A POSTHUMOUS REMEMBRANCE OF DA’GRIN
Written by Max1023fm on October 27, 2021
Late Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun popularly known as Da Grin, Barack O’Grin, Lyrical Werre and Fi mi le jo was a famous indigenous rap artiste, Born 25 October 1987 in Ogun state. His prolific rap lyrics in Yoruba language won the hearts of everyone as he carved a niche for himself in spite of the presence of pioneer mother-tongue rappers like ‘Lord of Ajasa’.
Dagrin, aged 26, died at exactly 6 pm on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, LUTH and was buried on Friday, April 30, 2010, at the Ebony Millennium Private Vault, Atan Cemetery.
Da Grin had a great impact on Nigerian Hip hop music as he was one of the pioneers who started the fusion of our native language with the Hip Hop music.
He was a phenomenal rapper; his style of music made a huge impact in the music industry culturally.
Da Grin was the mouthpiece of the streets. His music mirrored the struggle of the average Lagos ghetto hustler trying to survive in a world of inequality. One of His songs Ghetto Dreamz laid emphasis on his dreams, hopes, and aspirations. He connected very well with the youths with his songs because he understood the struggles faced by the youth. Dagrin’s home was in Meiran, Alagbado, Lagos.
Here are some fun facts you might have missed about the late icon Da Grin
- In 2011, a movie was made about his life titled, ‘Ghetto dreamz’.
- Da Grin was an award-winning artist, he was nominated for the Nigerian entertainment awards for best album, called C.E.O (Chief Executive Omota), and he also won an award for best rap act and best collaboration with vocals, amongst many others.
- The fatal accident that claimed his life was a head-on collision with a stationary trailer (heavy-duty vehicles).
- Da Grin is one of the pioneers of dialect fusion in rap, fusing pidgin, Yoruba with English.
- Before his death, he released a song titled, “If I Die”. The song was like almost a foreseen incident, it was too good of a coincidence.
- The late rapper had three nominations at the coming Hip Hop World Awards. His parents were reportedly both absent at his burial.
- Dagrin’s mother, Mrs. Olaonipekun was the second of his father’s three wives.
- He had two albums to his credit, titled: Still on the matter and Chief Executive Omoita.
- He got the nickname, Barack O’Grin from the remix song he did with General Pype
- Dagrin was signed to his own label, ‘Missofunyin Entertainment’ but managed by Edlyne Records.
- He died eight days after the accident. Doctors at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, LUTH said he survived nine attacks before he finally gave up the ghost during the 10th.
Here are DaGrin’s Top 50 Songs
- If I Die
- Omoge
- Efimile feat YQ
- Kondo
- Jump Up
- Pon Pon Pon (Instrumental)
- pon pon pon
- 9ice vs Dagrin
- Kondo (Magic Stick)
- Everyday
- Gboro
- Sisi Eko
- Thank God Feat Omawumi
- Ghetto Dreams
- Make Doe
- What They Want
- Hola Hola
- Gbabe
- Thank God ft Omawunmi
- Swag (File)
- My Pain (Part 1) ft. Sheyman. Reminise, Durel
- NLA
- Iwofa
- Ghetto Dream
- Mo ti gboro
- Da Grin – If I Die
- Gboro ft Isolate
- Kondo(magic Stick)
- raprules anthem
- Mo ti gboro ft. Isolate
- Swag
- Idi Nla
- Molenu Mix
- Dagrin on Jump Off
- Everyday ft Ejay
- Gidilounge Music Player
- My Pain (Part 2) ft. Dude Tetsola, Waje, Bigi
- Thank God ft. Omawumi
- Nii 94
- Hustling skit
- Kekere
- Hola Hola ft Tfrizzle
- E E soro
- Da grin FT. Omawumi- Thank God
- If Him Die
- Democracy
- Bigiano ft Dagrin (Iwofa)
- Sturvs / Naija Music
- Lala
- Be my friend