Da Grin

Nigerian rapper (1984-2010)

DaGrin

Background information
Birth name| Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun
Also known as| Barack O'Grin, Lyrical Werre, Fi mi le Jo.
Born| (1984-10-25)25 October 1984
Ogun State, Nigeria
Origin| Ogun, Nigeria
Died| 22 April 2010(2010-04-22) (aged 25)
Mushin, Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres| Hip hop
Occupation(s)| Rapper, singer
Instrument(s)| Vocal, piano
Years active| 1994–2010
Labels| Misofunyin Entertainment

Musical artist

Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun,[1] also known as Dagrin (25 October 1984 – 22 April 2010), was a Nigerian rapper from Ogun, Nigeria.[2] A film of his life entitled Ghetto Dreamz was released in April 2011.[3][4]

## Early life[edit]

Olaonipekun's home was in Meiran, Alagbado, Ogun State.[5]

## Career[edit]

He released his first studio album ‘Still On The Matter’. 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.[6] His album C.E.O. (Chief executive Omota English: Chief Executive Thug) won the Hip hop World Award 2010 for best rap album.[7] 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. [8]

## Legacy[edit]

Da Grin was cited as one of the pioneers of dialect rap singers of Yoruba language 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".[9]

## Ghetto Dreamz[edit]

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.[10]

## Discography[edit]

* 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[edit]

### Won[edit]

* 2010 Hip Hop World Awards – Best Rap Album

### Nominated[edit]

* 2010 Hip Hop World Awards – Artiste of the Year

## Death[edit]

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, Nigeria.[1]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "A shining star dimmed too soon – Rising Nigerian Musician DaGrin has passed away". Bella Naija. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
2. ^ "Dagrin: The Life of an Artiste". Nationaldailyngr.com. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
3. ^ izuzu, chibumga (21 April 2017). "A biopic that fails to capture a rapper's life". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
4. ^ BellaNaija.com (9 March 2011). "BN Bytes: Trailer & Posters for "Ghetto Dreamz" – The Da Grin Biopic". BellaNaija. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
5. ^ "Get Heard within Our Artist Community | Slaps powered by DistroKid". Slaps. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
6. ^ "NEA Awards 2010 Nominees – Da Grin & Omawumi Shine". Jaguda.com. 9 July 2010. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
7. ^ "Hip-Hop World Awards 2010 Winners". Jaguda.com. 30 May 2010. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
8. ^ "Download mp3 Dagrin – If I Die". Naijgreen.com. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
9. ^ "Da Grin: Remembering a rap legend decade after death". 22 April 2020.
10. ^ "BN Bytes: Trailer & Posters for "Ghetto Dreamz" – The Da Grin Biopic". Bella Naija. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.

## External links[edit]

* Interview about album
* Album review
* Biography Archived 16 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine
* Ghetto Dreamz Trailer

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