Dagrin
{{Short description|Nigerian rapper (1984–2010)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = DaGrin
| image = Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| birth_name = Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun
| alias = Barack O'Grin, Lyrical Werre, Fi mi le Jo.
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1984|10|25}}
| birth_place = Ogun State, Nigeria
| origin = Ogun, Nigeria
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2010|4|22|1984|10|25}}
| death_place = Mushin, Lagos State, Nigeria
| genre = Hip hop
| occupation = Rapper, singer
| instrument = Vocal, piano
| years_active = 1994–2010
| label = Misofunyin Entertainment
| associated_acts = Sossick, D.J Spaclare, D.J Neptune, MI, 9ice, Reminisce,Konga, Omawumi, TGBT Entertainment, Ruggedman, Kode, OritseFemi, Kenny St. Brown, Sheyman, Dr. Frabz, Frenzy, Heavy L Beatz
| website =
}}
Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun,{{cite web|date=22 April 2010|title=A shining star dimmed too soon – Rising Nigerian Musician DaGrin has passed away|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2010/04/22/a-shining-star-dimmed-too-soon-rising-nigerian-musician-da-grin-has-passed-away/|accessdate=5 June 2011|publisher=Bella Naija}} also known as Dagrin (25 October 1984 – 22 April 2010), was a Nigerian rapper from Ogun, Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://nationaldailyngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1302:dagrin-the-life-of-an-artiste&catid=45:shop&Itemid=404 |title=Dagrin: The Life of an Artiste |publisher=Nationaldailyngr.com |date=30 April 2011 |accessdate=5 June 2011}} A film of his life entitled Ghetto Dreamz was produced in April 2011.{{Cite web |last=izuzu |first=chibumga |date=2017-04-21 |title=A biopic that fails to capture a rapper's life |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/ghetto-dreamz-the-dagrin-story-a-biopic-that-fails-to-capture-a-rappers-life/km96st7 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2011-03-09 |title=BN Bytes: Trailer & Posters for "Ghetto Dreamz" – The Da Grin Biopic |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2011/03/bn-bytes-trailer-posters-for-ghetto-dreamz-the-da-grin-biopic/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}} He is recognized for paving the way for indigenous rap in Nigeria.{{Cite web |last=Okeke-Korieocha |first=Ifeoma |date=2023-04-15 |title=The legacy of Dagrin: How he paved way for Olamide, Asake in music scene |url=https://businessday.ng/bd-weekender/article/the-legacy-of-dagrin-how-he-paved-way-for-olamide-asake-in-music-scene/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}} He is widely considered one of the greatest Nigerian rappers of all time.{{Cite web |last=LHX |first=TRANSSION |title="Nigerian Hip-Hop Died When DaGrin Died" - CDQ Says {{!}} Boombuzz |url=https://www.boomplay.com/buzz/1400344 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Boomplay Music - WebPlayer |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-04-22 |title=10 Years On: DaGrin, The Novelistic Voice Of The Streets |url=https://notjustok.com/article/10-years-on-dagrin-a-rapper-who-challenged-the-single-story/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=NotjustOk |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/525253-remembering-dagrin-nigerias-foremost-indigenous-rapper12-years-after.html |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.premiumtimesng.com}}{{Cite web |last=LHX |first=TRANSSION |title=M.I Abaga Tells On The Impact Of Dagrin {{!}} Boombuzz |url=https://www.boomplay.com/buzz/1134498 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Boomplay Music - WebPlayer |language=en}}
Early life
Olaonipekun's home was in Meiran, Alagbado, Lagos State.{{Cite web |title=Get Heard within Our Artist Community {{!}} Slaps powered by DistroKid |url=https://slaps.com/?action=influence&id=Da%20grin |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Slaps |language=en}}
Career
He released his first studio album Still On The Matter in 2006-07. In 2009, He released his second studio album called C.E.O. (Chief Executive Omoita). In 2010 he was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Awards for Best Album (C.E.O.), Hottest Single "Pon Pon Pon", Best Rap Act and Best Collaboration with vocals.{{cite web |url=http://www.jaguda.com/2010/07/09/nea-awards-2010-nominees-da-grin-omawumi-shine/ |title=NEA Awards 2010 Nominees – Da Grin & Omawumi Shine |date=9 July 2010 |publisher=Jaguda.com |accessdate=5 June 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022220356/http://jaguda.com/2010/07/09/nea-awards-2010-nominees-da-grin-omawumi-shine/ |url-status=dead }} His album C.E.O. (Chief executive Omota English: Chief Executive Thug) won the Hip hop World Award 2010 for best rap album.{{cite web |url=http://www.jaguda.com/2010/05/30/hip-hop-world-awards-2010-winners/ |title=Hip-Hop World Awards 2010 Winners |date=30 May 2010 |publisher=Jaguda.com |accessdate=5 June 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022222346/http://jaguda.com/2010/05/30/hip-hop-world-awards-2010-winners/ |url-status=dead }} From it came the singles "Pon Pon Pon", and "Kondo". Dagrin worked with other Nigerian artists such as Y.Q, 9ice, M.I, Iceberg Slim, Omobaba, Hyce_age Terry G, Ms Chief, Owen G, K01, code, MISTAR DOLLAR, TMD entertainment, Omawumi, Chudy K, Bigiano, and Konga. His third studio If I Die was released posthumously.
Legacy
Da Grin was cited as one of the pioneers of dialect rap singers of Yoruba and Pidgin in Nigeria. Nigerian journalist, Idoko Salihu of Premium Times, stated that "Da Grin was a rapper who revolutionised the Nigerian rap industry, he infused English with his native dialect".{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/389229-da-grin-remembering-a-rap-legend-decade-after-death.html|title = Da Grin: Remembering a rap legend decade after death|date = 22 April 2020}}
M.I. released "End of Time" tribute to Da Grin after the rapper's demise in 2010.{{Cite web |title=Premiere: M.I - End of Time (Tribute to DaGrin) |url=https://notjustok.com/article/premiere-mi-time-tribute-dagrin/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=NotjustOk |date=6 May 2010 |language=en-US}}'Nigerian All Stars' which included Sheyman, Ruggedman, Banky W, Omawunmi, Lord of Ajasa, Tony Tetuila and a host of others released "My Pain", a tribute to Da Grin after his death.{{Cite web |last=Wonah |first=Israel |date=2024-01-15 |title=Sheyman - My Pain (Tribute To Dagrin) ft Naija All Stars Mp3 Download » TrendyBeatz |url=https://trendybeatz.com/download-mp3/13733/sheyman-my-pain-tribute-to-dagrin-ft-naija-all-stars |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=trendybeatz.com |language=en}} Rapper Olamide released "Tribute to Dagrin" in 2011.{{Cite web |last=LHX |first=TRANSSION |title=Olamide - Tribute To Dagrin (Bonus) MP3 Download & Lyrics {{!}} Boomplay |url=https://www.boomplay.com/songs/190326 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Boomplay Music - WebPlayer |language=en}}
Musicians who regard Da Grin as influence on their careers. Notable singers of this caliber include Olamide,{{Cite web |last=Nwanne |first=Tony |date=2017-04-22 |title=I Never Met Dagrin - Olamide - {{!}} Newsbreak Nigeria |url=https://newsbreak.ng/i-never-met-dagrin-olamide/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Newsbreak.ng |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Godwin |first=Ameh Comrade |date=2015-06-15 |title=Stop comparing me with DaGrin - Olamide |url=https://dailypost.ng/2015/06/15/stop-comparing-me-with-dagrin-olamide/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}} CDQ,{{Cite web |last=O |first=Olabimpe |date=2020-09-16 |title="Nigerian Hip-Hop Died When DaGrin Died" - Rapper, CDQ Speaks |url=https://tooxclusive.com/nigerian-hip-hop-died-when-dagrin-died-rapper-cdq-speaks/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=tooXclusive |language=en-US}} Reminisce, Oladips, YQ{{Cite web |last=Onipede |first=Olamide |date=2016-01-15 |title=YQ Reveals How Dagrin's Death Has Affected Him & His Career |url=http://beatingbeats.com/news/yq-talks-dagrins-death-how-it-has-affected-him-his-career/31166 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=BeatingBeats.com |language=en-GB}} Nito-P{{Cite web|title= Nigerian afro hip-hop sensation Nito-P on his musical journey|first=Benjamin|last=Njoku|url= https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/07/nigerian-afro-hip-hop-sensation-nito-p-on-his-musical-journey/|date=25 July 2024|website=Vanguard|access-date=25 September 2024}} etc.
''Ghetto Dreamz''
A film of his life Ghetto Dreamz, starring Trybson Dudukoko and Doris Simeon-Ademinokan as his girlfriend has been made and was released in April 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/03/09/bn-bytes-trailer-posters-for-ghetto-dreamz-the-da-grin-biopic/ |title=BN Bytes: Trailer & Posters for "Ghetto Dreamz" – The Da Grin Biopic |publisher=Bella Naija |date=9 March 2011 |accessdate=5 June 2011}}
Discography
- Still On The Matter (2006)
- C.E.O (Chief Executive Omoita) (2009)
- If I Die (2011)
- Legends Never Die, Pt. 1 (2023)
Awards and nominations
=Won=
- 2010 Hip Hop World Awards – Best Rap Album
=Nominated=
- 2010 Hip Hop World Awards – Artiste of the Year
Death
Olaonipekun had an accident on April 14, 2010 & died 8 days later at the age of 25 on 22 April 2010 in Lagos, Nigeria.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120321182542/http://www.werunthings.net/2009/11/dagrin-c-e-o-chief-executive-omo-ita/ Interview about album ]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110513083022/http://www.hiphopworldmagazine.com/reviews1.php?rID=1 Album review]
- [https://codedwapng.com/2019/03/see-top-facts-from-dagrin-biography-you-probably-dont-know-photos/ Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616054529/https://codedwapng.com/2019/03/see-top-facts-from-dagrin-biography-you-probably-dont-know-photos/ |date=16 June 2021 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110317001412/http://www.nollywood.com/video/56/Ghetto-Dreamz--The-Dagrin-Story-trailer Ghetto Dreamz Trailer]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Grin, Da}}
Category:Nigerian male rappers
Category:21st-century male rappers