Dare Fasasi, known professionally as Baba Dee, is a Swedish-Nigerian movie director, and dancehall artiste.[1][2] He was the older brother of Nigerian singer-songwriter, Sound Sultan,[3] with whom he founded a record label named Naija Ninja Entertainment Production Company.[4] Baba Dee's music career began with the release of his debut album in 1997.[5]

Baba Dee
Dare Fasasi
Background information
Occupation(s)Movie director, dancehall artiste
Years active1995 - present

Education & career

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Baba Dee earned a bachelor's degree in theatre arts from the University of Ibadan,[6] and a master's degree in directing for stage and feature film.[7] His first shot at music was the Lekki Splash Talent Hunt where he competed against nine other contestants and won in 1995.[6] His win also included a recording contract that ushered him into Nigeria's music industry, after which he secured another recording contract with Astro Entertainment in Sweden, by which he toured Europe with other artistes.[8][9]

In a 2014 interview, he revealed that he doesn't use sex in promoting his music.[10]

Baba Dee directed his first movie, Head Gone, in 2014.[11] The movie, which was co-produced with his younger brother, Sound Sultan,[12] featured Nigerian singer Tuface, Alibaba Akpobome, Basketmouth, Eniola Badmus, Akpororo, among others [13][14]Head Gone also premiered in Sweden and Berlin in 2014, and is reportedly the first Nollywood film made by a Swedish director.[15]

In 2013, Baba Dee revealed his intention to contest for membership of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Oriade Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2, in Nigeria's 2015 General Election.[8] He was also a member of the board of the Copyright Society of Nigeria.[16]

Personal life

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Baba Dee was the older brother to Nigerian singer and instrumentalist, Sound Sultan, who died on 11 July 2021.[17]

At a tribute to his late brother in July 2021, he tried to reconcile twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, a music duo of the defunct P-Square who had been feuding.[18]

He has a son of mixed race named Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi.[2]

Filmography

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  • Head Gone (2014) - Director [11]

Discography

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Studio albums

  • Stand 4 Road (2018)[19]
  • Boom Box (2014)[20]
  • Versatile (2007)
  • Most Wanted (1997)[5]

Singles & EPs

  • Daggarin, feat. Jaycii (2019) [19]
  • All About You (2017) [19]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2007 The Headies Best Reggae/Dancehall Album Versatile Won [21]
2013 The Headies Best Reggae/Dancehall Single "Go Down" Nominated [22]

References

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  1. ^ Radio, Sveriges. "First Nollywood film produced by Swedish director - Radio Sweden". sverigesradio.se. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  2. ^ a b "Veteran artiste shows off cute son". Pulse Nigeria. 2015-04-01. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  3. ^ "Baba Dee to Sound Sultan: Even in death, you're a symbol of grace". TheCable Lifestyle. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  4. ^ "OBITUARY: Sound Sultan, the 'naija ninja' and basketball aficionado who taught 'BODMAS' in a song". TheCable. 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  5. ^ a b "Baba Dee is a year older today". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2015-11-11. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  6. ^ a b "Baba Dee is a year older today". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2015-11-11. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  7. ^ "Directors | African Film Festival, Inc". Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  8. ^ a b "My passion for music is waning - Baba Dee". Vanguard News. 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  9. ^ "Baba Dee shows off his son, Tunde". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2014-09-16. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  10. ^ "I don't use sex as propaganda to sell my music - BabaDee". Vanguard News. 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  11. ^ a b "Fasasi, Dare | African Film Festival, Inc". Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  12. ^ "2face, Sound Sultan to tour Europe in promotion of 'Head Gone'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  13. ^ "Basketmouth, 2Face Idibia Set To Star In New Comedy Film Full Of Africa's Biggest Stars". Sahara Reporters. 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  14. ^ "All-star in Baba Dee's Head Gone movie". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2014-12-13. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  15. ^ Radio, Sveriges. "First Nollywood film produced by Swedish director - Radio Sweden". sverigesradio.se. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  16. ^ eventnewsafrica; eventnewsafrica (2015-08-28). "Police IG assures COSON of full support in the war against copyright theft". Eventnews Africa. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  17. ^ "Veteran Singer Sound Sultan Dies At Age 44". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  18. ^ "Baba Dee Begs P-Square To Reunite, Ends Tubaba And Blackface's 'Beef'". Channels Television. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  19. ^ a b c "Baba Dee on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  20. ^ "Baba Dee warms up for album release". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  21. ^ "Past Winners of HHWA". Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  22. ^ "Olamide, Phyno win big at The Headies 2013". MSN Entertainment Nigeria. 30 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.