D’Banj, N’Dour, Sarai unite for ‘Worthy’

Afropop and global music icon, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, known professionally as D’banj has team up with up Senegalese born Grammy Award winner, Youssou N’Dour and NBC’s The Voice first runner-up Chechi Sarai on the song ‘Worthy,’

   The new track, which uses romantic love as a powerful metaphor for the artiste’s love for Africa, was released on Friday, July 19, with an accompanying video for streaming across all digital platforms and broadcast stations.

   Shot at various scenic locations in Dakar, Senegal, and at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Lagos, Nigeria, the music video is a cross-cultural showcase of music, culture, and place. It features exciting cameo by football legend El Hadji Diouf.

   ‘Worthy’ is the fourth single off D’Banj’s anticipated fifth studio album, ‘Entertainer—The Sequel,’ which will be released officially on August 9, under the DB Records imprint.

   Co-written by Olamide Adedeji better known as Olamide Baddo, and produced by Eskeez, the visuals shot by the award-winning video director, Clarence Peters. The will be available for pre-save from Tuesday, July 23.

   ‘Worthy’ is another milestone of D’Banj as he celebrates his 20th anniversary on stage with a series of activities that will culminate in a global tour. Youssou N’Dour, whom D’Banj describes as a legend and mentor, is also celebrating his 40th anniversary, making their collaboration a symbolic ode to Africa and its rich music landscape.

   Speaking about the song, D’Banj described it as a message of hope and unity to all Africans at home and abroad. He said, “When we come together as one, we not only honour our heritage but also unlock our borderless potential to lead the world. The future belongs to a united Africa, worthy of her dreams and aspiration.”

   Also commenting, Youssou N’Dour said, “Africa, our home, is filled with beauty and worthiness. I feel a special connection to our land and people and will always celebrate that connection.”

   With infectious sound and electrifying stage performances, D’Banj earned the moniker ‘The Entertainer’ early in his career, as he was one of the pioneers who laid the building blocks of Afrobeats’ global footprint, with achievements including a 2010 international collaboration with American rap legend Snoop Dogg, on Mr Endowed (Remix) and a 2011 global deal with Kanye West and his GOOD Music.

   He became the first Nigerian musician to chart on the number nine spot on the UK Singles Chart with his monster hit, ‘Oliver Twist.’ His extensive global collaborations include working with stars such as Bono, Big Sean, Idris Elba and Fally Ipupa. His music has attracted major awards and recognitions from BET, MTV Africa Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, Soundcity Music Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, The Headies and Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

  The album, ‘Entertainer – The Sequel’, is a creative blend of Afrobeats and Afropop, with 11songs and two bonus tracks. Its global feature list also includes music heavyweights like Haitian-born Grammy award winner, Wyclef Jean; Congolese music icon, Awilo Logomba; American pop star Akon, and South African megastar, DJ Maphorisa.

   The new project is a follow-up to his 2008 magnum opus, ‘The Entertainer’ that had collaborations with Nigerian music stars including Phyno, Timaya, Kayswitch, Zlatan, Peruzzi, Bhadboi Oml and Chuchu Lee.

   As part of his legacy to mentor and showcase the next big talents, D’Banj also featured Specikinging off his talent discovery project, Cream Platform.