Fasasi Mobolaji Gaius, known as Da Emperor, is a Nigerian indigenous rapper, actor, and songwriter.[1][2] He has family roots in Ogun State, Nigeria.[3] He raps in his native language, Yoruba, and infuses Pidgin and English.[4] Da Emperor has recorded songs with artists such as Gabriel Afolayan, Small Doctor, and Oritse Femi.[5]
Da Emperor | |
|---|---|
 Da Emperor standing beside his G wagon | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mobolaji Fasasi |
| Born | Alagbado, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Website | daemperor |
He released his second official single titled "Firewood", which features vocals from Oritse Femi. This was followed by the singles "Shake it" and "I'm a Sinner".[6][7]
Da Emperor was awarded the position of Tourism Ambassador on September 3, 2021, by the Bauchi State Tourism Board.
Music career
editIn 2013, he collaborated with Canadian-based Jamaican reggae artist Kisco. Da Emperor has recorded music with established and up-and-coming artists. He has shared the stage with Davido and Tiwa Savage.[8] In February 2013, he was featured on the song "Be Ma Boo" by Afro-Pop singer Slim Joe.[9] In 2013, he released the single "Para Mode" mixed by Indomix; its music video has surpassed 100,000 YouTube views and was released in 2014.[10]
On 2 February 2014, he released a song in support of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's campaign.[11] It was succeeded by the single "Liar", a cover of Chris Brown's "Loyal" featuring Lil Wayne and Tyga.[12]
In May 2015, he teamed up with Oritse Femi to release the hit song "Firewood" mixed by indomix. On 12 February 2016, he released the widely accepted single "I'm a Sinner".[13] On 5 March 2016, Da Emperor was involved in an international collaboration with American artist Stylezz and English artist Shyboss[14]
Just a few days after he jumped on Olamide's "who u epp" song, Da Emperor's version hit the number 4 spot on Spotify, of Nigerian rapper Olamide ever released songs.[15]
Selected awards and nominations
edit- The Polytechnic Ibadan "Honorary Award"
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Da Emperor | Distinguished Emerging Act of the Year | Won | [16] |
- Nigeria Achievers Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Da Emperor | Next Rated Act (Music) | Nominated | [citation needed] |
- City People Entertainment Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Da Emperor | Rookie of the Year | Nominated | [17] |
- Emperor Nollywood Award "Recognition Award"
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Da Emperor | Special Artist Recognition | Won | [18] |
- Olabisi Onabanjo University, National Association Of Architecture Students "Honorary Award"
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Da Emperor | Musician Of The Year | Won |
Discography
edit| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Am ah Rapper" | Non-album single |
| "Facebook Prediction" (featuring Don d King) | ||
| 2012 | "J'ara E" (featuring Diamond Dee) | |
| 2013 | "Para Mode" | R.I.V |
| "Some Badt Guys" | ||
| 2014 | "Street is Strict" (featuring Gabriel Afolayan) | |
| "Ambode Campaign Song" | Non-album single | |
| "Liar" | ||
| 2015 | "Firewood" (featuring Oritse Femi) | R.I.V |
| 2016 | "I'm a Sinner" | |
| "Aganran" (featuring Small Doctor) |
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Love Advice" (Don d King featuring Da Emperor) | Non-album single |
| "Call Me Girl" (Ogun State All Stars featuring Dboy, Tnail, Tgirl, Don d King, and Da Emperor) | Ogun State All Stars | |
| 2012 | "Front Page" (Holysam featuring Da Emperor) | Non-album single |
| "Baby Baby" (Haybee featuring Da Emperor) | ||
| 2013 | "Fling It Gimme" (Kisco featuring Da Emperor) | |
| "Be Ma Boo" (Slimjoe featuring Da Emperor) | ||
| "Calabash Booty" (Jefak featuring Da Emperor) | ||
| 2014 | "Alujo" (Ibromatic featuring Da Emperor) | |
| 2015 | "No Love" (Lyrontray featuring Da Emperor) | |
| "Kogbagidi" (Ogbon featuring Da Emperor) | ||
| 2016 | "Shake it" (Shyboss and Stylezz featuring Da Emperor) | |
| "Who U Epp" (Olamide featuring Da Emperor) |
Videography
edit| Year | Title | Album | Director | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "Para Mode" | R.I.V | Prince G Next | [19] |
| 2016 | "I'm a Sinner" | Joe Rock | [20] | |
| 2020 | "I Love You" | Da Emperor | ||
| "Nathana (Booty Bounce)" |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "DA EMPEROR: WHY I'M INTO INDIGENOUS RAP – The Nation Nigeria". The Nation Nigeria. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
- ^ "Da Emperor Spits Firewood".
- ^ Gbenga Bada (28 March 2016). "Da Emperor: Rapper says he's king over rap kings". Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ "Why I sing indigenous rap – Da Emperor". Newswatch Times. Archived from the original on 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
- ^ "Da Emperor Drops Firewood Ft. Oritshe Femi". Channels Television. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
- ^ "I Am A Sinner Archives". CityPeople Magazine Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2016-04-24. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
- ^ "Da Emperor Drops New Video, I'm A Sinner". Channels Television. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
- ^ "Da Emperor performing @ skyebank's party 2014 – Great9jahits". Great9jahits. Archived from the original on 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
- ^ Donak Maxwell. "DTV Music: Slim Joe – Be My Boo ft Da Emperor – DonakTv". DonakTv. Archived from the original on 2017-07-30. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
- ^ "Da Emperor's Hit Single Video Para Mode Hits Over 100000 Views on YouTube in Less Than a Week of Release". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
- ^ "MUSIC ALERT: DA EMPEROR (@Daemperor01) – Ambode Akinwunmi". TopNaijaMusic.com.
- ^ "Music: Da Emperor – Lair (Chris Brown Loyal Cover)". Entadaplace. Archived from the original on 2018-08-12. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
- ^ "Video : Da Emperor – I'm a Sinner – Nigezie". Nigezie. Archived from the original on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
- ^ "Da Emperor Set To Release New Collabo With African, American and European Touch Of Afro". CityPeople Magazine Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2016-02-26. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
- ^ Bada, Gbenga. "'Who You Epp': Rising act, Da Emperor's cover version of Olamide's hit makes Spotify". Archived from the original on 2016-06-18. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
- ^ "When Da Emperor was honoured". Daily News Watch. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ^ "Wizkid, Olamide, Phyno grab nominations at Citypeople Entertainment Awards 2016". The Net Ng. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ^ "Iyabo Ojo Fespris, Femi Adebayo Salami, Da Emperor, Mustapha Sholagbade, Shebaby, Itele D Icon, Chinedu Ikedieze; All Win Big In Emperor Nollywood Awards 2017". Ghana Direct News. Retrieved 7 July 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Download Paramode By Da Emperor Official Video". Da Emperor. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
- ^ Alash, Bob. "VIDEO: Da Emperor – I'm A Sinner". Jaguda.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-03-20.