Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, also known as Dagrin (25 October 1984 – 22 April 2010), was a

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

from

Ogun Ogun or Ogoun (Yoruba: Ògún, Portuguese: Ogum, Gu; also spelled Oggun or Ogou; known as Ogún or Ogum in Latin America) is a spirit that appears in several African religions. He attempted to seize the throne after the demise of Obatala, who ...

, Nigeria. A film of his life entitled ''Ghetto Dreamz'' was released in April 2011.

Early life

Olaonipekun's home was in Meiran, Alagbado, Lagos.

Career

He released his first studio album Still On The Matter, but the album flopped due to not having enough promotion. 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 "PonPonPon" (stylized as PONPONPON) is a song and debut single by Japanese singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. It was released as the lead single for her EP, ''Moshi Moshi Harajuku'', and later included on her debut album, ''Pamyu Pamyu Revolution''. The s ...

", Best Rap Act and Best Collaboration with vocals. His album ''C.E.O.'' (Chief executive Omota ''English:'' Chief Executive Thug) won the Hip hop World Award 2010 for best rap album. 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, 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 One of the song he sang from the album ''If I Die.'' was ''If I Die'', it was as if he knew he was going to actually die after the release of that album.

Legacy

Da Grin was cited as one of the pioneers of dialect

rap Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

singers of

Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...

language and Pidgin in

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

. 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".

''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.

Discography

* '' Still On The Matter'' (2006) * '' C.E.O (Chief Executive Omoita)'' (2009) * '' If I Die'' (2011)

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 after a vehicle accident in

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until December 1991 fo ...

, Nigeria.

References

External links

Interview about album Album reviewBiographyGhetto Dreamz Trailer
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grin, Da Nigerian male rappers 2010 deaths 1987 births Yoruba musicians People from Ogun State Road incident deaths in Nigeria