April 22, 2010, was supposed to be like any other day or perhaps, a day to be remembered for the goods. That is not the case, however, as the date will be remembered for the demise of a talented rapper, Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, commonly known as Dagrin. How time flies, and it has been 10 years since… since that fateful day that brought a dark cloud over the music industry.
Barack O’Grin as he was also called, came through with a different yet distinct style blending his native Yoruba language with English and pidgin, rapping about his hustles, struggles and ambitions. His voice resonated with millions of Nigerian youths.
Dagrin was probably having the best time in his music career. The rap star had released his sophomore album in late 2009. The album was hugely successful, providing hits and street anthems like Kondo, Pon Pon Pon and Ghetto Dreamz.
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Numerous nominations at the 2010 Nigerian Entertainment Awards. He was also nominated for Artiste of the Year at the 2010 Hip Hop World Awards (now Headies) and took home the Best Rap Album at the ceremony. The best was yet to come for Dagrin. Sadly, he won’t live to see it.
On April 14, 2010, he had a ghastly motor accident in Mushin. His vehicle rammed into a stationary truck at night. There were reports that Dagrin was drunk. He never saw the truck that was parked opposite a police station. Dagrin went into a coma as a result of the collision.
Days later at around 7pm, Dagrin was pronounced dead at LUTH. It sent shock across the country. “A shining star dimmed too soon – Rising Nigerian Music Dagrin has passed away” reads the headline from Bella Naija. An indigenous rap icon had left us, way too soon at the age of 25.
Dagrin’s sudden death lives a bitter taste in the mouth of fans and makes one wonder how far he could have come. What we know is that his legacy lives on. 10 years it has been, Dagrin is not forgotten.
