D’Banj, has been named as this year’s Special Recognition award recipient at the upcoming Channel O Music Video Awards

Nigerian superstar, D’Banj, has been named as this year’s Special Recognition award recipient at the upcoming Channel O Music Video Awards which will be broadcast LIVE on Friday, 11 November.

D’Banj follows in the footsteps of many of Africa’s most prominent and successful musicians including K’NAAN who was given the Special Recognition award in 2010, Brenda Fassie in 2009 as well as George Lee in 2008.

Being honoured in this way by the Channel O Music Video Awards, brought to you in association with Hyundai, is even more notable for the fact that D’Banj released his debut album just six years ago. However, such has his impact been nationally, continentally and now internationally with his signing to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music record label, that D’Banj more than deserves this highly prestigious award.

Since the release of his debut, ‘No Long Thing’ in 2005, featuring the smash hit “Tongolo”, D’Banj has worked ceaselessly to create a career that’s now the benchmark for 21st century African artists.

Part of the Mo’ Hits Records stable, D’banj’s second album, ‘Rundown Funk U Up’ (2006) proved D’Banj’s ability to create club hits, “Tongolo” (Remix) as well as radio number ones, like the single “Why Me?” His hit-making ability was only reinforced in 2008 with the release of D’banj’s third album, ‘The Entertainer’, featuring the singles “Gbono Feli Feli”, “Kimon”, “Olorun Maje” and “Entertainer”.

In 2007 D‘Banj hosted the Channel O Music Video Awards with DJ Sbu. “His star has been rising for many years now. D’Banj is an artist who has the ability to communicate and connect in a meaningful way. As a musician he is a trendsetter and as a presenter he is entertaining with a wonderful sense of humour. His success both at home and internationally is a testament to his great talent and I am in no doubt that this is just the beginning,” says Yolisa Phahle Channel Director of Local Interest Channels.

D’Banj’s most recent big-hitter is also his most high profile: a remix of ‘Mr Endowed’ featuring the inimitable Snoop Dogg that was released in February 2011.

D’Banj’s generous approach to music making has seen him collaborate with the likes of Dare Art-Alade’s (on “Escalade Part 2”) and Ikechukwu. He is also part of Mo’ Hits Records’ collective, Mo’ Hits Allstars which includes Dr SID, Wande Coal, k-Switch and D’Prince.

His role as Nigeria’s first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace and the founder of the Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development says a great deal about D’Banj’s commitment to Nigeria and Africa. This is also reflected in his music through which he brings the Afrobeat sounds of his mentor Fela Kuti to life and into the 21st century through songs performed in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English. In doing this D’Banj works with his producer Don Jazzy who has also been signed to G.O.O.D. Music.

Alongside his recording career, D’Banj has proved to be a brilliant live performer: he’s a regular at the annual ThisDay Africa Rising Music Festival and has performed at Femi Kuti’s new Afrikan Shrine in Lagos as well as the Shrine Synchro System’s regular London Night at Cargo. Other high-profile appearances include performing at the Black President Concert in memory of Fela’s art and legacy at the Barbican in London, and alongside many international artists performing in Nigeria, among them Kelly Rowland (2008).

On June 9, 2011, D’banj wrote on his twitter account, @iamdbanj, “Just like yesterday, myself and my brother did Tongolo. 6 years later, Mo’Hits signs with GOOD Music. Best Birthday gift ever. God thank you.” Now D’banj’s 2011 is set to get even better as he’s honoured by Africa’s longest-running music awards with the Channel O Music Video Awards’ Special Recognition Award.

Voting for the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards is now CLOSED.

The Channel O Music Video Awards will be held LIVE on Friday 11 November 2011 at the Sandton Convention Center.