''D'Kings Men'' is a

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one Performing arts#Performers, performer or by several performers. If the recordings are from ...

by recording artists of Nigerian record label DB Records. It was released on June 24, 2013, by the label and

Sony Music Sony Music Entertainment (SME), commonly known as Sony Music, is an American multinational music company owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony Group Corporation. It is the recording division of Sony Music Group, with the other half being the ...

. The album was produced by

Don Jazzy Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982), known professionally as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian music executive, record producer, singer, songwriter, businessman, and philanthropist. He founded the record label Mavin Records in 2012, as a sub ...

, Jay Sleek and Dee Vee, among others. Primarily recorded by DB Records signees

D'banj Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), known professionally as D'banj ( ), is a Nigerians, Nigerian singer, rapper, music executive, event host and television personality. He signed with American rapper Kanye West's record label GOOD Music ...

, Kayswitch, and J.Sol, the album features collaborations with

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...

Big Sean Sean Michael Leonard Anderson (born March 25, 1988), known professionally as Big Sean, is an American rapper. He met Kanye West as a teenager, and signed with his record label GOOD Music, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings in 2007. He gained popul ...

, Snoop Lion,

Fally Ipupa Fally Ipupa N'simba (born 14 December 1977), known professionally as Fally Ipupa, is a Congolese musician and dancer. Often referred to as the "Prince of Rumba", he is known for his tenor vocals and his fusion of contemporary and traditional ...

, Durella,

Olamide Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is regarded as one of the most influential artists in Nigeria and Africa and has been crucial to the creative and commercial succe ...

, Ikechukwu and

Naeto C Naetochukwu Chikwe, stage name Naeto C, is a Nigerian rapper, Afrobeat artist and record producer. He rose to prominence with the track 'Kini Big Deal' which is credited for changing the Nigerian hip hop sound. Known for his catchy hooks and s ...

. ''D'Kings Men'' was supported by the singles "

Oliver Twist ''Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress'', is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens. It was originally published as a serial from 1837 to 1839 and as a three-volume book in 1838. The story follows the titular orphan, who, ...

", "Sister Caro", " Oyato", "Bachelor", " Top of the World", "Cashflow", " Don't Tell Me Nonsense", "For Example", " Finally", "Why You Love Me" and "Obimo (My Heart)". The album received mixed reviews from

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on ...

, who panned its lyrics and sound.

Background and release

D'banj started recording the album and establishing DB Records before parting with Don Jazzy, who was his longstanding business partner. Since its inception, multiple acts have signed to the label, including Kayswitch, J.Sol, Jay Sleek, Durella and Dee Vee. In an interview with Seun Apara, D'banj said Don Jazzy produced four songs on the album and that the record consists of a compilation of songs recorded by himself, Kayswitch, and J.Sol. In an effort to curb piracy, the album was made available for purchase at all GT Bank offices in Nigeria and sent to consumers who pre-ordered it from D'banj's official website. ''D'Kings Men'' was released on iTunes a day after D'banj and

2 Chainz Tauheed K. Epps (born September 12, 1977), known professionally as 2 Chainz (formerly Tity Boi), is an American rapper and actor. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, he gained recognition as one-half of the Southern hip-hop duo Playaz Ci ...

headlined the DKM concert on June 23, 2013, at the

Eko Hotels and Suites Eko Hotels and Suites is a five-star conference centre hotel in Lagos. History Established in 1977 as ''Èkó Holiday Inn'' and built on Victoria Island, it is the largest hotel in Nigeria. It was designed by architect Oluwole Olumuyiwa in co ...

. The concert featured additional performances from Kayswitch,

Phyno Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike (; born 9 October 1986), who is known professionally as Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Phyno was born and raised in Enugu State but is a native of Anambra State. He started his musi ...

, Olamide,

Mafikizolo Mafikizolo is a South African Afro-pop music group formed in 1996, consisting of composer Theo Kgosinkwe, lead singer Nhlanhla Mafu and Composer Tebogo Madingoane, who was shot and killed 14 February 2004. The group rose to fame after they relea ...

, and

. Guest in attendance included

Ayo Makun Ayodeji Richard Makun (; born 19 August 1971), professionally known as A.Y, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and television presenter and film director. He is the host of the A.Y live shows and A.Y comedy skits. His debut movie, '' 30 Days ...

Kenya Moore Kenya Summer Moore (born January 24, 1971) is an American actress, author, entrepreneur, television personality and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 1993. Since 2012, she stars on the reality TV series, ''The Real Housewives of Atlant ...

, and

Toolz Tolu Oniru (born 6 July 1982), popularly known as Toolz, is a Nigerian radio personality, talk show host, and presenter. She hosts ''The Midday Show'' on The Beat 99.9 FM. Toolz aka Tolu Oniru-Demuren became the acting Program Director of The B ...

, among others.

Singles

The album's lead single, "

", was released on May 11, 2012. Sesan Ogunro directed the music video, which includes cameos from

Pusha T Terrence LeVarr Thornton (born May 13, 1977), better known by his stage name Pusha T, is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as one half of the Virginia-based hip hop duo Clipse, which he formed with his older brother No Malice, Malice. M ...

, and Manny Fresh. The D'banj-assisted track "Sister Caro" was released on June 9, 2012, as the album's second single. The accompanying music video for the song was filmed in Lagos. The album's third single " Oyato", which was released on July 14, 2012, serves as D'banj's first official single in the post- Mo'Hits era. "Bachelor" was released on November 10, 2012, as the album's fourth single. Its music video was also filmed by Sesan in Atlanta. The album's fifth single, " Top of the World", was released on December 13, 2012. It was the official SuperSport anthem for the 2013 African Nations Cup. The music video for "Top of the World", which was recorded in South Africa, features scenes of D’banj singing into a forest of mics while performing with a dreadlocked guitarist and rock drummer. "Cashflow," a song featuring Kayswitch, was released as the album's sixth single on December 21, 2012. Sesan also directed the song's music video. The album's seventh single, " Don't Tell Me Nonsense", was released on March 30, 2013. The song's music video, which was filmed in Lagos by Matt Max, features an army of dancers, smoke bombs, and helicopters. "For Example" was released on March 30, 2013, as the album's eighth single. The accompanying music video for the song was recorded by Matt Max in Mende Village, Lagos. Nigerian singer Durella made a cameo appearance in the video. The album's ninth single, "Why You Love Me", was released on April 21, 2013. The song's music video was directed by Godfather Productions and uploaded to YouTube on December 13, 2013. " Finally" was released on June 20, 2013, as the album's tenth single. Its music video was recorded in London by Sesan and features cameo appearances from

Wizkid Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), better known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is a blend of Afrobea ...

and the CEO Dancers. The wedding anthem "Obimo" was released on November 20, 2013, as the album's eleventh single. Patrick Elis directed the song's music video.

Critical reception

''D'Kings Men'' received mixed reviews from

Jon Caramanica Jon Caramanica (born 1975) is an American journalist and pop music critic who writes for ''The New York Times''. He is also known for writing about hip hop music. Biography Born in Brooklyn, New York, Caramanica received his bachelor's degree ...

of ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' described the album as "an alluring contemporary pop album with an emphasis on king-size dance music." Reviewing for ''

Nigerian Entertainment Today The Netng (Nigerian Entertainment Today) also known as ''NET'' is an online entertainment news organisation based in Lagos Lagos ( ; ), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. With an upper population estima ...

'', Ayomide Tayo granted the album 3.5 stars out of 5, acknowledging its inclusion of "strong pop songs hinged on D'banj's infectious personality and amazing instrumentals." TooXclusive's Ogaga Sakapide gave the album 3 stars out of 5, saying it "dives into the usual subjects of partying, love, wealth, fame and success". A writer for TayoTV rated the album 6.7 out of 10, calling it "average".

Track listing

Personnel

*Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo – primary artist *Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo – primary artist *Jason Lopez – primary artist *Olamide Adedeji – featured artist *luwadamilare Kulaja – featured artist *Kanye Omari West – featured artist *Sean Michael Anderson – featured artist *Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr – featured artist *Fally Ipupa N'Simba – featured artist *Ikechuckwu – featured artist *Michael Collins Ajereh – producer *Jay Sleek – producer *Dee Vee – producer *Classy Menace – producer

Release history

References

{{D'banj 2013 compilation albums D'banj albums Albums produced by Don Jazzy Yoruba-language albums Albums produced by Jay Sleek Record label compilation albums