Contrary to what some people chose to believe, Dagrin (real names: Olayitan Olanipekun Oladapo) is educated and a dope rapper. The soft spoken, reserved but versatile rapper attended Rosemary Nursery and Primary School, Good Shepherd Nursery and Primary School; Community High School, Egbado College and a Tech. computer Institution.  His choice in using his native tongue (Yoruba) to deliver his lyrical messages has prompted whispers and doubts from different corners about his education and background.

Mojeed Mumuni and Oluleye Awoleye sat down with the rapper for a quick Q & A session and to ask him about his new album titled CEO (Chief Executive Omo-ita).

WRT: Why Chief Executive Omo-ita (CEO)?
Dagrin: I’m the C E O because my album just dropped under my own record label MISOFUNYIN Entertainment. Thing is, it’s not about going out robbing and doing shit to people but I’m always on the streets. (Breaks into pidgin English) Anybody wey dey street na omoita, if you are out there for good.

WRT: What would you call your style of of music, Afro Hiphop?
Dagrin: I drop my lines in Yoruba doesn’t mean I’m Afro hiphop, it’s strictly rap.

WRT: What inspired you to rap in Yoruba and do you think this style will stand the test of time?
Dagrin: I started doing my thing in Yoruba because I understand Yoruba better than English and that’s the way I can reach out to my people.  I’m not going to switch to Apala, Juju, Soco, because I have mad fans. I wouldn’t want to disappoint anybody, my style of music will remain till i die.

When I started it was in English, back then when I mimed songs from BIGGIE, Scarface and Ice Cube. That was before I started hearing about Lord of Ajasa,  AY and the likes that have been putting words down in Yoruba.

WRT: What inspires you musically?
Dagrin: Things around me, the hustle and the way people carry on with their life.
WRT: Can you tell us the producers and artistes you worked with?
Dagrin: I worked with So Sick (Gino’s younger brother), Dr Frabs, T Frizzle and I featured Dark Poet, So Sick, T Frizzle, Omawumi, Isolate and some underground artistes to showcase what they got too.

WRT: What’s your favorite track on the album?
Dagrin: I love ‘Everyday’, it’s the track 2 on the album.

WRT: What kind of music do you listen to?
Dagrin: I listen to different genre of music: Apala, Fuji, Techno, but most of the time I listen to rap music.

WRT: Which Nigerian artiste do you wish to feature?
Dagrin: Tuface

WRT: Are you working towards getting him to jump on board?
Dagrin: My album just dropped, hopefully in my next album.

WRT: Have you had any experience with another record label?
Dagrin: My first album dropped under Leo Entertainment three years ago, it was crazy then. They tried their best but it wasn’t working out. I’m not sure if people know I had an album then; the promotion was not enough but there was nothing I could do. So I had to wait for the contract to run out, then I started my own thing.

WRT: When was your first time on stage?
Dagrin: It was a birthday party, no beats, no tape, no CDs. Back then, it was just a freestyle and the response was massive then I started to believe if five or more people can appreciate then millions can.

WRT: What do you have to say about piracy in Nigeria?
Dagrin: Piracy can only be stopped if the government is serious, but our government is not ready to stop it.  A couple of weeks back, some people went to Abuja to seek help; but when they see you with ear rings and dreads they see you as irresponsible. They still don’t know understand that entertainment is big business, but Alaba still has power over the artiste. Imagine artistes still pay DJs in Alaba to put their songs in mixes. We still have a long way to go.

WRT: Your favorite collaboration to date?
Dagrin: Me and Y Q.  But I recorded another collaboration recently, with me, General Pype, Sasha, Naeto C, Digital Man and Vector. It was competitive ‘cos we took 8 lines each and everybody was like “I will kill this song and I got another name for myself  (Barack O’Grin]. General Pype featured the rest of us on that recording.

WRT: Thank you Dagrin for this wonderful opportunity, any words to your fans?
Dagrin: Just remain blessed and my album is still fresh in stores. Go get your copy and anything you do stay focused, believe in GOD.