Legendary Nigerian music superstar D’Banj has been absent for quite a while. Now Banger Lee, as fans fondly call him, is back. Fans and critics greet him with, “Long time no see.”
The Koko master is back with a banger! He comes back with nothing more ravaging than the remix of his 2005 smash hit: Tongolo. The remix is made using a popular line from the hook: “Koko”.
The track “Tongolo” is unofficially known as “the koko” track. And D’banj most likely played upon the term’s popularity for his remix.
The Origins Of D’banj’s “Koko”
D’banj, popularly known as the Kokomaster, uses the term “koko” extensively in his music. The term, which originates from Yoruba language, means “the point” or “an important thing.” Obviously, the kokomaster uses it to mean both terms and something more that could literally mean the male genitalia or sex.
D’banj Koko Remix: a musical wonder
In fact, D’banj goes on to drop not just the Koko Remix, but a “remix” to the remix. He features African-American Musical big shot, Akon and dynamic music producer, Eskeez.
He comes clean on the song with some Afrobeat tunes, bringing forth his infectious energy and powerful vibes. The song starts with him delivering tunes on his harmonica with a choir-type hook from the original “Tongolo” track. Next, the song evolves into a lovely blend of vocals taking the listener into the more colourful Afrobeat dimension.
The hook is quite simple, buy highly resonating with vocals from D’banj and backup singers supporting his rap words:
“Baby girl, tell mе what you want?
(Koko ah, koko)
Hmm, it’s right here, I got what you need
(Koko ah, koko)
Lil mama, kilode? Sun mọ Bangalee [lil’ mama, what’s the matter, come closer to banger lee]
(Koko ah, koko)
Eh, eh
(Koko ah, koko)
You say what?
(Koko ah, koko)
Yo Eskeez, kill the riddim and buss it”
His lyrics show the highly-sexualised nature of the “koko” term, with the first verse laying emphasis on it.
“All dem sexy ladies wan go down
The gbẹdu on pace, dem wan to knack
It’s not the same win, I don dey knack oh…”
Akon Goes Over And Beyond On The D’banj Koko Remix
Akon comes through delivering line after line in his distinct voice. In addition, he does so well, you can’t tell if he is a Senegalese-American or just a Nigerian in the following lyrics:
“‘Cause if I talk am, I go do am, ah
Baby girly, I go do am, ah
Just tell me what you want, you go see am, ah
I no go lie, I no go let you down
There ain’t nothing inna my way
See my love e don feed me troway
Baby girl, I go love you all my days, ah, yah-yah…”
Furthermore, Akon’s Nigerian “pidgin-English” is so well delivered that some believe Eskeez may have helped with the delivery. His pidgin seems too clean to have been delivered by Akon himself.
Others are of the opinion that Akon could have pulled it off himself as he is not new to Afrobeats. He has been in plenty of collaborations with Nigerian music artistes in the past. Works he has done includes his feature by D’banj in the song, “Feeling the Ni**a”.
D’banj Koko Remix: The Video
Pink directed the official video for the first Koko remix song. Unfortunately, we have yet to see if a video has been shot for the “remix of the Koko remix.”
The video comes with the classic Kokomaster theme: D’banj being in the midst of a bevy of ladies. This time though, it starts with ladies in African attires with D’banj right in the middle of their ministrations.
The video then switches over to D’banj being the boss in an office full of ladies that please the eyes. In the bevy comes this very special lady coming to him for the “koko”.
After the whole “office sexual vibes”, the video ends with the ladies eavesdropping on the Kokomaster’s office. They rush back to their posts as D’banj and his love interest leave.
Could There Be Much More To The Kokomaster Than Just The Koko?
D’banj’s niche is the sexualized koko vibe. Indeed, many wonder when the best-selling African artist of 2014 will bring us more grounded musical works. Works like his “Top of the World” , which was the official SuperSport anthem for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. In addition, there is the fact that the song is one of the songs he performed at the event’s closing ceremony.
There is no doubt that D’banj is talented and knows how to pull and thrill a crowd. We hope that his new Entertainer album would help set him on the world map again like his Oliver Twist song did.
