D’Banj revealed that 2Face Idibia predicted his 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards win before the ceremony. According to him, 2Face said if award organizers called him days before the show to prepare outfits, it meant he had already won. D’Banj later won the Best African Act award, and the story has sparked nostalgia among Afrobeats fans online.
Nigerian music star D’Banj has shared a memorable story about how legendary singer 2Face Idibia predicted his victory at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in 2007 before the official announcement.
The story has sparked reactions online, especially among Afrobeats fans who remember the era when Nigerian artists started gaining major international recognition.
What Did D’Banj Say About 2Face and the EMAs?
According to D’Banj, he reached out to 2Face before attending the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards because 2Face had already experienced winning the award before him.
D’Banj recalled that 2Face gave him a simple tip that later turned out to be true.
“When I was going for the EMAs in 2007 I called 2face because he had won it before and he said:
‘If they call you 2 days before the award say make you wear wetin you wan wear come somewhere, you don win be that’
Eventually, they called me and I went there with Sunday Are.”
The statement quickly caught attention on social media because it gave fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at how award shows sometimes operate.
Watch the video clip below…
Which Award Did D’Banj Win at the EMAs?
D’Banj won the Best African Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2007.
At the time, the achievement was a huge moment for Nigerian music. International platforms were just beginning to pay serious attention to Afrobeats and African entertainers.
The award helped push D’Banj further into global conversations and strengthened his reputation as one of the leading African artists of that era.
Related: D’Banj Opens Up About Losing His Son, Mo’Hits Breakup, and Finding Peace With Family
Why Is This Story Trending?
Many fans are talking about the story because it connects two major figures in Nigerian music history.
2Face Idibia, now known as 2Baba, had already opened international doors for Nigerian artists before D’Banj’s rise. Hearing D’Banj explain how 2Face guided him before the award has reminded many people about the relationship older artists had within the industry.
Some fans also found the story funny because of how confidently 2Face predicted the outcome.
Who Is Sunday Are Mentioned by D’Banj?
Sunday Are is a respected Nigerian entertainment manager who has worked with several major artists in the music industry.
D’Banj mentioned attending the event with him after receiving the call that hinted at his win.
Music fans familiar with the Nigerian entertainment business know Sunday Are as one of the industry figures who played important roles behind the scenes during the growth of Afrobeats.
What Did 2Face Mean by “You Don Win Be That”?
The phrase basically meant that if the award organizers contacted D’Banj shortly before the show and told him to prepare specific outfits or arrangements, it was likely a sign that he had already won the category.
Fans online believe 2Face was speaking from experience since he had already gone through the process himself.
Why Was the 2007 EMA Win Important for Nigerian Music?
Back in 2007, international recognition for Nigerian artists was not as common as it is today.
Streaming platforms were not dominating music yet, and African artists had fewer global opportunities compared to now.
D’Banj’s EMA victory became one of the moments that helped increase global awareness of Nigerian music and Afrobeats culture.
The success also added to the growing international reputation built by artists like 2Face, P-Square, and others during that period.
Fans React to D’Banj’s Story
After the interview clip surfaced online, many fans praised the friendship and support between older Nigerian artists.
Some social media users described the story as proof that experienced artists often know how award systems work behind the scenes.
Others simply enjoyed hearing old-school music stories from the early Afrobeats era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did D’Banj really win an MTV EMA award in 2007?
Yes. D’Banj won the Best African Act category at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2007.
Who told D’Banj he was going to win?
According to D’Banj, 2Face Idibia told him that if award organizers contacted him shortly before the ceremony, it likely meant he had already won.
Who is 2Face Idibia?
2Face Idibia, also known as 2Baba, is one of Nigeria’s most influential musicians and one of the pioneers of modern Afrobeats.
Why are people discussing this story online?
Fans enjoy hearing stories from the early days of Afrobeats, especially moments involving major artists like D’Banj and 2Face.
What are the MTV Europe Music Awards?
The MTV Europe Music Awards, often called the EMAs, are international music awards organized by MTV to celebrate artists from different regions around the world.
D’Banj and 2Face’s Legacy in Afrobeats
D’Banj and 2Face remain two of the biggest names connected to the global rise of Nigerian music.
Long before Afrobeats became a worldwide movement, artists from their generation were already pushing African music onto international stages and winning major awards abroad.
Stories like this continue to remind fans how far Nigerian entertainment has grown over the years.
Reported by Anything Celebrity – Nigeria’s hub for entertainment gist and celebrity updates.
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