- Nigerian veteran rapper and singer Lawal Olumo, popularly known as Konga, revealed in a recent podcast interview that Dagrin's death was due to inadequate care and incompetence in Nigeria's healthcare system
- He recalled advising Phyno to incorporate the Igbo dialect into his music, contributing to his unique style.
- Konga's statements sparked a conversation about the challenges facing Nigeria's healthcare system and the validity of his claims
Nigerian veteran musician Lawal Olumo, popularly known as Konga, recently opened up about the circumstances surrounding the death of late rapper Oladapo Olaonipekun, widely known as Dagrin.In an interview with The Honest Bunch podcast, Konga revealed that Dagrin’s passing was not immediate following his highly publicised accident but was instead due to inadequate medical care and the incompetence of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
According to Konga, the Ijoba Democracy crooner was alive for about a week and a half after the accident, during which he and others pushed for him to be flown abroad for better treatment.
“I was part of the people advocating to fly Dagrin abroad after his accident, but we don't have a voice, because he was still alive after the accident for a week and half. I was crying, shouting that we should find a way to fly him out because they could not treat him over there.
“I saw the way they were over him, maybe performing experiment on something. There was no light at the hospital, and that was the best hospital they could put him in. As we were clamouring for aid, there was no help.”
He further expressed his desire that the incident had occurred in a more digitally advanced world, stating, “I wish there was this digital age, like this social media platform like we have today, we could have saved him.”
Konga speaks about his musical influence on Phyno, Dagrin
In the podcast, the ‘Baby Konga’ hitmaker further discussed his impact on Nigerian rapper Chibuzo ‘Phyno’ Ezege and Dagrin.
He stated that another artiste, Niggar Raw brought Phyno to him at Ajao estate. During their meeting, Phyno freestyled, incorporating the Igbo language into his rap, which immediately caught Konga’s attention.
“Niggar Raw brought Phyno to me, we were at Ajao estate then, I think we were having a lunch. Phyno was very young, I think he just came back from your side that time. Being the lead artiste in Morgan Entertainment, I asked him to do a freestyle for me.
“When he began, he would add some Igbo dialect to it, captivating my attention. I asked him to stop and asked him if he knew the population of the Igbo community in the whole world. I further asked him if he knew my style of music.
“If you could venture into that Igbo street vibe and give them what they want you hear, do you know with your Rao vibe, you could be the next biggest Igbo boy, because you have a style.
I just advised him, and he appreciated me because he was a cool and calm guy, the next thing I heard was ‘ndiala.’”
Konga also shared how he took an interest in Dagrin’s music after hearing his songs and personally sought him out for a collaboration.
During their studio session, Dagrin was introduced to a beat produced by Laylow. Upon hearing the beat, Dagrin began the intro, which was so impressive that Laylow had to stop the recording and express his amazement. Konga recalled telling Laylow, "I told you so; this guy is good!"
The collaboration marked the beginning of the street anthem movement, providing a platform for street music and launching Dagren's career. Following the song's release, Dagrin went on to create a remix of KabaKaba, and Sisi Eko.
Konga's revelations have sparked mixed reactions from the public. While some questioned the validity of his claim, suggesting that he had no role in influencing Phyno to rap in Igbo and Dagrin's hit, others praised him as a legendary hitmaker, citing his iconic song Konga as evidence.
However, some individuals took the conversation in a different direction, shifting the focus to the Nigerian healthcare system and its challenges.
Nigerians react to Konga's revelations
@Darius4_d wrote: “You may never understand this and I pray you never. Nigeria is funny. When I had an accident and needed to stick my knee cap, come and see IT students using needles on me. I had to stop them. Asked to be taken somewhere else. These people should never be close to animals let alone human.”
@GYBABA wrote: “I thought Dagrin died on the spot of the accident due to extreme fatality. I'm quite surprised Konga is saying he was alive up to a week and he was half. Like really? It's just like Micheal Jackson's type of death. It shouldn't have happened but it did due to negligence. 🤦♂.”
@imdfaceless1 wrote: “He should stop telling all these lies. He’s bringing back memories we all tried to suppress. Konga was never in the fray when Dagrin had that accident, and he could have lived if resident doctors were not on strike.”
@balogunafeez11 wrotw: “Who telling lies… if u don’t knw the story just waka pass…he was in Luth for a week and after that hospital na nonsense no adequate treatment atall student doc here and there practicing on patient 🤦🏽.”
@tolashealameen wrote: “Konga is not talked about enough in the industry.”
@SmAfc wrote: “Konga proper gbedu.”
@Timmydennyd wrote: “Reminds me of Bizzle on that ‘Alobam’ merch massive energy on promotion then. God bless him.”
@RawNwanne wrote: “Ana akogheri.
Phyno already had a record out titled #shutdown done in Igbo language before he came around to see Emeka Morgan on my invite and he also featured in #turuugo as far back as 2010.
So stop capping rubbish and disrespecting other artistes in the name of PR. The said meeting was in 2013 and phyno already had Igbo rap songs out which was why Morgan Ent. wanted to meet him....so which one is "#konga advised phyno to start rapping in Igbo"?
Make una no dey support rubbish.
That statement is disrespectful. #period”
@BlackwolfofLa wrote: “This brother should calm down o, I don sabi Dagrin song before hearing KabaKaba.”
@wenger1433 wrote: “And about Dagrin, I'm opportuned to be among few who could tell a little thing about Grin, Kabakaba was not the single that introduced him to the street, Efimile by YQ ft. him did that,if Dagrin is alive,he won't be happy Konga is saying all these things,not accurate at all.”
@ObaBishopGaa wrote: “Commercial success is what Konga is talking about. Dagrin did Rap Anthem in 2007 and no one listened to it until his breakthrough in 2009. Only Old guys listen to YQ way back then.”
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