Today, April 22, 2020, marks the 10th anniversary of the late Nigerian rapper Dagrin’s death. And while it might seem like Nigerians have moved on from the loss of the rising star, his memory keeps coming back to a lot of Nigerians who were touched by his music. 

Before he was involved in a ghastly accident on April 14 that claimed his life on the evening of April 22, Barrack O’grin as he was fondly called was on his way to becoming Nigeria’s finest rapper after many years of struggling to make a name for himself. Ten years ago when NET broke the news of his death, it only took minutes before the website crashed due to overwhelming traffic. Many hearts were broken after many prayers for his survival came to nothing over a period of eight days that he struggled for his life.

Born Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, on October 25, 1984, to Mr. and Mrs. Olaniyi Abolaji Olaonipekun, Dagrin began his life in Meiran, Alagbado area of Lagos. The Ogun native did not have a smooth childhood. A close friend had told NET in 2013 that he ran away from home at the age of 14 after a misunderstanding with his father. Having practically lived on the streets with friends while ‘hustling’, fortune finally smiled on him when his music career took off in his early twenties.

“The beginning was very rough, financially. As a poor boy that just appeared from nowhere, nobody believed in me. I’m a boy that has hustled in computer village, collected people’s phones and sold them to someone else. I’ve swindled people. Collected my mum’s money. I’ve done so many bad things. I used to be very bad, but music changed my life,” he said in an interview in 2010.

He released his debut album, ‘Still on the Matter’ in 2007 to lukewarm acceptance. His epiphany will only come two years later after meeting with Ola Badmus who helped him create his own label Misofunyin Entertainment under the management of Edlyne Records. With singles like ‘Pon pon pon’ and ‘Kondo’, Dagrin released his ‘C.E.O’ (Chief Executive Omota) album in 2009 critical acclaim. This established him as a force to be reckoned with. 

People took notice and he was catapulted to a towering figure among inner-city youths, especially in Lagos. Dagrin’s unrelenting effort to record music with Yoruba and pidgin English set him apart and inspired the likes of Olamide and Reminisce, who went on to record incredible successes, among many others who came after them.

From his humble beginnings to a flourishing music career, Dagrin validated the dreams of many young Nigerians struggling to escape poverty.

He became more than just a rapper and performer. He was the poster child for the grass to grace story of the unpolished and the nameless youths. He made every hustling Nigerian kid out there believe there was ‘hope’. As a result, many of them associated with him or preferably, his success.

But just as he was finally getting used to his new life of fortune and fame, tragedy struck. On April 14, 2010, The late rapper’s car, a Nissan Maxima 2008 model ran into a parked lorry in front of Alakara Police station, Mushin, leaving him with a fatal head injury. He spent eight days in the hospital before succumbing to the cold hands of death at the age of 25.

“I find his loss shocking and disappointing. It’s sad for the industry. Dagrin is irreplaceable,” Nigerian entertainment executive, Ayo Animashaun lamented.

“The Nigerian music industry lost a great legend and the fact that he made it should mean to anyone that is determined and has the zeal can make it too in life. RIP Dagrin, we’ll forever miss you,” his fellow rapper, M.I eulogized.

His song ‘If I die’ from the ‘C.E.O’ album left chills on many fans who believed that he almost knew he was going to die. The popular axiom that suggests that the most prophetic rappers die young seemed to be true with Dagrin, just like Tupac, who also died at the age of 25.

Despite the time that has now passed into a decade, many Nigerians will never forget Dagrin. He has remained evergreen in the minds of many, not just for his music, but for his authenticity and a daring demeanor that was as captivating as it was relatable.

Rest on, Barrack O’grin.

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