On April 22, 2010, nine years ago today, famous Nigerian indigenous rapper, Olaitan Olaonipekun, profoundly called ‘Dagrin’ was declared dead at the age of 22 years.
Dagrin before he met his untimely death, created one of the most respected legacies (till date, may be) and collaborated with virtually all top industry musicians, including 9ice, M.I, Terry G, Omawumi, Chudy K, Bigiano, and Konga.
Arguably, all Dagrin’s songs during his reign were hits, while most of his songs still ring bells till date. With highly successful tracks like ‘Pon Pon Pon’, ‘If I Die’, ‘Kondo’, ‘Ghetto Dreams ’, ‘Idi Nla’, ‘Ee Soro’ and the list continues, he paved ways for the likes of Olamide, Reminisce and other ‘Yoruba Rappers’ in the music industry today.
As a matter of fact, DaGrin gave more confidence to indigenous rap music in Nigeria – he made rappers embrace their dialects during his short-lived career.
Today, which marks the 9th anniversary of Dagrin, A.K.A ‘Barack O’Grin’ and ‘Lyrical Werey’s death, can we say his legacy still lives on. However, many have argued that another artiste, well respected indeed, have taken over and overthrown his legacy. This is no other person, but, Olamide Adedeji, famously called ‘Olamide Badoo’.
Olamide has been said to have stabilized the Yoruba rap music with his consistency, force and YBNL movement that have also produced and gave wings to many young Yoruba rappers to fly in the industry.
It is important to know that shortly after Olamide’s ‘Eni Duro’ track was released and gathering momentum, Dagrin passed away, despite this, Olamide admitted Dagrin paved way for him.
“He paved way for people like me, as well as Lord of Ajasa. Lord of Ajasa paved the way for people like me, Idris Abdulkareem, the likes of AY, Junior & Pretty. It’s a movement, it has to keep going on. Every now and then, every new set of artistes that come out, they have to pave the way for a new generation.” Olamide said.
In Nigeria today, Olamide remains the most featured and most consistent Yoruba rap artiste with several hits, without even counting his multiple awards.
Listing a few of Olamide’s big songs, we have, ‘Durosoke’, ‘Goons mi’, ‘Sitting on the throne’, ‘Ilefo Illuminati ’, ‘Anifowose’, ‘Eleda Mi O’, ‘Eni Duro’, ‘Who You Epp’, ‘Abule Sowo’, ‘Falila Ketan’, ‘(Shakiti) Bobo’, ‘Wo!’, ‘See Mary See Jesus’, ‘Melo Melo’, ‘Kana’ and many others, we have to agree that Olamide is legendary and deserves some accolades.
With all these tracks and how Olamide has inspired the likes of Lil Kesh, Chinko Ekun, Viktoh and others, can we say Badoo has dethroned Dagrin’s legacy or he has rebuilt it?