King Don Come is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer and rapper D'banj. It was released on 25 August 2017 by DB Records and DKM Media and features guest appearances from Wande Coal, Gucci Mane, Harrysong, Phyno, Busiswa, Bucie and Kayswitch.[1] The album was mainly produced by Cheekychizzy, along with additional production from Killertunes, Don Jazzy, Shizzi, Dr. Amir, Maleek Berry and Ploops.[2] The album houses the singles, "Oliver Twist", "Emergency", "It's Not a Lie", "Be With You", and "El Chapo".
Background and singles
The album was first announced to be released on 7 July 2017, but was then delayed for unknown reasons.[3] The lead single "Oliver Twist" was released in Nigeria on 12 August 2011,[4] and in the United Kingdom on 11 May 2012. The song was produced by Don Jazzy, and the music video for "Oliver Twist" was released on 18 March 2012 and was directed by Sesan. The video features cameos from Kanye West, will.i.am, Big Sean, Mannie Fresh, Pusha T among others.[5] The second single "Emergency" was produced by Ploops and released on 8 January 2016.[6] The music video for "Emergency" was released on 16 February 2016 and directed by Unlimited L.A and D'Banj.[7] The third single "It's Not a Lie" features Harrysong and Wande Coal and was produced by Cheekychizzy and Dr. Amir. The song was released on 11 June 2017, and the music video was shot and directed by Patrick Elis in Los Angeles.[8][9] The fourth single "Be With You" was released on 28 July 2017.[10] The fifth single "El Chapo" features Gucci Mane and Wande Coal and was released on 25 August 2017. The song was produced by Maleek Berry and the music video was directed by Eif Rivera.[11]
Critical reception
King Don Come received mixed reviews from critics. Chiagoziem of Filterfree.ng highlighted D'banj's pioneering role in the global recognition of Afropop, comparing him to John the Baptist for paving the way for stars like Wizkid, Davido, and Mr Eazi. While praising his comeback with the hit single "Emergency", the review pointed out that King Don Come carried an air of self-importance, with tracks like "Focus" and "It's Not a Lie" reflecting his need to assert his standing in the industry. The production by Cheekychizzy was lauded for its cohesion, though D'banj’s insecurity was noted as a key thematic element throughout the project.[12] Umar Hassan of YNaija emphasized D'banj’s ability to thrive off his brand rather than his music, pointing out that despite an underwhelming catalog in recent years, his star power remains potent. The review praised tracks like "It’s Not a Lie" for D'banj’s effort to improve his craft, but criticized songs like "Be With You" for highlighting his vocal limitations. "El Chapo", featuring Gucci Mane and Wande Coal, was deemed a standout track, though "Egweji", featuring Phyno, was seen as a failed effort.[13] Debola Abimbolu of the Native recognized D'banj’s long-standing reputation as an entertainer who defies categorization. The review appreciated his versatility and praised the album’s balance between nostalgia and reinvention. Tracks like "It’s Not A Lie" and "Ntswempu" were celebrated for blending past success with modern production, while songs like "El Chapo" were acknowledged for pushing boundaries, even if the violent narrative seemed far-fetched. The album was commended for its cohesion despite having several pre-released tracks, with the review concluding that King Don Come succeeded in demonstrating D'banj’s ability to entertain, even after years in the industry.[14]
