‘I do not belong to the illuminati’ – D’banj

'Illuminati' [ih-loo-muh-nah-tee]: A name that refers to a purported conspiratorial organization which is alleged to mastermind events and control world affairs through governments and corporations to establish a New World Order.

What does that scary definition have to do with a Nigerian pop star who says he is determined to make Nigerian music known far and wide? A lot, according to some people.

Dapo 'D'banj' Oyebanjo, on Friday October 5, 2012, during an interview on the 'Morning Show' at popular urban radio station BEAT 99.9 FM, was asked – 'Are you a member of the Illuminati'? He calmly denied ever being a member of the 'secret organization' but we can't help but wonder why he was even asked the question.

THE GENESIS

The talk about D'banj supposedly joining the Illuminati started in the wee hours of the morning of Tuesday, March 1, 2011 when G.O.O.D Music boss Kanye West tweeted at former Mo'Hits label partners Don Jazzy and D'banj, asking them to 'get back to New York' as they had to wrap up some work. Over the next few months, tongues began wagging and insinuations made – that D'banj and Don Jazzy had 'sold their souls' to the Illuminati for fame and fortune.

INHERITED PROBLEMS

So how exactly did D'banj and Don Jazzy 'sell their souls and join the Illuminati'? 'You know Kanye is a member of the Illuminati, him and Jay Z, so as D'banj joined them, he has washed his hands in trouble', an upcoming Lagos based artiste says.

And how does he know Kanye West and Jay Z are members of the Illuminati? The response: 'Why are you talking like this now? I watched DVDs and read about their evils ways on the internet, so automatically, D'banj too is a member.'

HOW THE CASE WORSENED

The internet can be an educational tool, but with no barriers to curtail false or poorly proved accusations, everyone's opinions on their blogs, Twitter and Facebook pages are, to a large extent, taken as facts – So people began writing out their opinions and many readers swallowed it hook, line and sinker. An 'Oliver' dance competition video which went viral over the next few weeks worsened the matter – a blog 'Wazobia Report' published a lengthy article written by a 'Jowo Mabinu' (which means 'please don't get/be angry) titled 'D'Banj and Mo'Hits records crew in Illuminati plot to turn the nation gay' which was culled by several other blogs.

HOW DON JAZZY GOT OFF THE HOOK

With the Mo'Hits split, and D'banj essentially relocating, to be closer to the G.O.O.D Music camp, it was more fodder for the D'banj-Kanye-Illuminati theorists. 'Don Jazzy pulled out, he fears God, as for D'banj, there's no coming back for him', another upcoming artiste friend tells us.

SO WHICH OTHER NIGERIAN ARTISTES ARE 'ILLUMINATI MEMBERS'?

D'banj isn't the only scape goat. The 'secret organization' theorists have also taken it upon themselves to mention some other Nigerian artistes who have allegedly joined the Illuminati. Psquare, who signed with Akon have also been hit by critics for 'selling their souls.'

'Psquare released that Rick Ross video the same time their mother died. Mr. Reporter; I'm surprised you can't put two and two together.'

EMBRACE THE LIGHT

Denying the rumours might not help; in fact, not commenting only raises suspicion, which might improve record sales and buzz around the artiste – a move made by Jay Z, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna, who are constantly bashed with Illuminati claims.

You don't see them running to radio stations to deny any accusations, do you?

-ThenetNG