Nigerian recording artist, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk better known as Iyanya has reacted to the statement insinuating that his hit song ‘Kukere’ was written by Koko master, Dbanj.
This comes after a Twitter user reminisced on the memories of the popular hit song stating that the song was co-written by Dbanj. The post reads: “So Kukere by @iyanya was co-written by dbanj?, we learn everyday sha.. this song brings me good Ol’memories fr.”
Replying to the statement, the Kukere crooner via his Twitter handle clarified that he wrote the hit song, however, Dbanj’s verse in the Kukere remix was written by him.
His reply reads; “No. Kukere original was written by me. Dbanj’s verse in the Kukere remix was written by him. Thank you”
Recalls that the singer was recently appointed the Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment to Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade.
The 34-year-old entertainer had risen to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa.
Iyanya co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011.
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), better known by his stage name D’banj, is a Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, lawyer, entrepreneur and television personality. He has won several music awards, including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards, and Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards, Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Music awards
Oyebanjo adopted the stage name D’banj, a combination of his first name, Dapo, and his surname, Oyebanjo. D’banj is best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit “Oliver Twist”, an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeats and electronic dance music that topped the African charts in 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart. He said the year 2021 would be marked in Grand styles and he would release his album tittled “Ikebe” before the end of the first quarter.
D’banj, also known as the Kokomaster or Bangalee, was born on 9 June 1980 in Zaria, the northern part of Nigeria to a military officer who commanded an artillery regiment and a devout church dignitary businesswoman who hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State. Dbanj has twins as siblings, Taiwo and Kehinde Oyebanjo.
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (born 31 October 1986), known by his stage name Iyanya, is a Nigerian Afropop singer. He rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa and is best known for his hit single “Kukere”. He co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011. He released his debut studio album My Story in 2011. It was supported by the singles “No Time” and “Love Truly”. Desire, his second studio album, contained five singles: “Kukere”, “Ur Waist”, “Flavour”, “Sexy Mama”, and “Jombolo”. He won the Artist of the Year award at The Headies 2013. In October 2016, Iyanya announced on Instagram that he signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Few months prior, he signed a management deal with Temple Management Company. He first announced his intentions to leave Made Men Music Group in July 2016.
Iyanya was born on Palm Street in Calabar, Cross River State. His mother was a head mistress and his father was a forester. Iyanya has described his mother as the household disciplinarian, while his father was the gentler of the two. His parents both died in 2008, and his older brother died around the same time. Iyanya’s grandfather was a clergyman where Iyanya sang in his church’s choir and was the choir master for the children’s choir at age five.
Mbuk completed his primary, secondary, and university education in Calabar. He is a business management graduate from the University of Calabar.
After graduating from the University of Calabar, he worked in a hotel and sang karaoke at a local bar he managed. Iyanya began developing his vocal abilities at local bars which include: Fiesta Fries Bar, Mirage Nite Club, and West-Life. Iyanya cited British singer Craig David and American hip hop artist R. Kelly as his key musical influences. Iyanya was motivated to pursue music professionally after watching the celebrity lifestyle of 2 Face Idibia and Olu Maintain. Iyanya started as a rapper, going by the name “Lofty”.
