn’t recognized until he emerged with collaborations with several artists due to lack of adequate promotion of his first album. His first album titled “Still on the matter” was released in 2006 under Leo Entertainment. His collaboration list includes but not limited to “Efi mile” with YQ, “Idi Nla” with Lala, “Call the Police” with TuStep, “Iyalaya won” with Sheyman and J. Holiday, “Hola Hola” with T-Frizzle, “Owo ati Swagger Remix” with Cartiair, Eva and Terry Tha Rapman, “2 much money” with Fresh, and “Jump” with Azadus and Lord of Ajasa.

His road to stardom was definitely not a smooth ride. Nonetheless, DaGrin comes forth with his sophomore album titled C.E.O, Chief Executive Omoita, released under his own record label.

Like most artists, DaGrin realized his passion for music while singing in the children’s choir in his younger days before he went out into the streets and adapted a different twist to merge Yoruba language and music. With music influences like Alhaji Agba Kollington, King Sunny Ade and the late legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, we asked why he chose Yoruba as the language of choice rather than English or Pidgin. He explained that Yoruba which he regards as his first language followed by English, is the best way to reach people of his ethnic background. When asked about the reason and origin of his stage name: DaGrin, he explained the reason behind the name: before his verses, he always has a big grin/smile before flowing and mocks the beats before dropping his lines; hence DaGrin.

C.E.O, the name of his album which hits the streets today: 8/25/09, was named as such because he is always on the streets and the reasoning that if you don’t sleep at home, you are an omoita. Additionally, he’s the boss of Misofunyin Entertainment which makes him the C.E.O. Hence, these two facts when merged are roots of his album name. As imagined, you can expect collaborations with other artists on his new album! He worked with established and underground artists to help expose their talents and showcase what they had to offer. Some artists featured on his album includes but not limited to Dark Poet Cartier, Isolate Arafada, T-Frizzle, Omawunmi and his producer, Sossick.

Even though he has collaborated with a lot of artists, DaGrin still has some artists in mind that he hopes to work with in the future. He hopes to one day work with Mr. Incredible himself: M.I., Tuface Idibia and the Paris-born but Nigerian raised jazz and soul sensation: A?a (pronounced Asha). As to what his fans can expect from this album, DaGrin says they can expect street oriented tracks, mad hits, and their money’s worth! You can review some tracks off his C.E.O album below!

This is definitely one artist to watch out for now and in the coming years!! He’s FIRE!!!!

I REP DaGrin!

Listen to “Ghetto Dream”

Listen to “Pon Pon Pon”

Listen to “Kondo”

Listen to “Thank God” ft. Omawunmi

Listen to one of his collabo: “Pari Popo” with Owen Gee

You can download the featured songs in the FREE Mixes and Download Section.

For more information about DaGrin, join his facebook fanpage at:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=61521951758