Dear Oyebanjo, Dapo Daniel AKA D’Banj,
I am seated at a local restaurant here at the university town of Nsukka, in Enugu State, Nigeria, drinking a bottle of Fayrouz and listening to the sound of the generator, which is the only source of electricity around here.
I have watched your latest music video. I went through the rigour last night. It is the video of the song entitled “Don’t Tell Me Nonsense” and it was awfully disgusting, the song, I mean. Kaffy and the rest of the dancers didn’t disappoint in the video.
This is bad, I know, using awful and disgusting, in same sentence. But that is what I feel about what I saw. Brother, D’Banj, a lot has changed since you left your brother and hustle partner, Ajereh, Michael Collins AKA Don Jazzy. Truth. Your songs have been nothing but trash. I wonder if anyone has said anything nice to you since you started making songs outside Don Jazzy. If they have, it must have been for that singular hit song entitled ‘Oliver Twist.’ Kai! That song swept through Nigeria and the rest of the world. You would not believe that the ordinary child on the streets of Nsukka knows the lyrics of that song and the dance steps too.
In Nigeria, there are plenty factors that weigh us down. One is our inability to manage our weaknesses. I see you have been buying yourself expensive jewelleries. The other day, I saw on Olorisupergal’s blog that you wear a wristwatch worth my entire family and maybe inheritance. I commend your taste. You are a lucky and hardworking man. You deserve it, besides; ‘Oliver Twist’ made marks. It took the Nigerian music to a height that had never been seen in recent times. Its toping charts, downloads, Youtube views and itunes purchases are amongst the few things I can mention.
Dear, D’Banj, Don Jazzy may not be an ideal partner, I bet you, no one is an ideal partner! Perfect couples quarrel and make up. It is the joy of having such union. I believe misunderstanding is part of us, as humans. I will run to the zoo the day I see a union that agrees on almost everything.
Back to your music, I feel Don Jazzy was made to make good music with you. He may not only be your producer, but whatever input, from advice, to production, will go a long way. Besides, he has been miserable too, without you. I have seen his eyes in music videos. There is one he did with Tiwa Savage. Ah, Tiwa. She looked dazzling, while Don Jazzy looked wanting and dispirited. Tiwa may have a perfect voice but Don Jazzy has not been able to achieve what he did with you. The other boys, K-Switch, Wande Coal and the goody bag crooner, D’Prince are unfortunate learners. They must be stark illiterates to have taken sides when you guys parted. I understand their ignorance. But my concern here is, if you wish to stay relevant in the sight of Nigerians, making good music, and not caressing a stripper on stage on your birthday, then you have to make amends with Don Jazzy and understand that people argue because they are beneficial to themselves. Only dummies agree on everything.
I think tribalism had a lot to play in your split. It is a sad reality, if I am right. Tribalism will eventually destroy Nigeria. Our young people think they belong to a superior tribe and so make silly comments which sometimes bring about misconception and then crisis. I once had a boss, who is Igbo, who felt my tribe’s men were lazy, just because she came to my state and saw a job and was privileged to be a high ranking staff. I have had people who think those from the north should be gatekeepers and cobblers. Someone called me a militant once in Abuja, at the Sheraton, when he discovered I was from the Niger-Delta. I forgave his gross stupidity. I think we should drink a cup of water when ignorant people say rubbish about our personalities or flaws and relate it to tribe.
You are a great young man, D’Banj. Few people have attained the height you have. I am encouraged to pursue what I am currently pursuing because I know I will triumph. Your likes and that of 2Face Idibia, despite your weaknesses are heroes. And you must recall that Kanye West met you because he had heard good stuff from you. When nothing good manifests, he may be forced to give you a new job description at Good Music, which may be mopping of the floor of the studio. This evil will not befall you. If you believe it, type amen.
D’Banj, pride is the worst enemy of any man who wishes to last longer anywhere. A drop of arrogance may work, but pride is detrimental. You were called the ‘entertainer’ because you offered entertainment. Today, Inyanya, Kcee, Flavour, Wizkid and Davido are doing better. Imagine Burna-Boy, chai, that boy has some senses oh. His music, even when he is talking nonsense makes you want to sit and listen or dance to it, as the case may be. The only person that is yet to outshine you is my dearest sister, Tontolet Dike. That girl needs Jesus.
I have to go back to my drink. I paid for it and it is almost missing me. I enjoy your struggle or hustle, as you may choose to call it. I wish to hear something profound from you. While awaiting that miracle that only you can perform, I wish you the very best of life.
Your admirer,
Nwilo bura-Bari Vincent
@saintvinny
The line about tribalism takes all the credibility out of this piece. Blatantly unneeded and out of place. Any Dbanj voltron would have a field day on this writer. Otherwise decent. One does not agree totally sha…
My thoughts exactly. Piece was lovely d tribalism bit was out of context n pointless
dbanj did not leave mo hit.,,,, don jazz drove him out
Strange piece…. That tribalism part ruined it fo sure… No one except close peeps knows the reason behind DB n IDJA’s split so saying tribalism is part of it is totally uncool… You took too many shots with rubber bullets on this one that wont put a lion down. Geddit?
Anyway, God bless yo hustle. The writer that is.
guy u get sense die o!.. i wasnt in total agreement when u started with the Don Jazzy thing but even i as a South African fan who’s been following his career since, i find it hard to figure out what direction his new music is taking. so i agree in that maybe they dont need to b partnaz but maybe he cud take some advice from Don Jazzy.. i mean obviously the magic was in their union.. nice piece my guy..
I was first angry with her first statement but later liked all she said.Dbanj is still my man
Hmmm..very nice indeed..one would feel this letter is as a result of the drink u say your drinking..buh its good..I really hope it gets to dbanj and hopefully someone might show it too donjazzy too..#word
was top of the world crap as well? all you writers desperate for attention just write crap about D’banj cos other haters will follow. better focus on how your life and stop writing irrelevant crap that he wouldnt read.
I think this animal that post this kind of stupid open letter is alive when D banj. Lunch is first album called” THE ENTERTAINER”. Where this artist called him self entertainer not a musician, so what is your problem?……..
Outstanding!!! This is some common sense talk, i do hope he listens.
Rubbish letter. God punish the hand you use in typing ds rubbish.
truly nigeria music scene miss this couple….
I couldn’t even finish the letter. And it made it to a headline. *sigh!* if you must criticize, do that constructively without even comparison. Is DonJazzy God? Is he the only producer in the world? It was a bad marriage and how are you sure Don Jazzy isn’t the proud one. I’m a fan of good music and didn’t choose sides when they split. I don’t like the song either but come to think of it, the likes of sid and dprince still with Donjazzy are still making rubbish songs or it is obvious you are on the ‘Igbo’ side.
Mehn! I’m done. Too many BS on this letter. My advice is y’all leave them and face your own business. You don’t like a song, move on! *sips stout*
I am disappointed that people will allow other people post crap on their sites just for hits
This is such a stupid article filled with drivel and no facts whatsoever
Then the tribalism card?
And you guys allowed this be posted?
Stupidity
I saw something on twitter, “Dbanj is making millions, you are writing open letter”
While i do not neccessarily think making money is the standard for whether or not something is being done right, i do hope Dbanj does not lose even a wink of sleep over an article not worth his time.
Bloody attention seeker
The writer makes some valid points and all in all he comes across as a concerned fan wishing for Dbanj to return to his former glory. It is undeniable that the quality and even entertainment value of Dbanj’s work has faltered at least to our Nigerian tastes.
The only thing I might not quite agree with is the tribalism angle. The piece could have done without it. Otherwise, pretty good job hope the kokomaster reads it.
Nice piece, its so unfortunate that fools still take sides and talk shit. I mean we all loved the product of mohit’s union and still wish to see and hear something as good as the old days. I commend the writer for his boldness, only a true fan will tell u the truth no matter how bitter and this guy did the job. Bravo. U can’t go “realler” than this even if you are a big primate. WORD!!!