D’banj Announces Joint Tour with 2baba, Timaya, Hints New Single

Veteran Afrobeats star D’banj has revealed plans for a joint tour with fellow music heavyweights 2Baba (2Face Idibia) and Timaya.

Speaking during an interview on Adesope Live in London, the ‘Oliver Twist’ hitmaker reflected on the evolution of Afrobeats from its early days as a regional genre in the 2000s, to its present-day status as a global music phenomenon.

D’banj credited the African diaspora as a key driving force behind the genre’s meteoric rise.

He said, “I was speaking with Timaya the other day and he was like, ‘Banger, it’s okay, you’ve been an entrepreneur enough. It’s time to come out.’ And I said the same thing. I’m speaking to 2Face as well. 2Face was telling me – let’s go on a tour together.

“We have myself, 2Face and Timaya. We have great bodies of work. Because of how our industry is, there is a big market for everyone. So, yes, we will be going on a tour…”

In addition to the tour, D’banj also announced an upcoming collaboration with 2Face.

“I’m also dropping a new song with 2Face soon titled ‘Feeling Good.’ For those who have waited, I want to thank you guys. I think that would be the tag of the tour – just to thank you. Because looking back 20 years…”

Reflecting on the early challenges faced by African artists in the diaspora, D’banj shared his experience with cultural identity and the global rise of African influence.

“Now everybody is Afrobeats, everybody is African. But I remember when in London it was not that great for you to say you are Nigerian. We all wanted to be Jamaicans. Back then, everybody was embracing Jamaica, so for us [Africans] to be the new pop [is a big deal].”

He continued: “These days, there is no UK movie that I’ve seen without our music in it. So a big kudos not just to the creatives but to the whole community [African diaspora].”

Though dates and locations for the tour are yet to be announced.