D'Prince
{{Short description|Nigerian music executive}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = D'Prince
| image = D'Prince 2025.jpg
| caption = D'Prince in 2025
| birth_name = Charles Enebeli
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1986|10|23}}{{cite web | url=http://streetrequest.com/2015/08/d-prince-biography/ | title=D'Prince | publisher=Street Request | date=28 April 2015 | access-date=14 August 2015 | archive-date=15 August 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815034803/http://streetrequest.com/2015/08/d-prince-biography/ | url-status=dead }}
| birth_place = Ajegunle, Lagos State{{cite web | url=http://pulse.ng/gist/bio-dprince-id2783899.html | title=D'Prince Bio | publisher=PulseNg | date=28 April 2014 | access-date=16 May 2014| author=Admin}}
| nationality = Nigerian
| relatives =
| occupation = {{hlist|music executive|singer|songwriter|entrepreneur|promoter|philanthropist|executive producer}}
| alma_mater =
| known_for = Jonzing World
| years_active = 2005–present
| title = Record label executive
| boards = Jonzing World Entertainment
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| alias = {{hlist|Omoba|El Jefe}}
| origin = Isoko, Delta State
| genre = {{hlist|Afropop, Afrobeats}}
| label = Jonzing World
| associated_acts = D'Prince, Davido, Rema, Wizkid
}}}}
Charles Enebeli (born 23 October 1986),{{cite web | url=http://pulse.ng/gist/bio-dprince-id2783899.html | title=D'Prince Bio | date=28 April 2014 | access-date=16 May 2014}} known by his stage name D'Prince, is a Nigerian Grammy-nominated music executive, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, promoter, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of the entertainment company Jonzing World Entertainment,{{cite web |last1=Ibeh |first1=Ifeanyi |title=D’Prince insists Jonzing World is not linked to Mavin Records |url=https://guardian.ng/life/music/dprince-insists-jonzing-world-is-not-linked-to-mavin-records/ |website=The Guardian Nigeria |publisher=The Guardian Nigeria |access-date=12 April 2025 |date=24 January 2025}} founded in 2018 with subsidiaries Jonzing World, Jonzing World Publishing, Jonzing World Production, and Jonzing World Management, established in 2019. D'Prince is known for pioneering the West African pop culture and Afrobeats.
Under Jonzing World, D'Prince signed the following artists, including Rema, Gdzilla,{{cite web |title=D’Prince of Jonzing World unveils latest signee Gdzilla|url=https://guardian.ng/arts-2/dprince-of-jonzing-world-unveils-latest-signee-gdzilla/ |website=The Guardian Nigeria News |access-date=11 April 2025 |date=30 August 2023}} Bagetti,{{cite web |last1=Oshunloye |first1=Taiwo |title=D'Prince's Jonzing World unveils first female signee Bagetti |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/dprinces-jonzing-world-unveils-first-female-signee-bagetti/ |website=TheCable Lifestyle |access-date=11 April 2025 |date=4 March 2024}} and Glorious.{{cite web |last1=Okanlawon |first1=Taiwo |title=D’Prince’s Jonzing World unveils new artiste Glorious Boy |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2024/02/09/dprinces-jonzing-world-unveils-new-artiste-glorious-boy/ |website=P.M. News |access-date=11 April 2025}} He is credited for the crossover success of Rema's single "Calm Down", which earned Jonzing multiple platinum certification records from eleven countries, including the United States. He also served as an executive producer on Rema's studio albums, including Heis, which was nominated at the 67th Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album and earned him a special recognition from The Recording Academy.{{cite web |title=Grammy Recognises Nigerian Music Executive D’Prince For Executively Producing Rema’s ‘Heis’ Album |url=https://independent.ng/grammy-recognises-nigerian-music-executive-dprince-for-executively-producing-remas-heis-album/ |website=Independent Newspaper Nigeria |access-date=12 April 2025 |date=9 November 2024}}
Early life
Charles Enebeli was born in Lagos on 23 October 1986. He was born to Collins Enebeli from Delta State, a businessman and a musical production manager and founder of the record label Sagitarious Productions, and Patience Enebeli, an international Business tycoon. D'Prince is the younger brother of music mogul and CEO of Mavin Records, Don Jazzy.{{cite web | url=http://naijagists.com/meet-don-jazzy-dprince-the-entire-family/ | title=Meet Don Jazzy, D'Prince and the entire family | publisher=Naija Gists | access-date=27 July 2012}}
Music has always been in this family and he is not strange to the Music business. D'Prince is also known as "Omoba", which means a "Child of a King" in Yoruba language.
D'Prince attended King's College, Lagos{{cite web | url=http://pulse.ng/gist/bio-dprince-id2783899.html | title=D'Prince Bio | date=9 April 2014 | publisher=Pluse }} for his secondary level education and then decided to follow his passion in music.
Career
As a tribute to his mentor Fela and Bob Marley, D'Prince uses a fusion of Afrobeat and Afropop to bring his music to life in honor of his mentors. His songs are based on fact & life, with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young Nigerian trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Igbo, English and Pidgin English.
= 2005–2012: Mo' Hits records, & breakthrough single "Omoba" =
D'Prince was asked to be a part of the Mo' Hits Records in 2005 after his elder brother Don Jazzy came back from the UK to promote the record label in Nigeria.{{cite web | url=http://www.punchng.com/entertainment/e-punch/im-not-hiding-under-don-jazzys-shadow-dprince/ | title=D'Prince joining Mo' Hits | date=5 October 2012 | access-date=15 August 2015 | archive-date=24 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105918/http://www.punchng.com/entertainment/e-punch/im-not-hiding-under-don-jazzys-shadow-dprince/ | url-status=dead }} Ever since he joined Mo' Hits Records in 2005 he has been behind the scenes working on his personal album Frenzy which released under the record label in 2012.
D'Prince has recorded many songs for Mo' Hits Records and also the Mo' Hits Records compilation album Curriculum Vitae which was released in December 2007. It included hit singles, "Booty Call", "Close To You", "Masquerade", "Stop The Violence", "Igbe Mi", "Hey Girl", "What You Want To Do To Me", "Oh No", which was the lead single. On 25 November 2009, D'Prince released his single titled "Omoba"{{cite web | url=http://notjustok.com/2009/11/25/world-premiere-dprince-drops-3-new-singles/ | title=World Premiere: D'Prince Drops 3 New Singles | publisher=Notjustok | date=25 November 2009 | access-date=14 August 2015 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095447/http://notjustok.com/2009/11/25/world-premiere-dprince-drops-3-new-singles/ | url-status=dead }} and was relaunched in 2010. On 13 April 2010 the official Video of the song "Omoba" was released.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lifnQwVZo4A | title=D'Prince Omoba Official Video | date=13 April 2010 | publisher=MoHitsRecordsTV | access-date=13 April 2010}} through Mo' Hits Records.
= 2012–2019: Mavin Records, Frenzy, O.Y.O, Bestie, & Gucci Gang =
D'Prince moved to Mavin Records after the dissolution of Mo' Hits Records in 2012. On 31 October 2012, he released three singles "Goody Bag", "Call The Police", and "Real G" featuring M.I Abaga off his debut studio album Frenzy.{{cite web |title=D'Prince is Here! The Mavin Prince Drops 3 Hot New Singles off His Debut Album, "Frenzy" |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2012/10/dprince-is-here-the-mavin-prince-drops-3-hot-new-singles-off-his-debut-album-frenzy/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=31 October 2012}} On 5 November 2012, he released his "1st" studio album Frenzy.{{cite web |title=Mavin Records Releases Track List For D'Prince Upcoming Album 'Frenzy' |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/mavin-records-releases-track-list-for-dprince-upcoming-album-frenzy/gnk48x9 |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=12 July 2021 |language=en |date=16 October 2013}} The album features Wande Coal, Don Jazzy, Dr SID, Wizkid, Timaya, M.I Abaga, Tiwa Savage, Bracket, Sinzu (fka Sauce Kid), Eva Alordiah, General Pype, and Ice Prince. The deluxe version was released on Truspot.{{cite web |title=Track Listing Of D'Prince's 'Frenzy' Album… |url=https://www.informationng.com/2012/11/track-listing-of-dprinces-frenzy-album.html |website=Information Nigeria |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=3 November 2012}} His studio album was exclusively produced by his brother Don Jazzy, with the likes of BabyFresh, Burssbrain (fka Altims), Aone Beats, Spellz and Joshbeatz. On 8 May 2012, Mavin released its first compilation album Solar Plexus, featuring D'Prince, among others. He recorded "Take Banana" and "Amarachi" as solos on the album, which became a major hit.
In 2014, he released "OYO (On Your Own)", a wake-up call to the nation to fight for themselves.{{cite web |title=New Music: D'Prince – O.Y.O |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2014/09/new-music-dprince-o-y-o/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=5 September 2014}} The record was produced by Don Jazzy, with voiceover record from him, saying "Hey my men, now is not the time, it's the time to sit back and think about your life". According to music critic Chinwe Okafor of YNaija, the record is probably the best thing he has done in a while.{{cite web |last1=Igboanugo |first1=Ada |title=#YNaijaMusicVideoReview: D'prince's 'Oyo' is probably the best thing he has done in a while » YNaija |url=https://naija.yafri.ca/ynaijamusicvideoreview-dprinces-oyo-is-probably-the-best-thing-he-has-done-in-a-while/ |website=YNaija |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=12 February 2015}} Chinwe Okafor described the song as a modern-day Fela vibe, rating the song 3.5 out of 5, and passing the song with A for its effort, and acting skill, saying, "The video basically describes the lackadaisical beings in the country." On 30 November, the visual of O.Y.O was released and shot in Lagos by Clarence Peters.{{cite web |title=New Video: D'Prince – O.Y.O |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2014/11/new-video-dprince-oyo/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=30 November 2014}}
On 3 August 2015, he released Bestie, featuring Don Jazzy, and Babyfresh, who also played a major role as producers of the song.{{cite web |title=D'Prince – 'Bestie' ft Don Jazzy, Baby Fresh |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/new-music-dprince-bestie-ft-don-jazzy-baby-fresh/ehvngdv |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=12 July 2021 |language=en |date=3 August 2015}}
On 2 October 2017, he released Sade, produced by Babyfresh. Same day he released the music video of Sade, shot by Unlimited LA.{{cite web |title=New Music + Video: D'Prince – Sade |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2017/10/new-music-video-dprince-sade/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=2 October 2017}}
On 16 February 2018, he released Gucci Gang, produced by Don Jazzy.{{cite web |title=Join The 'Gucci Gang' with D'Prince, Davido & Don Jazzy On This New Jam, Listen! |url=https://soundcity.tv/join-the-gucci-gang-with-dprince-davido-don-jazzy-on-this-new-jam-listen/ |website=Soundcity Africa |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=16 February 2018}} On 27 April 2018, he released the music video, directed by Director Q.{{cite web |title=D'Prince releases Music Video for "Gucci Gang" feat. Davido & Don Jazzy {{!}} Watch |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2018/04/dprince-releases-music-video-gucci-gang-feat-davido-don-jazzy-watch/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=27 April 2018}} On 28 February 2018, Rema, post a viral freestyle of Gucci Gang{{cite web |title=How D'Prince gave Mavin Records a new lease of life |url=https://thenet.ng/dprince-gave-mavin-records-new-lease-life/ |website=Nigerian Entertainment Today |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=9 November 2020}} on Instagram, tagging him, and Don Jazzy on the post, which caught Prince attention, and secured Rema, a record deal with Jonzing World.
On 3 May 2019, he released a three track extended play, titled Lavida, and produced by Altims, and Babyfresh.{{cite web |title=EP Review: D'Prince 'Lavida' is calculative and safe, but struggles with satisfaction |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/ep-review-pulse-gives-a-breakdown-of-dprinces-lavida-ep/bqvwydc |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=12 July 2021 |language=en |date=6 May 2019}} The extended play also features Rema, and Don Jazzy.
=2020-present:Mavin's departure and the Foundation=
On 9 May 2020, Guardian Life Magazine reported that D'Prince departed Mavin Records following the release of his extended play Lavida and the expiration of his eight-year contract on 8 May 2020.{{cite web |last1=Ibeh |first1=Ifeanyi |title=D'Prince exits Mavin Records after end of 8-year-contract |url=https://guardian.ng/life/music/dprince-exits-mavin-records-after-end-of-8-year-contract/ |website=Guardian Life Magazine |publisher=The Guardian Nigeria |access-date=12 April 2025 |date=9 May 2020}} In an interview on Twitter, he broke the news in response to a question about his recording contract with Mavin Records and the relationship with his label, Jonzing World. D'Prince said, "My record deal with Mavin Records ended on 8 May 2020, and it has been an amazing 16 years under my brother Don Jazzy".
On 23 October 2024, D'Prince officially launched the Charles Enebeli Humanitarian Foundation in Asaba, Delta State, to celebrate his 38 birthday.{{cite web |last1=Enoch |first1=Mercy |title=Charles Enebeli Foundation launched in Asaba |url=https://businessday.ng/life/article/charles-enebeli-foundation-launched-in-asaba/ |website=BusinessDay Nigeria |access-date=12 April 2025}}
= Jonzing World =
{{Main|Jonzing World}}
On 22 March 2019, he launched his record label, and management company Jonzing World.{{cite web |title=Don Jazzy signs record deal with D'Prince's Jonzing World |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/03/don-jazzy-signs-record-deal-with-dprinces-jonzing-world/ |website=Vanguard News |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=23 March 2019}} An imprint of Mavin Records, and home to recording artists Rema, and Ruger. On 21 January 2021, Jonzing World released One Shirt, featuring Ruger, D'Prince, and Rema.{{cite web |title=New Music: Ruger feat. D'Prince & Rema – One Shirt |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2021/01/ruger-rema-dprince-one-shirt/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=21 January 2021}} Same day, Jonzing World released the visual to One Shirt, shot by Priorgold Pictures.{{cite web |title=Jonzing World presents the music video for 'One Shirt' feat. Ruger, Rema & D'Prince {{!}} WATCH VIDEO! |url=https://notjustok.com/videos/jonzing-world-ruger-rema-dprince-one-shirt/ |website=NotjustOk |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=21 January 2021}}
Personal life
On 23 May 2025, D'Prince took to X, in a series of tweets and declared himself a vegetarian, for his health, mind, and future.{{cite web |last1=Itodo |first1=Sunny Green |title=I am now a vegetarian - D’Prince |url=https://dailypost.ng/2025/05/24/i-am-now-a-vegetarian-dprince/ |website=Daily Post Nigeria |access-date=25 May 2025 |date=24 May 2025}}
Discography
= Singles =
Collaborations
Awards and recognition
= Awards and nominations =
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!width="250"| Awards ceremony !width="350"| Category !width="250"| Recipient !width="75" | Results |
|---|
| rowspan="3"|2010
|rowspan="2"|Nigeria Entertainment Awards |Best New Act of the Year |Himself |{{nom}} |
| Most Promising Act to Watch
|Himself |{{nom}} |
| The Headies
|Himself |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="5"|2011
|rowspan="2"|The Headies | "Give It To Me" (feat. D'Banj) |{{nom}} |
| Song of the Year
| "Give It To Me" (feat. D'Banj) |{{nom}} |
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards
|Hottest Single Of The Year | "Give It To Me" (feat. D'Banj) |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"|Channel O Music Video Awards
|Most Gifted Video of the Year |rowspan="2"| "Molowo Noni" (by SAMKLEF) (feat. D'Prince, Wizkid, Ice Prince) |{{nom}} |
| Most Gifted Duo, Group or Featuring Video
|{{nom}} |
| rowspan="3"|2013
|rowspan="2"|The Headies | "Goody Bag" |{{nom}} |
| Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year
| Frenzy! |{{nom}} |
| Nigeria Music Video Awards
|Best use of Costumes | "Goody Bag" |{{nom}} |
| 2025
|{{nom}} |
=Recognition=
On 21 December 2021, TurnTable listed D'Prince on its Power List as one of the industry power players of 2021.{{cite web |last1=Team |first1=TurnTable |title=TurnTable Power List 2021 |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/magazine/2nd/36 |website=TurnTable |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=12 April 2025}}
On 9 November 2024, The Recording Academy recognises D'Prince for his contribution on Rema’s second studio album Heis.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.twitter.com/DPRINCEMAVIN Twitter account]
- [https://www.facebook.com/DPRINCEMAVIN Facebook account]
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{{Jonzing World}}
{{Mavin Records}}
{{Mo' Hits Records}}
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Category:21st-century Nigerian male singers
Category:21st-century Nigerian singer-songwriters
Category:Musicians from Umuahia