D'Kings Men

D'Kings Men
Compilation album by DB Records
Released June 24, 2013
Recorded 2012-2013
Genre Afrobeat, afropop, hip hop
Length 71:54
Label DB Records, Sony Music, Good Music
Producer Don Jazzy, Dee Vee, Jay Sleek
D'banj chronology
The Entertainer
(2008)		 D'Kings Men
(2012)
Singles from D'Kings Men
  1. "Oliver Twist"
    Released: May 11, 2012
  2. "Sister Caro"
    Released: June 9, 2012 [1]
  3. "Oyato"
    Released: July 14, 2012
  4. "Bachelor"
    Released: November 10, 2012 [2]
  5. "Top of the World"
    Released: December 13, 2012[3]
  6. "Cashflow"
    Released: December 21, 2012 [4]
  7. "Don't Tell Me Nonsense"
    Released: March 30, 2013 [5]
  8. "For Example"
    Released: March 30, 2013 [6]
  9. "Why You Love Me"
    Released: April 21, 2013[7]
  10. "Finally"
    Released: June 20, 2013 [8]
  11. "Obimo (My Heart)"
    Released: November 20, 2013

D'Kings Men is a compilation album by recording artists of Nigerian record label DB Records, released on June 24, 2013 by the label and Sony Music.[9][10] Nigerian recording artist D'banj started working on the album prior to splitting with his longtime business partner, Don Jazzy. The album produced eleven singles—"Oliver Twist", "Sister Caro", "Oyato", "Bachelor", "Top of the World", "Cashflow", "Don't Tell Me Nonsense", "For Example", "Finally", "Why You Love Me" and "Obimo (My Heart)". Production on the album was handled by Don Jazzy,[11] Jay Sleek[12] and Dee Vee.[13] The album features guest appearances from Kanye West, Big Sean, Snoop Lion, Fally Ipupa, Durella, Olamide, Ikechukwu and Naeto C.[14] Upon its release, D'Kings Men received mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics felt that the album failed to live up to the extensive publicity and recognition it gained. Moreover, critics complained about the album's rodomontading lyrics and derivative sound.

Background and recording

D'banj founded the DB Records label in 2012 after the aforementioned split. Since the label's inception, multiple acts have signed to the label including Kayswitch, J.Sol, Jay Sleek, Durella and Fear Dee Vee.[15][16]

During an interview with Seun Apara, D'banj was asked to give an exclusive insight into the album. His response was: "The 'DKM' Album, D Kings Men is a compilation of songs from the artistes on DB Records and is not a D’ Banj’s Album. It has a compilation of songs and sounds done by DB records artistes comprising myself, Kay Switch and J.Sol."[17]

D'banj also told Seun Apara that Don Jazzy produced four songs on the album. In an attempt to suppress piracy, the album was delivered to customers who pre-ordered it from D'banj's official website. It was also made available for purchase at all GT Bank offices in Nigeria.[17]

Release

A man's head and shoulders are shown
A man is rocking a jeans outfit
A man holding a mic and wearing white shirt and sunglasses
American rappers Kanye West, Big Sean, and Snoop Dogg were among the international acts featured on the album.

D'Kings Men was made available on iTunes a day after the DKM concert, which was held at the Eko Hotels & Suites on June 23, 2013 in Victoria Island, Lagos. The concert was headlined by the Kokomaster and 2 Chainz; it featured additional performances from Kay Switch, Phyno, Olamide, Mafikizolo, Fally Ipupa, and Naeto C. AY Makun, Kenya Moore, Toolz, Lynxxx, Efya, Fade Ogunro, Timaya, Juliet Ibrahim, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and Susan Peters were all present at the event.[18]

Singles

On May 11, 2012, D'Banj released the first single "Oliver Twist". The music video for the single was directed by Sesan. Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean, and Manny Fresh made cameo appearances in the music video.[19] "Sister Caro", which features D'banj, was released as the second single on June 9, 2012; the music video for the song was shot in Lagos, Nigeria.

On July 14, 2012, DB Records released the third single "Oyato" which serves as Kokomaster's first official single in the post-Mo’Hits era. On November 10, 2012, D'banj released the fourth single "Bachelor". The music video for the single was primarily directed by Sesan in Atlanta, Georgia.[20]

On December 13, 2012, DB Records and Sony Music Entertainment Africa released the fifth single "Top of the World". The song was the official SuperSport anthem for the 2013 African Nations Cup.[21] The music video for the single was shot in South Africa, and features D’banj singing the song into a forest of mics while performing alongside a dreadlocked guitarist and rock drummer.[22]

On December 21, 2012, Sony Music Africa released the sixth single "Cashflow" featuring Kayswitch; the music video for the song was also directed by Sesan.[23]

On March 30, 2013, DB Records released the seventh single "Don't Tell Me Nonsense". The music video for "Don't Tell Me Nonsense" was shot in Lagos by Matt Max, and features helicopters, smoke bombs and an army of dancers.[24][25][26] "For Example" was released as the eighth single on March 30, 2013. The music video for the single, directed by Matt Max, was shot in Mende village, Lagos. Durella made a cameo appearance in the video.[27][28]

"Why You Love Me" is the ninth single from the album, released on April 21, 2013.[29] The music video, directed by Godfather Productions, was uploaded onto YouTube on December 13, 2013 at a total length of 3 minutes and 25 seconds.[30][31] On June 20, 2013, D'banj released the album's tenth single titled "Finally". The music video for the song was shot and directed in London by Sesan. Wizkid and the CEO Dancers made cameo appearances in the music video.[32][33]

"Obimo" is a song by Kayswtich featuring D'banj, released as the eleventh single from the album. The music video for "Obimo", directed by Patrick Elis, was released on November 20, 2013. In a nutshell, the song is a wedding anthem.[34][35][36]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
TAYOTV[37]
tooXclusive[38]
Nigerian Entertainment Today[39]

Upon its release, D'Kings Men was met with mixed reviews from music critics. Jon Caramanica of The New York Times said that "it’s an alluring contemporary pop album with an emphasis on king-size dance music, like the militarily efficient “Don’t Tell Me Nonsense” and the flash of last year’s excellent smash hit Oliver Twist."[40]

Tayo Ayomide of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album a 3.5 out of 5, adding: "On D' Kings Men there are no huge pop anthems like the ones crafted by Don Jazzy in the Mo’ Hits period. What we have on this compilation are strong pop songs hinged on D'Banj's infectious personality and amazing instrumentals. The doomsday prophecies concerning D'Banj's demise do not come through on this compilation, on the contrary he is flourishing. D' Kings Men exposes us to D'Banj's new kingdom. He is still very much a king with a smaller but promising empire."

Ogaga Sakapide of Tooxclusive followed with 3 out of 5, adding: "After the countless antics D’banj and his men finally pulled the curtain off their hotly anticipated compilation album ‘D’Kings Men’, which mark’s D’banj’s first major body of work in this post-Mo’Hits era. Plunging into the usual subjects of partying, love, wealth, fame and success, they manage to craft an experimental LP with numerous emotional layers (mostly pride, lust and anger), however D’banj validates that he might not endowed with the utmost musical gift yet his musical proficiency is praiseworthy."

TayoTv gave the album a 6.7 out of 10, adding: "D'banj is an artiste of over a decade and this is an average album. He needs to go back to the drawing board and give us what we want, give us what we are used to hearing from him during the Mo’Hit days. The people miss the melody of his music. This is his Mo’Hit days. I’m not saying he should or should not go back to Don Jazzy, but he should at least make some meaningful partnerships that will produce hits as an A list artiste and not rubbish. When he signed the so-called G.O.OD music deal, we expected something much more spectacular from him, we thought he was going to be selling Africa to the world, we thought he would stand out and be unique instead of trying/struggling to copy the American style."

Track listing[41]

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "DKM Intro (Do U Feel)" (featuring D'banj)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo  1:53
2. "Cashflow" (featuring D'banj and Kayswitch)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo and Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo  3:20
3. "Blame It On the Money" (featuring D'banj, Big Sean and Snoop Lion)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, Sean Michael Anderson and Calvin Cordozar Broadus, JrDee Vee 4:55
4. "For Example" (featuring Kayswitch)Kehinde Oladotun OyebanjoFear Dee Vee 5:25
5. "Ibadie (Bounce)" (featuring D'banj, Jason Jermaine Lopez, Kayswitch, Durella, and Olamide)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, Jason Jermaine Lopez, Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo, Durella and Olamide Adedeji  5:48
6. "Don't Tell Me Nonsense" (featuring D'banj)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo  3:41
7. "Nous Les Meilleurs (We the Best)" (featuring D'banj and Fally Ipupa)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo and Fally IpupaDon Jazzy 3:32
8. "Oliver Twist" (featuring D'banj)Dapo Daniel OyebanjoDon Jazzy 3:54
9. "Obimo (My Heart)" (featuring Kayswitch)Kehinde Oladotun OyebanjoDee Vee 3:53
10. "Top of the World" (featuring D'banj)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo  3:40
11. "Money On My Mind" (featuring D'banj, and J.Sol)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo and Jason Jermaine Lopez  3:40
12. "Scape Goat (The Fix)" (featuring Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, and Kanye West)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo and Kanye Omari WestDon Jazzy 3:43
13. "Why You Love Me" (featuring D'banj)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo  3:21
14. "Bachelor" (featuring D'banj)Dapo Daniel OyebanjoJay Sleek 3:59
15. "Finally" (featuring D'banj)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo  4:00
16. "Trance" (featuring D'banj and Naeto C)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo and Naeto C  3:29
17. "Ka Wo Soke (Hands Up)" (featuring D'banj, Ikechuckwu, and Olamide)Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, Ikechuckwu and Olamide Adedeji  4:15
18. "Sister Caro" (featuring Kayswitch and D'banj)Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo and Dapo Daniel OyebanjoJay Sleek 3:45
19. "First of All [Remix]" (featuring Olamide and D'banj)Olamide Adedeji and Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo  2:52
20. "Show My Logo" (featuring Kayswitch)Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo  3:29
Total length:
 71:54

Personnel

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Nigeria June 24, 2013 CD, Digital download DB Records, Sony Music, GOOD Music

References

  1. ↑ "Get Familiar: KaySwitch – Sister Caro ft D’banj". 360nobs. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  2. ↑ "Audio: D’Banj – Bachelor". 36 Nigeria. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Get Familiar: D’banj – Top Of The World". 360nobs. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "Audio: D’Banj ft. K-Switch – Cash Flow". 36 Nigeria. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "[AUDIO] D’BANJ – DON’T TELL ME NONSENSE, MONEY ON MY MIND". Hiphop World Magazine. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  6. ↑ "Music : D’banj – Don’t Tell Me Nonsense + For Example ft KaySwitch". Naija Fusion. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "Get Familiar: D’banj – Why You Love Me". 360nobs. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  8. ↑ "360Recommends: D’Banj – Finally (Download)". 360nobs. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "D'Banj Presents D'Kings Men". Itunes. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "DBanj Records Drops "D’ Kings Men" Album Track-List". D'banj Records. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  11. ↑ "DON JAZZY PRODUCES FOR D'BANJ ON DKM ALBUM". HipHopWorldMagazine. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  12. ↑ "Nigeria: D'banj's New Album Out On March 30". AllAfrica. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  13. ↑ "BN Bytes: D’Banj Signs on New Producer "FearDeeVee" to D’Banj Records". BellaNaija. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: D’Banj Is Still King". The Net Nigeria. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "D’banj Signs Jay Sleek (as Don Jazzy's replacement) As Official Producer Of His Record Label (DB Records).". Nigeriafilms. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "D’Banj Signs Durella To DB Records". NotJustOk. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Interview: D’Banj Talks First Ever Pre-Sales Album, Digital Distribution and Disrupting Africa’s Music Distribution System". Africanmusiclaw. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  18. ↑ "BN Red Carpet Fab: D’banj’s "D’Kings Men Live in Concert" Show in Lagos". BellaNaija. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  19. ↑ Oliver Twist (song)
  20. ↑ "@iamdbanj is STILL a #Bachelor …. Video Premiere: D’Banj – Bachelor". 360nobs. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  21. ↑ "Hot Flick: D’Banj – Top Of The World". Onobello. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  22. ↑ "D’banj ‘Top Of The World’". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "Must Watch Video! D’Banj feat. Kay Switch – CashFlow". BellaNaija. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "D’banj ‘Don’t Tell Me Nonsense’ + ‘Blame It On The Money’ ft. Big Sean & Snoop Lion". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  25. ↑ "Nigeria: D'Banj Unleashes 'Don't Tell Me Nonsense' Video". AllAfrica. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  26. ↑ "VIDEO: D’banj – Don’t Tell Me Nonsense". TooXclusive. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "New Video: Kayswitch – For Example [Ka Ni Pe]". 360nobs. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  28. ↑ "Kayswitch For Example". BigxGhana. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "Must-Listen! D’Banj – Why You Love Me". Bellanaija. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  30. ↑ "New Video: D’Banj – Why You Love Me". 360nobs. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  31. ↑ "New Video: D’Banj – Why You Love Me". 36daily. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  32. ↑ "New From Banga Lee! Watch D’Banj – Finally". Bellanaija. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  33. ↑ "VIDEO: D’Banj – Finally". notjustok. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  34. ↑ "Fresh out! Kay Switch features D’banj in ‘Obimo’ (WATCH)". YNaija. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  35. ↑ "For Wedding Lovers! Must Watch Video – Kay Switch Feat. D’banj – Obimo". Bellanaija. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  36. ↑ "VIDEO Premiere: KaySwitch ft. D’Banj – Obimo". Notjustok. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  37. ↑ "REVIEW: D'banj - D'Kings Men (DKM) ~ TayoTv". Tayotv. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  38. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: D’banj presents ‘D’Kings Men’ ft Kayswitch, J.Sol & Olamide". Tooxclusive. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  39. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: D’Banj Is Still King". The Net Nigeria. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  40. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (13 September 2013). "Casual Swagger, Cracked Hearts and Earnest Guitars". The New York Times Company. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  41. 1 2 "D'Banj Presents D'Kings Men". Itunes. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
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