Exactly a year ago, fast-rising rapper
Olaitan Olaonipekun, popularly known as Dagrin, transformed from a
wordsmith into a Nigerian hip-hop legend. Although his music, which was
characterized mainly by the deft use of words in his native tongue
infused with unadulterated hip-hop elements, was gaining momentum just
before his death, just like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Dagrin got bigger in
death. The buzz created by the news of his passing drew the attention
of many who rarely pay attention to rap music and got them professing
respect for his uncommon talent. They inevitably became fans.
With just two
official works to his name – the unpopular ‘Still on the Matter’,
released in 2006, and the 2009 release, ‘Chief Executive Omoita
(C.E.O)’, which propelled him into the limelight – it definitely had to
be more than music that gave the 26-year-old cult hero status in death.
A lot of emphasis was made on his music immediately after he passed and
he won a couple of posthumous awards and recognitions; however, stories
of his hustle and dogged lifestyle have presently taken to the fore.
His story
In mid-2010, the
management of Stingomania Records announced that a biopic would be made
to tell the story of the late rapper. Staying true to their word, the
movie ‘Ghetto Dreamz’ premieres today.
The lead character,
Trybson, a Stingomania hip-hop artist, revealed that the movie was
conceived to tell an inspiring story of Dagrin’s lifestyle.
“We want to tell
the whole world the plights of young musicians by showing what Dagrin
went through in his daily life to make sure his dream becomes a
reality,” Trybson said about the movie.
Different stories
have emerged about the kind of life he lived in his time. A lot of
those stories hinges on the vices he perpetuated, some which he
actually confessed to. However, another striking thing about his life
was his enviable faithfulness to his passion for making music. Even
when he was getting involved in internet scams and other vices, he kept
his dream alive and worked towards achieving it. In an interview with
X2 before he passed, he revealed he met with disapproval from his
father, harsh criticism on his debut album for his style, and also had
to deal with fending for himself by taking up menial jobs while working
on his sophomore album. He eventually soared over all these to turn a
rejected style of music into one with ‘popular demand’. So it came as
no surprise when he turned out to be one of the most sought-after acts
after his second album dropped, appearing as a guest act on many
artists’ work.
Bigger but broke
Although it appeared as thought the rapper was reaping financial gains
for his hard work, as professed in many of his lines, it is surprising
that these works have failed to garner returns after his death. Aderele
Adeborioye, a legal adviser who currently oversees the Dagrin estate
instituted by his father, revealed that not a penny has been remitted
since Dagrin died.
“As we speak we
have not received any form of royalty from anybody,” Adeborioye said.
He however confessed to not having demanded for these royalties legally
from the concerned persons because “the legal backing is yet to be
issued by the court.”
Ayeni Adekunle, a
Lagos-based entertainment entrepreneur, thinks, even with a legal
backing, chasing after these royalties can turn out futile. He opined
that the lack of a respected and working structure for collecting
royalties, as well as the informal way most of these collaborations are
contracted, will prove a big hindrance to this quest.
“The structure for
paying royalty isn’t available in Nigeria; most people who feature on
other people’s tracks do so as a form of support for colleagues as well
as getting themselves some form of relevance. So when someone dies it
often is effort lost because there is no gain for him. It is difficult
to control because as it is, even though the fight for royalty is on,
most media houses are yet to start paying royalties. And most of this
works are not properly documented so it is difficult to fight for such
royalties in the case of an artist’s death,” said Ayeni, who publishes
the NET Newspaper.
Plying without
structure
Corroborating Adekunle’s beliefs, award-winning rapper Terry
Tha Rapman, who featured on Cartiair’s acclaimed ‘Owo Ati Swagger’ with
Dagrin, revealed that he has not received a penny for the project even
though it turned out to be a big song.
“I did it for free
for Cartiar who is my friend but I have no idea what his dealing with
Dagrin was,” The Hip-Hop World award winner said.
He also explained
that artists do not usually seek royalties from music they feature on
because an instant payoff tends to be negotiated.
“Usually, what is
obtained in the society is what the artist pays you to feature on his
track and that is it. If the songs get bigger and requires a video,
subsequent charges is demanded, at least that’s what I do. You also
reserve the right to perform your part at shows while he too can go to
shows and perform his own part,” the rapper, whose real name is Terry
Madaki, explained.
Erstwhile Storm
Records singer GT Tha Guitarman, who also featured alongside Dagrin on
the viral remix to General Pype’s ‘Champion’, also said he has gotten
nothing from the track. Management of the record label also confirmed
that royalties have not been paid to any of the artists on the track
because the song has not been released commercially.
“Artists haven’t
received any form of royalty because the song hasn’t been released yet,
it was just a viral push. You can check anywhere; the song is not being
sold. For Dagrin, we have a relationship with his label and when the
song comes out, we will get across to them,” Tola Odunsi, a Storm
Records director, said.
A true legend
Even
though the Dagrin estate sadly remains as broke as if it never existed,
today a lot of people immortalise the memory of this rapper, who
impacted Nigeria’s mainstream music in a rare way. Social networks buzz
with memorial tweets and messages from fans and colleagues alike. His
style of music has been adopted by many and others have been inspired
by his ‘never say die’ approach to achieving his dream. Many of his
colleagues confess to having benefited from collaborating with him
while he was alive and a biopic has now been made in his name. Dagrin
really is the C.E.O. who breathed freshness into Nigerian hip-hop. His
memory lives on!
ONE YEAR AGO:
Requiem For A Lyrical Street-Child Dapo Olaitan Olaonipekun: 1983 – April 22, 2010
