1da Banton

1da Banton (born Godson Ominibie Epelle on 27 June 1994) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer best known for his global hit single “No Wahala.” Blending Afrobeats, dancehall and contemporary pop influences, he has become one of the notable modern voices emerging from Nigeria’s vibrant music scene.

1da Banton was born and raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Although he initially studied civil engineering, he eventually left university to pursue music full-time. His journey into music production began in 2008 following the death of his mother — a deeply personal turning point that led him toward creative expression. His professional breakthrough began in 2014 when he moved to Lagos after signing with Squareball Entertainment, giving him exposure to the heart of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

In July 2017, he released his debut extended play, The Banton EP. One of its standout tracks, “Way Up,” gained national attention when it was selected as the theme song for the third season of Big Brother Naija. This milestone introduced his sound to a wider audience and established him as a rising artist to watch. His debut studio album, Original Vibe Machine, followed in 2021 and featured the single “No Wahala,” a relaxed, mid-tempo anthem encouraging listeners to embrace a joyful, stress-free life.

“No Wahala” went on to achieve extraordinary international success. It was streamed widely across Africa and beyond, later appearing on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s 2021 Spotify playlist of favourite songs. In 2022, the track was re-released as a remix featuring Nigerian stars Kizz Daniel and Tiwa Savage, further cementing its popularity. The song continued to resonate globally and was later featured in the third season of the American television series Ted Lasso. In April 2023, “No Wahala” surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, placing it among the most-streamed Afrobeats songs worldwide.

Beyond this defining hit, 1da Banton has collaborated with a range of prominent African and international artists, including Kranium, Stonebwoy, Zlatan, Seyi Shay and Blaqbonez. His recent work includes the songs “Holy Man” and “Evidence” with Bella Shmurda, and “Best Life” with American rapper Desiigner, released in 2024.

Today, 1da Banton continues to expand his creative reach while remaining rooted in the rhythms and storytelling traditions of contemporary Nigerian music. His rise reflects both the global momentum of Afrobeats and the power of authentic, uplifting songwriting.

Source: Wikipedia – “1da Banton”

Image Source: 1da Banton Facebook (2023)