Entertainment

Dagrin’s ‘Pon Pon Pon’ Gets GRAMMY Honour 15 Years After His Passing

Published

10 months ago

July 27, 2025

15 years after his death, the legacy of Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, popularly known as Dagrin, continues to blaze a trail through Nigerian music history.

The Recording Academy, body behind the GRAMMY Awards, has named his breakout hit “Pon Pon Pon” among the top 10 songs shaping the evolution of Afrobeats globally.

This distinction elevates “Pon Pon Pon” as the only rap song on the list, affirming what fans and music historians have long known: Dagrin’s 2009 street anthem was not just a hit, but a seismic shift that redefined the landscape of Nigerian music.

From gritty beats to raw Yoruba lyricism, the track remains a cultural timestamp, capturing the chaos, vibrancy, and rhythm of Lagos life with unmatched precision.

“Pon Pon Pon” introduced a generation to the authenticity of indigenous rap. At a time when the Nigerian mainstream was dominated by pop melodies and foreign influences, Dagrin forced the industry to reckon with the language and reality of the streets.

His embrace of Yoruba slang and storytelling became a blueprint for future stars who now dominate Afrobeats and Nigerian hip-hop.

Beyond the music itself, the journey to preserve Dagrin’s legacy has involved extensive behind-the-scenes work—most notably by Digital Music Commerce and Exchange Limited (DMCE), a full-service rights management and music licensing company.

Under the leadership of General Manager Ezekiel Olayinka, DMCE has been instrumental in reclaiming and protecting Dagrin’s musical catalog from years of exploitation and mismanagement.

After his death in April 2010, Dagrin’s intellectual property was scattered and largely unmanaged. DMCE stepped in, obtained a letter of administration from the Lagos State Probate Registry, and worked closely with the rapper’s family to ensure proper ownership and legal control over his body of work. In less than a year, the company secured the rights, cleaned up unauthorized usage, and began to rebuild the foundation for his posthumous musical legacy.

Taking this effort a step further, DMCE brokered a strategic partnership between Dagrin’s estate and Sony Music Publishing Nigeria—one of the world’s biggest music publishing entities.

This milestone deal not only reintroduced Dagrin to the international music ecosystem but also underscored the global relevance of his art.

In August 2024, Sony Music Publishing Nigeria hosted the “Legend Sampling Camp,” a pioneering creative event that brought top producers and artists together to reimagine the works of Nigerian legends.

Alongside Dagrin’s music, samples from Fuji icons K1 De Ultimate, King Dr. Saheed Osupa, and the Late Chief Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister (MFR) were reinterpreted. All these musical estates are represented by DMCE, signifying a broader mission to protect and celebrate indigenous sonic heritage.

While The Recording Academy’s recent accolade shines a global spotlight on Dagrin’s contribution to Afrobeats, it is the tireless work of stakeholders like DMCE and his family that ensures his voice remains heard.

Their commitment has ensured that “Pon Pon Pon” is not just a relic of the past, but a living influence—still sampled, streamed, and celebrated by a new generation.

Dagrin’s music endures because it resonates deeply with Nigeria’s heartbeat—the hustle, the hope, and the harsh truths. The GRAMMY nod affirms his pioneering status, but it is the sustained cultural relevance of “Pon Pon Pon” that crowns him the undisputed king of Afro-Street Rap.
(TRIBUNE)

Entertainment

How I Spent N340 Million On Weed In Six Years– Ice Prince

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Nigerian singer and rapper, Ice Prince Zamani, has revealed that before quitting smoking, it was draining him financially.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Black Box podcast, the ‘Aboki’ crooner disclosed that between 2020 and 2026, he spent N340 million on weed from just one dealer.

He explained that the figure does not include other suppliers of his in Abuja, Jos, Ghana and London.

“From 2020 to 2026, I have spent N340 million on weed from just one dealer alone, not to even mention my other dealers from Abuja, Ghana, Jos, and London. This is just one dealer, who lives close to me in Lagos,” he stated.

Ice Prince said he quit smoking and alcohol during his weight loss journey and self-discovery process.

He also revealed that he has been celibate for some time now.

Entertainment

‘I Have Lost Interest In Getting Married’ – Regina Daniels

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels said she is no longer interested in marriage after her messy separation from her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

The mother of two, however, said she is still much interested in having more children, vowing that she must have a daughter.

Speaking during a recent livestream with Tiktoker Jarvis, Daniels explained that she wants to her a daughter because she believes daughters care more for their parents during old age.

“I want to have six children and I have two already, two boys. It so crazy but for some reason I have checked my mind out from getting married. But I am going to have a girl and I must have a girl.

“Men will grow, get married and and focus more on building family. But for women she will always remember home,” she added.

Regina Daniels and her estranged husband, Ned Nwoko, got married in 2019, sparking public outrage due to 40-year age gap between the actress, who was only 19 then, and the billionaire politician.

They share two children; all boys.

In late 2025, their marriage hit a highly public crisis following allegations by Nwoko that the actress was struggling with drug and alcohol abuse and requiring rehabilitation.

Regina Daniels swiftly debunked the allegations and accused Nwoko of manipulation, psychological control, and abuse.

Shortly after, she walked away from the marriage and moved into her own house.

Ever since, she has maintained that she is now single.

Entertainment

Cubana Chief Priest Opens Up On Feud With Burna Boy

Published

7 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Nigerian entrepreneur and socialite, Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, has opened up on his fallout with singer Burna Boy, alleging that the music star publicly attacked him because of his close relationship with Davido.

Speaking during an interview on The Beat 99.9 FM on Wednesday, Cubana Chief Priest said his journey to success began from apprenticeship and years of hard work, adding that fame and financial growth often attract envy and criticism.

“Success comes with a lot of hate. I started my journey from apprenticeship and service and I learnt so much about growth and perseverance. When you start becoming successful, you understand how people treat you.

“I was on my own and Burna Boy came for me, went on his big platform and started tweeting things that are not genuine, things that are not possible, things that have not existed and the attack was straight to my wealth.

“So he wanted to make people look at my wealth, disrespect my wealth, I felt bad and that happened because of my relationship with Davido,” he said.

He further stated that Davido has consistently supported his businesses and personal projects.

“David is always there for me. He opened all my nightclubs, restaurants, everything. He always shows up to support me.

“He’s investing in clubs in Lagos, and I’m making music to prove a point that I can,” he added.