{{Short description|Nigerian singer-songwriter and producer (born 1994)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = 1da Banton | image = | caption = | birth_name = Godson Ominibie Epelle | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|6|27}} | birth_place = Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria | genre = {{flatlist| * Afro-fusion * Afrobeats }} | occupation = {{flatlist| * Singer * songwriter * Record producer }} | years_active = 2015–present | label = Squareball Entertainment }}
'''Godson Ominibie Epelle''', professionally known as '''1da Banton''', (born 27 June 1994) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer who is best known for his 2021 song "No Wahala", which was remixed and re-released in 2022, featuring Nigerian musicians Kizz Daniel and Tiwa Savage.
== Background and career == 1da Banton was born and raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He studied civil engineering, but dropped out to pursue a career in music. In 2014, he relocated to Lagos after being signed by Squareball Entertainment.
1da Banton started producing music following the death of his mother in 2008.<ref name="African Folder">{{Cite web |last=Anifowose |first=Bomi |date=2023-07-03 |title=1da Banton: The Afropop Machine |url=https://africanfolder.com/1da-banton-the-afropop-machine/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=African Folder |language=en-UK}}</ref> In July 2017, he released his debut extended play (EP) titled ''The Banton EP''. One of the EP's songs, "Way Up", was used as the theme song for the third season of ''Big Brother Naija''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Nwafor |date=2022-03-08 |title=1da Banton: The journey thus far |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/1da-banton-the-journey-thus-far/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-10-24 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref> He gained global recognition after the release of "No Wahala", which was one of the tracks on his album ''Original Vibe Machine'', released in 2021. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken listed the song among his 2021 Spotify playlist favorite songs of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=2021-12-31 |title=Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Unveils His 2021 Playlist |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/anthony-blinken-playlist-spotify-1234902920/ |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, 1da Banton released a remix of "No Wahala" which featured Kizz Daniel and Tiwa Savage. He has also collaborated with Jamaican singer Kranium, Ghanaian dancehall musician Stonebwoy, and Nigerian artists Zlatan, Seyi Shay and Blaqbonez.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Omotoso |first=Idris |date=2022-01-18 |title=1da Banton, The Success Story Behind "No Wahala" |url=https://soundcity.tv/1da-banton-the-success-story-behind-no-wahala/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Soundcity |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2023, "No Wahala" was featured on the third season of the American comedy drama series ''Ted Lasso''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/1da-banton-beyonce-wizkid-tekno-feature-on-the-theme-music-for-ted-lasso-season-3/vtb13v0|title=Wizkid, 1da Banton, Tekno feature on the theme song for 'Ted Lasso' Season 3| date=27 March 2023|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref>
On 10 April 2023, "No Wahala" surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, making it one of the most streamed Afrobeat songs on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/1da-bantons-no-wahala-surpasses-100-million-streams-on-spotify/xf11g79|title=1da Banton's 'No Wahala' surpasses 100 million streams on Spotify| date=12 April 2023|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref>
In 2024, Banton recorded "Holy Man" and "Evidence" with Bella Shmurda, {{YouTube|id=fClXeoPBtUs&pp=ygULMWRhIGJhbnRvbiA%3D|title=Holy Man}} and {{YouTube|id=4UtOkeFj4e8|title=Evidence}} and "Best Life" with Desiigner {{YouTube|id=5JzsAbsi-es|title=Best Life}}.
== Discography == '''Studio albums''' *''Original Vibe Machine'' (2021)
'''Extended plays''' *''The Banton EP'' (2017) *''1da Shall Never End'' (2023)
'''Singles''' *"Love Her Daily" (2016) *"Farabale" (2019) *"Whine fi Mi" (featuring Kranium) (2019) *"Foreigner" (2020) *"African Woman" (2020) *"Same Girl" (2020) *"Shenor" (2020) *"No Wahala" (2021) <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theafricareport.com/222486/nigerias-1da-banton-the-artist-behind-the-tiktok-hit-no-wahala/| title=Nigeria’s 1da Banton: The artist behind the TikTok hit ‘No Wahala’|date=15 July 2022| website=Africa Report| access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> *"No Wahala" (remix) (featuring Kizz Daniel and Tiwa Savage) (2022) *"Summer Love" (2022) *"Holy Man" (2024) *"Evidence" (2024) *"Best Life" (2024)
'''As featured artist''' *"Faaji" – Blaqbonez featuring Bad Boy Timz and 1Da Banton (''Sex Over Love'', 2021)
== Awards and nominations == {| class ="sortable wikitable" |- !scope="col" | Year !scope="col" | Event !scope="col" | Prize !scope="col" | Recipient !scope="col" | Result !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- |rowspan="1"|2021 |The Beatz Awards 2021 |Best song of the year |"Blaisebeatz (No Wahala)" {{ref label|id5|A|1}} |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nwafor |date=2022-10-24 |title=Beatz Awards unveils 2022 categories, nominees |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/10/beatz-awards-unveils-2022-categories-nominees/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-10-25 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |rowspan="1"|2023 |Soundcity MVP Awards Festival |Digital Artiste of the Year |Self |{{Nom}} |<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/01/full-list-soundcity-mvp-awards-2023-nominates-burna-boy-wizkid-asake/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Full list: Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 nominates Burna Boy, Wizkid, Asake| date=20 January 2023|newspaper=Vanguard|access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> |}
== Selected production credits == "Barrawo" by Ajebo hustlers<ref name=":0" />
"Barrawo" (remix) by Ajebo hustlers featuring Davido<ref>{{Cite web |last=DEJI |first=OG |date=2020-12-22 |title=[Music] Ajebo Hustlers Ft. Davido — Barawo (Remix) |url=https://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/download-music/ajebo-hustlers-ft-davido-barawo-remix |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Naijaloaded {{!}} Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{DEFAULTSORT:Banton, 1da}} Category:21st-century Nigerian musicians Category:Musicians from Port Harcourt Category:Singers from Port Harcourt Category:People from Port Harcourt Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Rivers State