D’Banj launches new album, NGO

Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo aka D’Banj

To show and prove he's an entertainer on top of his game, the UN appointed first Nigerian Youth Ambassador For Peace, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo aka D'Banj, is set to launch his third solo album.

Titled 'The Entertainer' the 10-track CD contains tracks like “Suddenly” “Gbelo Gbebo,” “If You Dey Craze” and it features his younger brother cum label mate, Kayswitch (real name Kehinde Oyebanjo).

Other tracks include “Olorun Maaje (God Forbid)”, “D'Banj Abiala (Igwe)” rendered in Igbo and pidgin English, “Feel Good” featuring Wande Coal, “Fall In Love” featuring Yemi Sax on solo sax, “Mogbona Feli Feli (I'm Hot!)”, “Cmon”, and “Entertainer.”

Like his two previously-released debut and sophomore albums 'No Long Thing' and 'Run Down' ,(Funk U Up), the gifted Don Jazzy produced all the tracks and they were mixed and mastered in the UK.

The Entertainer has all the trappings of producing hits as each track on the album is gripping. Its vintage D'Jbanj times three with the usual universal flavours of Afrobeat, highlife, reggae, funk, dancehall, R&B, hip hop, techno, jazz, be-bop, do-wop, and of course, the koko all married into it.

Speaking about the album, D'Banj points out, “I tried not to remind my listeners of the high level of unemployment, poverty, disease, electricity outage including the pains and all the troubles in this world.

The concept is to keep it live and happy. All the songs are my personal experiences and journey through life. I hope to touch everyone with this album and I pray the people find it worthwhile.”

As a social-conscious entertainer, he's also using the new album launch to flag off his non-governmental organization (NGO)called Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development (KOFYPED). Koko Foundation is designed as an outreach to the less privileged in the society.

Meanwhile the fast-approaching high profile event cum concert slated for July 26th is to loudly announce The Entertainer and the Koko Foundation that have already gainfully employed 50 ICT youths.

And to put bites to his peace seeking efforts, D'Banj in the last few months, has embarked on a Peace Talk and Peace Walk in the violence-torn Niger Delta region.

He has visited the disabled, schools and orphanage homes in some parts of the country including Port-Harcourt, Abuja, and the school for Special (disabled) Children in Abeokuta and the Stephen Centre in Obantako, Abeokuta in Ogun State. He has donated educational and welfare materials including food stuff, and in some cases, cash.

For him, “It's an ongoing project, my way of giving back to the communities. You know, my parents always told me that the best exercise for me to do every day is, to bend myself backward and reach down and lift somebody up and with the Koko Foundation I plan to do more of that”

Meanwhile, the album launch concert promises an explosive performance from D'Banj and it will also feature notable star acts in music and comedy. The date for the 2-in-l launch is Saturday, July 26, 2008. Venue is the prestigious Expo Centre of Oceanview Restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos.