For one of the biggest music exports Africa has produced, Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’banj to remain atop his game for over a decade is because of his quest to continuously evolve.
The Entertainer rose to fame with his erstwhile partner, Don Jazzy with both friends having a deep musical synergy no one could explain. They were arguably the biggest thing that happened to Nigerian music industry and together, they formed the Mohits group which became the biggest record label in Africa. They ruled the airwaves, one song at a time. But sadly, few years after, the cookie crumbled and the Mohits group announced their breakup.
Their fans begged and quietly hoped that one day, they would eventually come back together, but that day never came until 28th December 2017 when African pop sensation and DMW boss Davido brokered a reunion between the former Mohits group off the heels of his ’30 Billion Concert’.
Here’s what Dbanj had to tell NET TV’s JOAN OMIONAWELE about the Mohits Reunion
‘When I got the call from Davido, I knew it was not going to be easy, in fact, he gave us N15Million out of his N3OBillion(okay I was joking) He had already spoken to every other person before me because I was out of town and when he eventually told me, the first thing I asked him was if he had called Don Jazzy. David told me he was just returning from Don Jazzy’s house at midnight’.
‘After some back and forth, we finally agreed’. Dbanj said
‘He also revealed that himself and the other members of the defunct Mohits group are thinking of bigger reunion concert this year. ‘After Davido brought us on stage, everybody started rushing to contact us, offers have now come in for a 10 -15 city Mo hits reunion and when we seal the deal, we will definitely make it official’.
D’banj also shared some secrets of his decade-long career in the music industry. According to him, his longevity in the game where many have waned into oblivion is borne out of his stubbornness and quest to evolve.
‘I have been able to remain relevant because I am stubborn. When I released the ‘Entertainer’ album in 2008 I never knew the grace of God will bring me this far. One also has to be very hardworking. You have to be true to yourself, very determined. One has to believe in one’s source, and if you know your source, you can always re-invent’ yourself. Change is constant but you have to change and adapt and make sure you are giving value’ D’banj said.
Watch the full interview above