All You Need To Know About The Dagrin Movie

By Osagie Alonge

On Friday, February 11, 2011 young and upcoming actors came out in the hundreds to be part of the cast of ‘GHETTO DREAMZ’, the upcoming Dagrin movie about the life and times of Olaitan Oladapo Olaonipekun, the late rapper known as Dagrin.

As reported earlier, ‘GHETTO DREAMZ‘, will historically narrate the life and times of Dagrin; his early years as an upcoming artiste, his rise to fame and the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.

The fans who didn’t mind standing out in the scorching sun at the auditions, waited for each of their turns to prove they had what it takes to be featured in the biopic which will be directed by Daniel Ademinokan. After rounds of presentations, the producers of the movie, Stingomania Entertainment revealed the eventual actors who were judged as the best acts based on the similarities of the roles they were to play.

Upcoming act, Trybson Dudukoko who happens to be signed to Stingomania Records is expected to play the lead role as Dagrin while AMAA and ZAFAA awards winner Doris Simeon will play the supporting role as his girlfriend.

The movie will also feature veteran actors like Kayode Odumosu popularly known as Pa Kasunmu and Rachael Oniga who will play the roles of Dagrin’s parents.

Others in the line-up include Chelsea Ese who will feature as a reporter in the movie among other acts who would be making their debut appearances in the Nollywood movie.

The biopic is expected to hit the cinemas in April 2011 as part of the 1^st anniversary memorial project in honour of the late rapper as shooting of the movie has officially commenced.

Dagrin who had just started to rip the fruits of his labour lost his life in a ghastly motor accident on Thursday April 22, 2010. His death sent shudders down the spines of music lovers and everyone in general.

How Dagrin died…

‘After the second operation, the doctor said he had a 50-50 chance. On the eighth day, they told us he was dead’ – Tunde Peters, friend and manager.

His shocking death was as a result of a ghastly auto crash that took place on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Before his eventual and sad exit, family members, fans, friends and well-wishers had resolved to prayers, hoping that the rapper would walk out of the hospital alive and in form. Doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) toiled day and night to save his life but all efforts proved abortive.

Dagrin was alone and on his way home in Agege, after receiving a call that he had a guest waiting for him. We gathered that he kept calling his house asking them not to lock the gate that he was on his way back. Time check relays that he actually ran into a stationary truck 2 minutes after the call and this was around 2am, in front of Alakara Police Station, off Agege Motor road, Mushin, Lagos.

An eyewitness revealed that, minutes before the accident, the truck driver who was carrying cement was negotiating a request of N12, 000 by the men of the Police force when they heard a loud bang. The bang was from Dagrin’s car, Nissan Maxima. The fast rising rapper was initially rushed to Tai Solarin Hospital (Baba Olosha Bus stop, Mushin), but later transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba at the intensive care unit.

At the hospital, we gathered that the rapper was later tied to the bed because he kept making efforts to move, each time he recognized any of his visitors. Crisis started in the early hours of Thursday, April 22, 2010 when the rapper went into coma again. His heart reportedly stopped beating later as the doctors ran helter-skelter to revive him. The recuperating machine was used 9 times on him but to no avail. And he died…

The outpouring of emotions that followed is unbelievable for a rapper who only recorded his first hit few months before death came calling. He hadn’t won any major awards or headlined any major concerts. Unlike 2face Idibia, who was already a bonafide star when he was first attacked in 2005, and when he was shot in 2007, Dagrin was, until his death, an emerging star riding on the  success of hits like ‘Pon pon pon’ and ‘Kondo’ to plant himself in the A-league.

Dagrin was underground for years, struggling to make his voice heard. If anyone important looked his way until last year, they didn’t look for too long. Compared to Lord of Ajasa (who also raps in Yoruba), not many gave Dagrin a chance. It’s remarkable that the underrated rapper went on to record one of the most successful rap albums of the past decade. And, determined to rip the benefits of his labour, he tried to play a fast one o death; holding tight to life – for all eight days,when death kept calling; before giving up eventually

The Car That Took His Life…

The Maxima sedan offers two rims, its luxury SL offers heated leather seats, power front seats, a 6-CD player, wood and leather accents, xenon headlights, and 17-inch wheels. The sportier SE comes with sport seats, a CD player, leather trim, and a good-sized rear spoiler. Both trims are fueled by a 255-hp, 3.5-liter DOHC V6 and CVT transmission, which allow for smooth, seamless shifting. It also comes with ABS brakes, dual front-side and side curtain airbags, traction control, and a tire monitor with stability control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and parking sensors available as options. Both the SE and SL is the Sky View full-length sunroof, xenon lamps and parking sensors with a heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, and memory settings for the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and mirrors. Some other luxury options include a navigation system, heated rear seats, and an MP3 player.