D'Kings Men

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

D'Kings Men ^[10] is a compilation album by recording artists of Nigerian record label DB Records, released on June 24, 2013 by the label and Sony Music.^[11] Nigerian recording artist and harmonica player, D'banj, started working on the album after splitting with his long time business partner, Don Jazzy. The album produced eleven singles—"Oliver Twist",^[12] "Sister Caro",^[13] "Oyato",^[2] "Bachelor",^[14] "Top of the World", "Cashflow",^[15] "Don't Tell Me Nonsense",^[16] "For Example",^[17] "Finally", "Why You Love Me", and "Obimo (My Heart)".

Production on the album was handled by Don Jazzy,^[18] Jay Sleek,^[19] and Fear Dee Vee^[20] The album features guest appearances from Kanye West, Big Sean, Snoop Lion, Fally Ipupa, Durella, Olamide, Ikechukwu, and Naeto C.^[21] Upon its release, D'Kings Men received mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics felt 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 his aforementioned split. Since the label's inception, multiple acts have signed to the label, including Kayswitch, J.Sol, Jay Sleek,^[22] Durella,^[23] and Fear Dee Vee.^[24]

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." D'banj also added that the album would be available for presale. He said, "DKM album has already dropped on pre-sales online. This is the first time I will be doing pre-sales of any album and I was surprised that in less than three days, the response was massive. I was in Atlanta and I flew back home immediately. I am actually excited about it and not just for me alone. I’m excited that if by God’s grace this works out, finally, it will curb piracy and provide another means of distribution other than Alaba Market." D'banj was also asked about his plans to set up a distribution channel. He said, "The big thing about this is that the distribution of DKM album is not going to be online alone. We have been looking for a way whereby our fans and the masses can get hold of our product other than on the street because I have heard complaints in the past that they don’t get the original copies of our albums. So now, it has been structured in a way that it will be delivered directly to your house, once you pre-buy the album. Then, it will be available in all GT Bank offices nationwide. I can tell you categorically that Fally Ipupa is on this album, Kanye West is on the album and Olamide is also on the album." ^[25]

Moreover, D'banj said that distribution is his current utmost possession. He added, "For once, we need to get music distribution right in this country and be able curb piracy. Aside, musicians will be able to make so much money from their works." ^[25]

When asked to describe his relationship with his former partner, D'banj said, "Don Jazzy produced four songs on the DKM album coming out soon. I remember when I was in America and they were mastering a song and I heard the one featuring Fally Ipupa which was produced by Don Jazzy and I was like wow! I called him immediately and he picked up. I said listen to what I’m hearing, this is a music you produced. So don’t get twisted like I said, love is a beautiful thing. I’m a businessman and I do what is right for my business. What I’m doing now is what I have always wanted as an artiste, professionalism and good distribution. I don’t have any regret.” ^[25]

Release

American rappers Kanye West, Big Sean, and Snoop Dogg were among the international acts featured on the album.

D'Kings Men was available on iTunes a day after the DKM concert. The concert occurred at the Eko Hotels & Suites on June 23, 2013 in Victoria Island, Lagos. It was headlined by the Kokomaster and 2 Chainz; the concert featured performances by Kay Switch, Phyno, Olamide, Mafikizolo, Fally Ipupa, and Naeto C. AY Makun, American reality TV star, Kenya Moore, Toolz, Lynxxx, Efya, Fade Ogunro, Timaya, Juliet Ibrahim, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and Susan Peters were all present at the event.^[26]

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 among others made cameo appearances in the music video.^[27] On June 9, 2012, the second single, "Sister Caro", featuring the Kokomaster was released; the music video was shot in Lagos, Nigeria.

On July 14, 2012, D'banj released the third single, "Oyato". The song serves as Kokomaster's first official single in the post-Mo’Hits era.^[2] On November 10, 2012, DB Records released the fourth single, "Bachelor". The music video for the single was directed by the Eja Nla and Sesan in Atlanta, Georgia.^[28]

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.^[29] 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.^[30]

On December 21, 2012, Sony Music Africa released the six single, "Cashflow", featuring Kayswitch; the music video was directed by Sesan.^[31]

On March 30, 2013, DB Records released the seventh single, "Don't Tell Me Nonsense". The music video for "Don't Tell Me Nonsense", shot in Lagos by Matt Max, features helicopters, smoke bombs, and an army of dancers.^[32][33][34] The eighth single titled "For Example" was also released 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.^[35][36]

Why You Love Me

"Why You Love Me" is the ninth single from this album, released on April 21, 2013.^[37] 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.^[38][39]

On June 20, 2013, D'banj released the album's tenth single titled "Finally". The music video for the single was shot in London and directed by Sesan. Wizkid and the CEO Dancers made cameo appearances in the music video.^[40][41]

Obimo (My Heart)

"Obimo" is a song by Kayswtich featuring D'banj, released as the eleventh single from this 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.^[42][43][44]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
TAYOTV	[45]
Tooxclusive	[46]
Nigerian Entertainment Today	[47]

Upon its release, D'Kings Men was met with mixed reviews from music critics. Popular Nigerian websites like the Net Nigeria, Tooxclusive, and TayoTv evaluated the album's content, lyrics, and originality. 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. Preceded by a number of lead singles and leaks; ‘D’banj presents D’Kings Men featuring Kayswitch, J.Sol & Olamide’, houses 20 tracks revolving around the genres of hip-hop, pop and of course afrobeats. 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. I expect more from someone who has been in the game for that long. In D'banj's case, his music has been downward sloping for a while now and I wonder how long that will continue happening. If it was a regular artiste that came up with this average stuff, I am sure most people will find it absolutely unacceptable. Dbanj is an entertainer, he has dropped some hit tracks and I believe he can still do it, but he needs to focus on what the fans want, give good music, I guess that’s why he went into partnership with G.O.O.D Music but ironically since he signed that deal, he has released nothing but B.A.D Music. 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. The new school "I am trying to sound American" is very awkward and I am very sure even Americans cannot accept this. 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^[48]

Personnel

• Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo - Primary artist
• Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo - Primary artist
• Jason Lopez - Primary artist
• Olamide Adedeji - Featured artist
• luwadamilare Kulaja - Featured artist
• Kanye Omari West - Featured artist
• Sean Michael Anderson - Featured artist
• Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr - Featured artist
• Faustin Ipupa N'Simba - Featured artist
• Ikechuckwu- Featured Artist
• Michael Collins Ajereh - Producer
• Jay Sleek - Producer
• Fear Dee Vee - Producer
• Classy Menace - Producer

Release History

References