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D’Banj

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
The Lion Lager Summer Beer Festival featuring Nigerian pop star D’Banj , Ugandan Bebe Cool and a host of Zimbabwean dancehall chanters in the mould of Winky D, Guspy Warrior and King Shaddy takes over Glamis Stadium tomorrow night.
The Zimbabwean artistes are no pushovers even though they are yet to reach star status.
It is all very well that dancehall music in Zimbabwe is gaining ground among fans and should D’Banj and Bebe Cool slacken on stage they will have no one except themselves to blame. Winky D has already fired warning shots and he is known for upstaging international artistes for as long as they do not up their act.

On the one hand, Winky D who is fondly called the Ninja President by his fans, has plenty of hits up his sleeves and raring to go.
On the other hand, Guspy Warrior is basking in the glory of his chart topper “Ita Seunononga” and the song is likely to teach D’Banj or Bebe a thing or two about Zimbabwe’s party scene.

Another talented artiste is King Shaddy whose real name is Shadreck Kwarire. Like his contemporaries, King Shaddy has the skill of an actor and full of surprises. He easily adapts to any situation and his control of the crowd is amazing.

Dubbed as “Battle of Africa”, the festival will see D’Banj representing West Africa, Babe Cool from East Africa and a host of Zimbabwean musicians among them Winky D, Guspy Warrior and King Shady representing Southern Africa.

D’Banj, born Dapo Daniel Oyebanj, is one of the sought-after Nigerian performers whose music will move those who enjoy African music whether young or old. What is surprising is that most Zimbabweans think D’Banj is a one-hit wonder and yet he several songs which are as entertaining as they are danceable. So music lovers should prepare for a great show with non-stop hits.

According to New York Times, D’Banj or Kokomaster as he is affectionately known by his legion of fans, “is one of the great African pop stars of the past decade, a charming singer but, more important, a savvy showman”.

“For years, this Nigerian singer was at the centre of the Mo’Hits Records stable, but now he’s struck out on his own with a new label and the compilation “D’Banj Presents DKM (D’ King’s Men)” (DB/G.O.O.D./Sony).

“It’s an alluring contemporary pop album with an emphasis on kingsize dance music, like the militarily efficient ‘Don’t Tell Me Nonsense’ and the flash of last year’s excellent smash hit ‘Oliver Twist’.

“D’Banj is also a savvy synthesizer of the old and new Africa, as on ‘Nous les Meilleurs (We the Best)’ a duet with the Congolese singer Fally Ipupa. But really, D’Banj has his eye on the world; he’s signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint, and the lovely ‘Scape Goat (The Fix)’ features what’s certainly the most cheerful version of Mr West you’ll hear this year, or any year.”

Early this year, the Nigerian thrilled fans at the closing ceremony of Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa with his acrobatic dance moves. He gave one of the best performances at the ceremony.

The same goes with Babe Cool. whose real name is Moses Ssali. Although he is not well known in Zimbabwe, he is the sort of musician that you will love and remember long after the show.

Last year, Nigerian group P-Square left the crowd begging for more and left a lasting impression on the music scene. Expectations are high this year and it remains to be seen whether or not D’Banj and Bebe Cool will rock the crowd.