D'Kings Men

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D'Kings Men
Compilation album by
DB Records
ReleasedJune 24, 2013
Recorded2012–2013
Genre
Length71:54
Label
Producer
D'banj chronology
The Entertainer
(2008)
D'Kings Men
(2012)
An Epic Journey
(2015)
Singles from D'Kings Men
  1. "Oliver Twist"
    Released: May 11, 2012
  2. "Sister Caro"
    Released: June 9, 2012
  3. "Oyato"
    Released: July 14, 2012
  4. "Bachelor"
    Released: November 10, 2012
  5. "Top of the World"
    Released: December 13, 2012
  6. "Cashflow"
    Released: December 21, 2012
  7. "Don't Tell Me Nonsense"
    Released: March 30, 2013
  8. "For Example"
    Released: March 30, 2013
  9. "Why You Love Me"
    Released: April 21, 2013
  10. "Finally"
    Released: June 20, 2013
  11. "Obimo (My Heart)"
    Released: November 20, 2013

D'Kings Men is a compilation album by recording artists of Nigerian record label DB Records. It was released on June 24, 2013, by the label and Sony Music.[1][2] The album was produced by Don Jazzy, Jay Sleek and Dee Vee.[3][4][5] It features guest appearances from DB Records signees D'banj, Kayswitch, and J.Sol, along with musicians Kanye West, Big Sean, Snoop Lion, Fally Ipupa, Durella, Olamide, Ikechukwu and Naeto C.[6] D'Kings Men 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)". It received mixed reviews from music critics, who panned its lyrics and sound.

Background and release[edit]

D'banj founded DB Records and started working on the album prior to splitting with his longtime business partner, Don Jazzy. Since its inception, multiple acts have signed to the label, including Kayswitch, J.Sol, Jay Sleek, Durella and Dee Vee.[7][8] In an interview with Seun Apara, D'banj said the album consists of a compilation of songs recorded by himself, Kay Switch, and J.Sol.[9] He also said Don Jazzy produced four tracks on the project. In an attempt to suppress piracy, the album was delivered to customers who pre-ordered it from D'banj's official website, and was also made available for purchase at all GT Bank offices in Nigeria.[9]

A day after D'banj and 2 Chainz headlined the DKM concert on June 23, 2013, at the Eko Hotels & Suites, D'Kings Men was made available on iTunes. The concert featured additional performances from Kay Switch, Phyno, Olamide, Mafikizolo, Fally Ipupa, and Naeto C. Guest in attendance included Ayo Makun, Kenya Moore, and Toolz, among others.[10]

Singles[edit]

The album's lead single, "Oliver Twist", was released on May 11, 2012. The music video for the song was directed by Sesan Ogunro and features cameo appearances from Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean, and Manny Fresh. The D'banj-assisted track, "Sister Caro", was released on June 9, 2012, as the album's second single. Its music video was shot in Lagos, Nigeria. The album's third single, "Oyato", was released on July 14, 2012, and serves as D'banj's first official single in the post-Mo'Hits era. "Bachelor" was released on November 10, 2012, as the album's fourth single. The accompanying music video for the song was also directed by Sesan in Atlanta, Georgia.[11]

The album's fifth single, "Top of the World", was released on December 13, 2012. It was the official SuperSport anthem for the 2013 African Nations Cup.[12] The music video for "Top of the World", which was shot in South Africa, features scenes of D’banj singing into a forest of mics while performing alongside a dreadlocked guitarist and rock drummer.[13] The Kayswitch-assisted track "Cashflow" was released on December 21, 2012, as the album's sixth single. The song's music video was also directed by Sesan.[14] The album's seventh single, "Don't Tell Me Nonsense", was released on March 30, 2013. The accompanying music video for the song was shot in Lagos by Matt Max, and features helicopters, smoke bombs, and an army of dancers.[15][16][17]

"For Example" was released on March 30, 2013, as the album's eighth single. Its music video was shot and directed by Matt Max in Mende Village, Lagos. Nigerian singer Durella made a cameo appearance in the video.[18][19] The album's ninth single, "Why You Love Me", was released on April 21, 2013.[20] Its music video was directed by Godfather Productions and uploaded to YouTube on December 13, 2013.[21][22] "Finally" was released on June 20, 2013, as the album's tenth single. The song's accompanying music video, which was shot and directed in London by Sesan, features cameo appearances from Wizkid and the CEO Dancers.[23][24] The wedding anthem "Obimo" was released on November 20, 2013, as the album's eleventh single. The song's music video was directed by Patrick Elis.[25][26][27]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
TayoTV6.5/10
TooXclusive
Nigerian Entertainment Today

D'Kings Men received mixed reviews from music critics. Jon Caramanica of The New York Times described the album as "an alluring contemporary pop album with an emphasis on king-size dance music."[28] Reviewing for Nigerian Entertainment Today, Ayomide Tayo awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5, acknowledging its inclusion of "strong pop songs hinged on D'banj's infectious personality and amazing instrumentals."[29] Ogaga Sakapide of TooXclusive gave the album 3 stars out of 5, saying it "dives into the usual subjects of partying, love, wealth, fame and success".[30] A writer for Tayo TV granted the album a 6.7 rating out of 10, calling it "average" at best.[31]

Track listing[edit]

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)
  • Oyebanjo
  • Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo
 3:20
3."Blame It On the Money" (featuring D'banj, Big Sean and Snoop Lion)Dee Vee4:55
4."For Example" (featuring Kayswitch)OyebanjoDee Vee5:25
5."Ibadie (Bounce)" (featuring D'banj, Jason Jermaine Lopez, Kayswitch, Durella, and Olamide)
 5:48
6."Don't Tell Me Nonsense" (featuring D'banj)Oyebanjo 3:41
7."Nous Les Meilleurs (We the Best)" (featuring D'banj and Fally Ipupa)Don Jazzy3:32
8."Oliver Twist" (featuring D'banj)OyebanjoDon Jazzy3:54
9."Obimo (My Heart)" (featuring Kayswitch)OyebanjoDee Vee3:53
10."Top of the World" (featuring D'banj)Oyebanjo 3:40
11."Money On My Mind" (featuring D'banj and J.Sol)
  • Oyebanjo
  • Lopez
 3:40
12."Scape Goat (The Fix)" (featuring D'banj and Kanye West)Don Jazzy3:43
13."Why You Love Me" (featuring D'banj)Oyebanjo 3:21
14."Bachelor" (featuring D'banj)OyebanjoJay Sleek3:59
15."Finally" (featuring D'banj)Oyebanjo 4:00
16."Trance" (featuring D'banj and Naeto C) 3:29
17."Ka Wo Soke (Hands Up)" (featuring D'banj, Ikechuckwu, and Olamide)
  • Oyebanjo
  • Ikechuckwu
  • Adedeji
 4:15
18."Sister Caro" (featuring Kayswitch and D'banj)
  • Oyebanjo
  • Oyebanjo
Jay Sleek3:45
19."First of All [Remix]" (featuring Olamide and D'banj)
  • Adedeji
  • Oyebanjo
 2:52
20."Show My Logo" (featuring Kayswitch)Oyebanjo 3:29
Total length:71:54
Bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
21."Oyato"OyebanjoJay Sleek3:24
iTunes Bonus tracks[32]
No.TitleLength
22."Cashflow Remix" (featuring D'banj and Kayswitch)3:58
23."Oliver Twist Remix" (featuring D'banj and Pitbull)4:19
24."Oliver Twist Remix" (featuring D'banj)3:28
Total length:11:05

Personnel[edit]

  • 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
  • Fally Ipupa N'Simba – featured artist
  • Ikechuckwu – featured artist
  • Michael Collins Ajereh – producer
  • Jay Sleek – producer
  • Dee Vee – producer
  • Classy Menace – producer

Release history[edit]

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

References[edit]

  1. ^ "D'Banj Presents D'Kings Men". Itunes. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  2. ^ "DBanj Records Drops "D' Kings Men" Album Track-List". D'banj Records. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Don Jazzy produces for D'Banj on DKM album". HipHopWorldMagazine. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Nigeria: D'banj's New Album Out On March 30". AllAfrica. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  5. ^ "BN Bytes: D'Banj Signs on New Producer "FearDeeVee" to D'Banj Records". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Album Review: D'Banj Is Still King". The Net Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 August 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  7. ^ "D'banj Signs Jay Sleek (as Don Jazzy's replacement) As Official Producer Of His Record Label (DB Records)". Nigeriafilms. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  8. ^ "D'Banj Signs Durella To DB Records". NotJustOk. Archived from the original on 5 August 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Interview: D'Banj Talks First Ever Pre-Sales Album, Digital Distribution and Disrupting Africa's Music Distribution System". Africanmusiclaw. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  10. ^ "BN Red Carpet Fab: D'banj's "D'Kings Men Live in Concert" Show in Lagos". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on 16 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  11. ^ "@iamdbanj is STILL a #Bachelor …. Video Premiere: D'Banj – Bachelor". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  12. ^ "Hot Flick: D'Banj – Top Of The World". Onobello. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  13. ^ "D'banj 'Top Of The World'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  14. ^ "Must Watch Video! D'Banj feat. Kay Switch – CashFlow". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on 22 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  15. ^ "D'banj 'Don't Tell Me Nonsense' + 'Blame It On The Money' ft. Big Sean & Snoop Lion". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  16. ^ "Nigeria: D'Banj Unleashes 'Don't Tell Me Nonsense' Video". AllAfrica. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  17. ^ "VIDEO: D'banj – Don't Tell Me Nonsense". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  18. ^ "New Video: Kayswitch – For Example [Ka Ni Pe]". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  19. ^ "Kayswitch For Example". BigxGhana. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Must-Listen! D'Banj – Why You Love Me". Bellanaija. 21 April 2013. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  21. ^ "New Video: D'Banj – Why You Love Me". 360nobs. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  22. ^ "New Video: D'Banj – Why You Love Me". 36daily. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  23. ^ "New From Banga Lee! Watch D'Banj – Finally". Bellanaija. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  24. ^ "VIDEO: D'Banj – Finally". notjustok. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  25. ^ "Fresh out! Kay Switch features D'banj in 'Obimo' (WATCH)". YNaija. 22 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  26. ^ "For Wedding Lovers! Must Watch Video – Kay Switch Feat. D'banj – Obimo". Bellanaija. 22 November 2013. Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  27. ^ "Video Premiere: KaySwitch ft. D'Banj – Obimo". Notjustok. 21 November 2013. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  28. ^ Caramanica, Jon (13 September 2013). "Casual Swagger, Cracked Hearts and Earnest Guitars". The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
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