20 years on stage: D’banj rekindles his ‘swagger’ at Fela’s Shrine

“Nobody can take it away from him. D’banj is indeed a performer any day. And his peculiar dance steps and uncommon stage presence have remained iconic over the years. ”                                                               That was how those who thronged the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos, last Tuesday, for the Koko Master’s free concert in celebration of his 20 years on stage summed up his electrifying performance on the night.

D’banj hasn’t performed to a large crowd for a long time. But Tuesday night’s outing rejuvenated the Koko Master’s dwindling career as well as cemented his place in the country’s music scene as an entertainer par excellence, whose stage presence is undeniably second to none.

The concert, sponsored by the Temple Company owned by Idris Olorunnimbe, was part of the celebrations to mark his 20 years of musical excellence in the entertainment industry and his teeming fans including revellers turned out in their numbers to celebrate with their musical idol. This celebration was a testament to D’banj’s impactful contribution to the growth of Afrobeats and the global music scene.

On the night, the Koko Master was on fire, proving to everyone that he’s never old when it comes to the dance he knows. While the Shrine was filled to the brim, the “Oliver Twist’ crooner was the ghost of the night, appearing in his signature dress and ball of fire to set the tunes for the night.

The atmosphere at the Afrika Shrine was charged immediately D’banj climbed the stage at about 11pm, taking the audience through his unforgettable musical journey. He performed some of his chart-buster songs which left the audience in awe, including “O Gbono Feli Feli’ which was the opener for his 2008 third studio album ‘Entertainer’, “Suddenly”, “Top of the World”, ‘Give to Me’, “Emergence,” a track from his fourth studio album “King Don Come” which he released in 2017. And when he performed “Fall in Love ”, which featured star actress Genevieve Nnaji, the whole place erupted with applause, as the audience sang along with him, while some took to the floor to showcase their dance steps.

The highlight of the night was when Made Kuti joined the 43-year-old performer on stage for a joint performance that resonated with the audience. The night, which had in attendance some big names in the industry, also witnessed an excellent performance from Peruzzi and some rising music acts who showcased their rare talents on the night.

Interestingly, it was a night that D’banj reclaimed his spot as a show stopper and one who could hardly be ignored in the Nigerian music scene. His fans described him as the African Michael Jackson, just as the superstar saw himself as an entertainer, with confidence that continued to power him through doors.