Dagrin, born on 21st October, 1987 as Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun. He was an Ogun born award-winning Nigerian rapper.
His ingenious style of rapping intertwined between Yoruba, English and Pidgin English languages for which he gained prominence before his sudden tragic death on the ill fated night of 22 April 2010. The accident that claimed his life occurred in the early hours of April 14, 2010. His car had a head-on collision with a stationary trailer (heavy-duty vehicle) in front of Alakara Police Station, off Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos. His car, Nissan Maxima, was a 2008 model and had the number plate, DAGRIN 03. He was 22 years old when he died in a car accident. Dagrin father’s speech at the candlelight procession was the same rap he did to the song which he featured in with YQ, titled ‘Efimile’.
He left a legacy that continues to make him one of the best rappers Nigeria ever had. In 2010, he was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Awards for in the categories of Best Album (C.E.O.), Hottest Single “Pon Pon Pon”, Best Rap Act and Best Collaboration with vocals. His album, C.E.O. (Chief Executive Omo-Ita) won the Hip hop World Award 2010 for the Best Rap Album. Going forward curls out the singles “Pon Pon Pon”, and “Kondo”. Dagrin worked with other great Nigerian artists in persons of Y.Q, 9ice, M.I, Iceberg Slim, Omobaba, Terry G, Code, MISTAR DOLLAR, TMD entertainment, Omawumi, Chuddy K, Bigiano, and Konga. He had a close working relationship with music producers like Sossick, Dr Frabz, Sheyman, Frenzy and 02.
A storyline of his life got scripted into a movie titled Ghetto Dreamz, which was starred with Trybson Dudukoko and Doris Simeon-Ademinokan as his girlfriend. Dagrin’s single “Pon Pon Pon” is said to be culturally significant, as it outrightly describes the life style in Lagos and many other parts of southwestern Nigeria where life in the slum places mix up with life in the affluent centres and other parts of Lagos Nigeria. His songs drop upon ethnicity and pride, while surviving the hustling streets of Lagos, and a dish of awkwardness elderly people cites against waywardness.
This short but mighty man will profoundly be remembered for his grass to grace preachings for hardwork and determination irrespective of the background. The legacy of Chief Executive Omo-Ita still lives on, though he is no more.
Dagrin lives !!!
