Why I shunned Globacom for my latest project – D’banj

It was a bit of shock when Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, aka D’banj, unveiled CREAM, a new platform to support creative minds in Nigeria, in partnership with MTN. For two years, he was a Globacom ambassador.
When his contract expired with Glo in November 2015, it was not renewed. Many had thought there was a discord between them. This latest development has corroborated that thought.
Speaking to The Point on CREAM, which means Creative, Reality, Entertainment, Arts, Music, the Kokomaster said he had no grudges with Glo over his decision to work with MTN.
“The reason I chose MTN is simple. If you look at the creative industry today, MTN is a pacesetter. Look at their revenue base and the risks they’ve taken. MTN’s Music Plus is working; I am generating money from it.
“Even though I was a Glo ambassador, I have always generated contents for all networks. I looked at who could understand what I was about to do and be able to maximise it for me. MTN is already doing it with or without anyone’s help,” he said.
According to the singer, MTN is the biggest ‘record company’ in Nigeria right now. He said it used to be the defunct Mo’Hits because of their relations with the Alaba market on music distribution and marketing.
“I did an interview last year where I said MTN Records is the biggest record label in Nigeria right now. When there was Mo’hit, we could say it was the biggest as there was no social media. We only used Alaba then and we had our partnership with people there.
“You cannot call yourself a record label if you do not have distribution and marketing. Who is the company that has the biggest distribution and marketing, and has shown success story in music? That is why MTN released a statement that they made 70 million Dollars from music distribution alone. My partnership with MTN secures me. If MTN is the biggest distribution and CREAM has a partnership with them, then the future is bright. It does not mean it cannot expand to all other persons.”
Though D’banj has kept mute on his rumoured marriage, he gave enough hints to finally conclude that he actually tied the knot unannounced as it was reported in the media few months ago.
He stated, “It is my business and none of or your business. If you see a wedding ring in my hand, fine and if you do not, it is fine too. It is very important to know what you want as a brand. As a brand, I want to focus on business and keep my family and private life private, especially coming from where I have come from. I know how all these interplay and I would not like that. Let’s concentrate on CREAM. When we have 10 million subscribers, I could even do a wedding again.”
For CREAM, the competition will run once every month and winners will emerge in three categories, including music, video, and collaboration. Three winners will be selected from the draws first working day of the every month. The winners will win exciting opportunities such as a recording deal, shooting a state-ofthe-art video, a collaboration with any artiste of their choice (music or video collaboration), talent showcase, talent branding, promotion and marketing and a host of others.