It’s been 11 years since Dagrin passed but not once has the music industry forgotten the music icon that changed the game with his ghetto style songs.
While Lord of Ajasa is credited as one of the first rappers to pioneer rapping in Yoruba, Dagrin is seen as the rapper that made Yoruba rap songs cool and popularized them, paving way for artists like Olamide and Reminisce.
Today we would be looking at the best rap verses from Dagrin on songs in which he was featured on.
- RELATED: Top 5 songs from Nigerian artistes that are deceased
- RELATED: Dagrin Songs that will motivate you.
123 (Remix)- DJ Neptune
This was one of the best tracks that Dagrin ever featured on. “123” is still one of the best rap songs to come out of the Nigerian rap community. Despite being surrounded by other prolific English rappers like M.I Abaga and Naeto C, Dagrin didn’t fail to deliver.
Turn Me Around- Kenny St Brown (KSB)
Dagrin might be street but just like most artists, he has reverence for the divine being. Produced by Sheyman, “Turn Me Around” shows Dagrin paying reverence to God for his success. I wish he was featured on more gospel songs before his death.
Mercies Of The Lord Remix-Oritse Femi
Dagrin’s verse on this song is one of his best. It’s as good as any verse Dagrin ever dropped. It had everything and in his usual manner, he never strayed from the central theme and topic of the song.
Lowkey, ‘Mercies of the Lord Remix,’ was bigger than the original because of Dagrin.
Ako Mi Ti Poju-Naeto C
Ako Mi Ti Poju is the second song Dagrin and Naeto C collaborated on. For some reason, this song is one of Dagrin‘s underrated collaboration. But when it comes down to it, it displays his ability to discuss the vanity with his trademark roots in archetypal Hip-Hop.
At the beginning of Dagrin’s verse, the beat switches to announce his arrival on the song to which he doesn’t disappoint with lyrical wordplays
The part of, “Mo lo sa ATM, mo gba gbem, Mo mu Sagem, so I call all of them…” will always be impressive.
Owo Ati Swagga- Cartiair
In 2009, Nigerian rapper, Cartiair dropped what is now clear was a trap song. It was the smash hit single, ‘Owo Ati Swagger,’ with the beat sampled from Lil Wayne’s 2008 “Milli” song, the song glorified all things prim, proper and bougie.
While the song was a successful hit the remix was unsurprisingly not as big. However, Dagrin’s verse on the song is unforgettable. While the song dropped in December 2009, it did not really take off till after Dagrin passed.
He took the beat and dropped a delivery that merged the central theme of braggadocio and vanity with impressive bars. It’s hard to forget his wordplay with the metaphors of the crotch, Gucci, Prada, Barbers and Clippers and how he was not, ‘a rapper, but a lyrical tyrant.’
- RELATED: Popular Nigerian Artists and the inspiration behind their stage names
- RELATED: List of African artists that reached #1 on the Billboard world album chart
Champion(Remix)- General Pype
The first time most people heard the name Barack O’ Grin was from this song. On this song, Dagrin raised the bar so high with his verse leaving his imprint on the song despite it having artists like Vector, Naeto C, Sasha P and GT on it.
Emi Ni- Ruggedman
Released in 2010 off Ruggedman’s “Untouchable” album, “Emi Ni” is one of the last songs Dagrin did before his death.
“Emi Ni” is a Yoruba phrase word that means “It’s Me” in English. With two strong verses, Dagrin reminds people why he is a lyrical monster. The Music video was released after the passing of Dagrin.
KabaKaba- Konga
On “KabaKaba“, Fuji and Hip-Hop meet to produce an eargasm. Dagrin opens the song with a fire verse.
Efimile-YQ
Produced by the late Dokta Frabz, Dagrin raps about envy and how people are on his case to explain his source of wealth.
- RELATED: Most streamed Nigerian female afrobeat project of all time on Spotify
- RELATED: African artists with an entry on Billboard’s Artist Year-End Chart
Kosorombe-Dipp
“Kosorombo” is another underrated Dagrin’s feature. The love song had the rapper spitting out promises enough to flutter a woman’s heart.
Notable Mentions
- Lord of Ajasa – Virus
- Ajuju- Fimile Jo
- Reminisce- Gbabe
- Teeblaq-Oti Yapa
- Oluwe- Ewe Lowo
- Laylow – Meet Me At The Top
- 9ice – Loni Ni
- Sossick – Jor O
- Tilla Man – Get Low
- Iceberg Slim – I Made It
- Jazzman- Olofin erekere
Dagrin best rap verses on songs he was featured on
- 123 (Remix)- DJ Neptune
- Turn Me Around- Kenny Saint Brown
- Mercies of the Lord(Remix)- Oritse Femi
- Ako Mi Ti Poju- Naeto C
- Owo Ati Swagga- Cartiair
- Champion-General Pype
- Emi Ni- Ruggedman
- Kabakaba-Konga
- Efimile-YQ
- Kosorombe-DIPP