konknaijaboy | On 15, Apr 2013

It’s been three years since Da Grin (real name, Olaitan Olanipekun) passed on, but the rapper remains relevant as far as Nigerian music, especially the Yoruba rap scene is concerned.

And in making sure that the memory of the late rapper stays fresh on the minds of his fans, Kosofe Entertainment has concluded plans to release,‘Blood Money – The Mixtape on the  22nd  of  April.

The 11-track record will be mostly produced by close friend and associate of the late rapper, SoSick. It will also feature a special documentary with never-before-seen clips about DaGrin.

Fans should also expect new and unheard material (and also samples of his previous works) on the mixtape.

Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, also known as Dagrin (21 October 1987 – 22 April 2010), was an award winning Nigerian rapper from Ogun, Nigeria. A film of his life entitled Ghetto Dreamz was released in April 2011.

Dagrin’s home was in Meiran, Alagbado, Lagos. His style of rapping incorporated Yoruba, English and Pidgin English. In 2010 he was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Awards for Best Album (C.E.O.), Hottest Single “Kondo”, Best Rap Act and Best Collaboration with vocals. His album C.E.O. (Chief executive Omota English: Chief Executive Gangster) 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, Bigiano and Konga. He associated with music producers like Sossick, Dr Frabz, Sheyman, and Frenzy.

Dagrin’s single “Pon Pon Pon” has some cultural significance, it talks about the life style in Lagos, Agege,Ifewara Mushin, Ikeja, Surulere, Isale Eko, and many other parts of south western Nigeria where life in the slums mixes up with life in the affluent cities and parts of Lagos Nigeria.

His songs touch upon ethnicity, pride, while surviving the streets of Lagos and a hint of criticism elderly people hurls against bad behaviour.

The music video proudly displays young people in their twenties and early thirties proudly displaying their tribal marks in retrospect of the old Yoruba empire of Ile-Ife.

He died at the age of 22 on 22 April 2010 after a vehicle accident in Lagos, Nigeria.

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.

Background information

Birth name: Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun
Also known as: Barack ‘O Grin
Born: October 21, 1987
Origin: Ogun, Nigeria
Genres: Hip hop
Occupations: Rapper, Singer
Instruments: Vocal, Piano
Years active: 1994–2010
Labels: Misofunyin Entertainment
Associated acts: M.I, 9ice, Konga, Omawunmi, Rugged Man, Kode, ORITSE FEMI

Source: Vanguard, Wikipedia