Stingomania (April 2010)
Starring Trybson Dudukoko, Gabriel Afolayan, Jaywon, Kayode Odumosu, Rachael Oniga and Doris Simeon
This Dagrin biopic begins what may
become a new filmmaking trend in Nigeria. It explored a genre that is
well-defined in other countries but new to the Nigerian movie front.
Without a prior work to test the
viability and profitability of the genre within the Nigerian
movie-consuming populace, Stingomania braved telling the story of the
life and times of an acclaimed rapper whose success was arguably
escalated by his death.
‘Ghetto Dreamz’ chronicles the adult
life of Oladapo Olaonipekun popularly known as Dagrin. Released exactly
on his first year memorial, it tells of his life before stardom, his
fight to pursue his passion in the face of parental pressure to get a
formal education, as well as his dogged approach to making his own kind
of music.
The misses
Apart from a commendable exposé on the
love life of the late rapper, the movie virtually revealed nothing new
about Dagrin. Ghetto Dreamz was so straightforward that had it not been
a biopic about an acclaimed rapper, it would have been a flat movie.
More unknown facts should have been uncovered to give the movie some
dynamism once the producers made up their mind to stick only with facts.
Also, the overt inclusion of the late
rapper’s father in the making of the movie ensured that the older Mr
Olaonipekun was portrayed as a perfect man heading a perfect family,
with Dagrin as the ‘black sheep’. More so, the portrayal of Dagrin as
the black sheep also fell short after his vices were deemed to have
been done with good intentions. He is also made out to be a super human
who not once appeared frustrated at having his dream criticised harshly.
The hits
‘Ghetto Dreamz’ carefully tells the
rapper’s entire story, eschewing fiction as much as possible without
stretching any subject, save for the lead character’s persistence. The
director Daniel Ademinokan also ensures that other themes, including
romance and absolute friendship, are played out in the narrative
without taking the focus away from the resolute nature of Dagrin.
Also in the lead cast, Trybson and his
supporting sidekick, Gabriel Afolayan, did well. While Trybson did a
good job of reprising Dagrin’s mannerisms and catchphrases, Afolayan
introduced viewers to an entirely new character. His portrayal of an
ever-supportive and highly optimistic friend is commendable. Every now
and then, his character’s demeanour as well as his overly optimistic
persona shortly steals the spotlight away from the lead character,
adding a little more dimension and comedy to the tragic story. It was a
brilliant outing for Afolayan.
Another plus for the makers of ‘Ghetto
Dreamz’ is the inclusion of extracts from the Dagrin candlelight walk
and burial rites alternating with scenes of the late rapper performing
at a gig.
This part of the movie will definitely evoke emotions and leave a couple of people misty-eyed.
Grade: C4
