There is “No Wahala”, 1da Banton Is Going Global

The pandemic being a leveler has made every Nigerian artiste refocus on their streaming. Also, they have developed a concerted effort to use social platforms to reach a newer audience. With the renewed strategy, 1da Banton’s song “No Wahala”, off the 15-tracks album titled “Original Vibe Machine”, has become a sensation. With millions of engagement from #tiktokers, #twitterholics, and #instagrammers across Africa and Europe, no doubt there is “No Wahala”, 1da Banton is going global. Like the legend of Burna Boy, are we about to witness another Port Harcourt-born artist ascending into mega–stardom?

Alongside “Love Nwantiti” by CKay, “ODG” by Eltee Skhillz, and “Ameno” by Goya Menor, “No Wahala” by 1da Banton is amongst the best songs enjoying rave reviews from music pundits. The lyrical content and its context are so relatable. The melody is captivating. As of writing, it has over 14 million streams on Spotify and over 11 million views on Youtube. With several celebrities and dance groups across various continents still making videos singing to it and posting memes with the title inscription and Kizz Daniel on the remix alongside a top female artiste, 1da is heading for greater heights.

Christened Godson Ominibie Epelle, an indigene of Opobo town in Rivers state Nigeria; Born and raised in Port Harcourt. Looking back at his impressive debut single titled “Love Her Daily”, produced by DJ Coublon, released in 2014; undeniably, 1da’s newfound fame has been a long time coming. According to him, “I grew up listening to records from Bob Marley, Fela, Rex Lawson, Frank D’nero, and Duncan Mighty. My corner of PH city was rough, but it gave me the street experience needed and the background for the vibe you hear in my music.

Recording my debut single was fulfilling. It was the very first song I recorded after signing with Squareball Entertainment. I could remember that session like it was yesterday. Being the young boy that just arrived from Port Harcourt, to be in that studio with an award-winning producer and Adasa Cookey -my record label boss, both of them waiting to hear me sing, was chilling. After recording and everyone listened, It was evident they were impressed. That is where the journey began. I went on to release several career-defining songs”. He Narrated.

With his voice that sounds like a hybrid of Iconic Burna Boy, 2Baba, and Timaya, 1da Banton released top-charting songs like “Activate”, “Joy”, “Concentrate”, and “Jowo”. Some of those songs made it into his 2017 debut EP titled “The Banton EP”. That Extended-Play was a stepping-stone for him. With songs like “Way Up” and “No Love” featuring Timaya, he stakes his claim as one of the most talented new artists. “Way Up” was also popular with the 2017 Big Brother Naija. The love he got for that song from Nigerians across the country earned him his street cred. Despite the warm reception from fans, 1da did not rest on his laurels.

1da Banton’s plan to win more audience and gain popularity in Sub-Sahara and South African countries became a reality with the release of the song “African Woman”. According to him, “African Woman was one of my all-time favorites. I recorded that song when I was at my lowest. I originally wrote it for a South African artist that contacted me for songwriting. When I sent the first verse, she complained it was too slow for what she wanted. I dished it and made something different. Months after, Adasa Cookey asked about the song; I went back to make it, and as luck would have it, it got me my first 1 million streams on Spotify”.

Over the years, Ida’s has maintained an upward trajectory in the Nigerian music industry. Consistently, he has been working his socks off and aligning himself, waiting for his time to excel. In July 2021, with the release of his debut album called “Original Vibe Machine”, everything did fall into place. Delighted to talk about the project, he said, “I am glad that my team and I found a way to drop that album despite the odds. With smash hits like “No Wahala”, we made history. Technically, that record changed my career. All over the world, that track is a hit. I am so full of praise for Blaisebeatz (Producer) and Micky (Guitarist).

1da’s popularity is soaring in Europe. On the US Secretary General’s playlist, “No Wahala” was on it. Honestly, the album “Original Vibe Machine” contains several other great songs. It has tracks like “Sekkle Down”, “Your Body”, “The Benz”, “Over”, “Sister Love”, “Don’t Say No”, “Can’t Stop”, “In My Head”, “Palava”, “911” featuring Seyi Shay, “No Sleeping” featuring Zlatan, “Flenjo” featuring Duncan Mighty, and “Way Up (Remix)” featuring Stonebwoy. 1da is beginning to make up ground towards the Afrobeats throne. All things being equal, it might not be long before he becomes the headline artist at 02 Arena.