Dagrin: 7 Years Down The Lane, The Game Has Never Been The Same

The Nigerian hip hop industry won’t be in a haste to forget Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun widely known as Dagrin. The hip hop legend who met his demise, April 22, 2010 (exactly seven years) in a ghastly auto-accident, brought a vast change to the hip hop local scene – what we now celebrate as indigenous rap.

Local rap in Nigeria had been since inception of hiphop itself in this region. Lord of Ajasa, Rasqie, Jazzman Olofin took control in the late 90s to early 2000s. They were equally embraced same way as other Nigerian English rappers. However, the slope started dwindling in around 2005 till Dagrin struck a remarkable curve in 2009.

Dagrin’s evolvement came striving with the likes of MI, Naeto C and few other rappers who were at the top notch of the game as at that time. He was able to breakeven and proved the profitablity of local rap. His C.E.O (Chief Executive Omota) album was off the hook. The first major breakthrough indigenous rap album with great hits that are still banging anyday, anytime.

It could be said that Olamide, Reminisce and others borrowed a leaf from his success story to actually pave their own way. But the truth be told, the sound has never been the same. The so-called indigenous rap that we celebrate today is so weak and diluted. They are keeping it up but not keeping it real.

There is a particular song that expresses how much the industry has let Dagrin down. The track by Ola Dips titled “Let Dagrin Down” produced by Sossick.

Watch one of Dagrin’s last performances at Kennis Music Fiesta

A post shared by Videowheels (@videowheels) on Apr 22, 2017 at 4:41am PDT