Dagrin, my biggest music regret – Ayo Shonaiya

Music executive, entertainment lawyer and filmmaker, Ayo Shonaiya, has opened up about the one decision he regrets most in his career — turning down late Nigerian rapper, Dagrin.

Shonaiya shared the emotional story in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he recalled how his then personal assistant, Destiny, introduced Dagrin to him at a hotel in Opebi, Lagos.

According to him, Destiny had insisted Dagrin was going to be the next big thing in hip-hop, especially with his raw Yoruba punchlines. They sat by the swimming pool, and Destiny played a few rough demos from a CD player.

However, Shonaiya admitted he was “not really feeling it like that,” and passed on the opportunity to manage the young rapper. They took a photo and parted ways.

“Less than a year later, he had made Kondo, produced by a young producer named Sarz,” Shonaiya wrote. “I bumped into him again at Tee-A’s Lounge behind the Headies office off Allen Avenue in Ikeja. He made sure he reminded me that I passed on him. Lol.”

Shonaiya said they took another picture that night and he was truly happy for Dagrin’s success.

Sadly, that would be the last time they met before Dagrin’s untimely death in 2010 after a fatal car accident.

“Rest in peace Dagrin,” Shonaiya added. “Only God knows the heights you would have reached.”

Dagrin, born Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, is remembered as one of Nigeria’s most significant rappers.

His hit songs like Pon Pon Pon and Kondo played a major role in bringing Yoruba rap into mainstream popularity.

His death at the age of 25 left the music industry in shock and is still considered one of the biggest losses in Nigerian music history.