Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, also known as Dagrin (25 October 1984 – 22 April 2010), was a

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was derived from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jo ...

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backing ...

from Ogun, Nigeria. A film of his life entitled ''Ghetto Dreamz'' was produced in April 2011. He is recognized for paving the way for indigenous rap in Nigeria. He is widely considered one of the greatest Nigerian rappers of all time.

Early life

Olaonipekun's home was in Meiran, Alagbado, Lagos State.

Career

He released his first studio album Still On The Matter in 2006-07. 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. His album ''C.E.O.'' (Chief executive Omota ''English:'' Chief Executive Thug) won the Hip hop World Award 2010 for best rap album. 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, Hyce_age Terry G, Ms Chief, Owen G, K01, code, MISTAR DOLLAR, TMD entertainment,

Omawumi Omawumi Megbele (born 13 April 1982), known by her stage name Omawumi, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress of Itsekiri ethnicity. She is a brand ambassador for Globacom, Konga.com, and Malta Guinness. She's also part of the campaign ...

, Chudy K, Bigiano, and Konga. His third studio If I Die was released posthumously.

Legacy

Da Grin was cited as one of the pioneers of dialect rap singers of Yoruba and

Pidgin A pidgin , or pidgin language, is a grammatically simplified form of contact language that develops between two or more groups of people that do not have a language in common: typically, its vocabulary and grammar are limited and often drawn f ...

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

. Nigerian journalist, Idoko Salihu of

Premium Times ''Premium Times'' is a Nigerian online newspaper based in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The newspaper was launched in 2011. The online medium is notable for investigative journalism and reports, among other fields. Recognition * Nominated ...

, stated that "Da Grin was a rapper who revolutionised the Nigerian rap industry, he infused English with his native dialect". M.I. released "End of Time" tribute to Da Grin after the rapper's demise in 2010.'Nigerian All Stars' which included Sheyman, Ruggedman, Banky W, Omawunmi, Lord of Ajasa, Tony Tetuila and a host of others released "My Pain", a tribute to Da Grin after his death. Rapper Olamide released "Tribute to Dagrin" in 2011. Musicians who regard Da Grin as influence on their careers. Notable singers of this caliber include Olamide, CDQ, Reminisce, Oladips, YQ Nito-P etc.

''Ghetto Dreamz''

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.

Discography

* '' 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

Won

* 2010 Hip Hop World Awards – Best Rap Album

Nominated

*2010 Hip Hop World Awards – Artiste of the Year

Death

Olaonipekun had an accident on April 14, 2010 & died 8 days later at the age of 25 on 22 April 2010 in

Lagos Lagos ( ; ), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and on ...

, Nigeria.

References

External links

Interview about album Album reviewBiography

Ghetto Dreamz Trailer
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grin, Da Nigerian male rappers 21st-century male rappers 2010 deaths 1984 births Yoruba musicians People from Ogun State Road incident deaths in Nigeria