Children outside wedlock could end your career – D’banj

• D’banj noted that the moral compass of today and the times when his generation of artists ruled differs greatly.
• He revealed that occasionally he had called his colleague 2Baba, who was the subject of controversy years ago for having children outside of marriage, to mockingly chastise him for not pushing him to follow in his footsteps.

Nigerian singer D’banj has shared his thoughts on the changing moral dynamics between his generation of musicians and the current crop of artists.

In a recent interview with The Beat FM in Lagos, the ‘Koko Master’ highlighted the difference between the moral standards of his time and the present day.

D’banj revealed that he often jokingly scolds his colleague 2Baba (2Face Idibia) for not encouraging him to have children outside of wedlock, a decision that would have been career-ending in his generation.

He noted that the music industry has evolved, and celebrities are now celebrated for having children out of wedlock, a far cry from the strict moral code of his time.

D’banj expressed a mix of emotions, acknowledging the changing times while emphasizing the importance of mental and financial preparedness for parenthood.

He stated:

“Our generation was so hard. If you had a child out of wedlock, your career could just end. But now everybody is just embracing it.

“I am angry. Sometimes I call 2Face to chide him for not encouraging me back then because it is something different when you now see them celebrating with their kids. They are in their 30s and their kids are teenagers

“But I think it goes beyond people, it goes to your state of mind: Are you mentally and financially ready? You don’t have to have everything in the world, if you’re ready to embrace what is coming to you, I think that is the best.”