Paul Play

The most creative musician in recent times in the Nigerian music industry. His cocktail of genres from western world R&B and Rap To traditional Highlife music and Juju music is responsible for his unmatchable uniqueness. Paul started as a producer, songwriter and back up vocalist before hitting the limelight.



Born to a great Nigerian music legend, Late I.K. Dairo M.B.E., who was the only musician to be honoured by Queen Elizabeth II in Africa in the sixties, Paul Babatunde Dairo is unquestionably, a chip of the old block. He joined "le griffe" an R&B group with his brother and cousin, Banji and Henry Dairo (both late now) in the late eighties,

He vowed to keep the dream alive. He moved on to join other groups which include "De Klan", "Oxygen" and Pure Heart Impression. While with these groups, Paul was doubling as a jingle and soundtrack producer for advertising agencies and film producers not just that, he has also produced and worked with most of the upcoming artistes in Nigerian music scene and big names as well.



He went solo after fears of continuity with his last group to record his first album titled "Dairo Music Foundation Project" in 1999 featuring hit singles like; Mosorire Happy Day and Yes O! . The Album remains a timeless classic, popular amongst Nigerians and Africans in Diaspora. The album has sold over two million copies and is still selling till date. To keep the marriage between his irreplaceable passion for music and the legacy left behind by his father intact, his debut album is a unique blend of remaking his fathers old hits and his first love; R&B. Ive always wanted to make R&B evergreen songs as an artiste, but my father left so much behind in terms of his music and fans, so I thought it well to keep his fans happy and his style of music alive. Explains this endowed musician on his first solo album. Sincerely, his debut album reflected all of that cutting from the roots to the urban genres. The album became a delight for entertainment reporters, and music journalist. Which fetched Paul Play Dairo most of the Nigerian music and entertainment industry awards.



The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and first lady Chief Mrs. Stella Obasanjo are great lovers of Paul's music. He has performed for the first family more than any of his counterparts. His music has also been embraced by the elite as well as state Governors. His performance is rated first class at high brow events and he has also performed with international acts at major events. They include; Joe, Wyclef, Sean Paul and Shaggy just to mention a few. He has released two other albums "Project II" and "no. 1" these two albums were released in 2001 and 2003 respectively despite the intimidating factors affecting musicians in his country, he sold 1.5 million copies of Project II, and over 3 million copies of Number 1 Paul has worked with great producers and A&R in U.K. and U.S.A., after listening to "sacrifice" (song on the second alum) He was contacted through his partner Denitty by the management of Jimmy Cozier to write songs for his album. His works marveled the entire production team of a U.K. Management Company Starview Entertainment he was invited for a Producer/artiste deal in 2003.



The first promo single from this yet-to-be unmasked masterpiece titled Angel of my life is comfortably occupying the number one spot on major charts, enjoying airplay on radio stations in Nigeria and other parts of Africa while the promo video has remained the most requested by music lovers apart from facing a heavy rotation. He wrote, sang and produced all the songs on this album that is meant to define his musicality and his love for mainstream music. Some labels have shown interest in this album but he believes the right deal is yet to come.



With countless achievements in his country and beyond, Paul Play is still as humble and real as they come. The world waits for more as he is ready to give much more. His drive for music and creativity can only lead him to greater and better things. He epitomizes freedom of expression using mainstream music as a platform to exhibit the development of mainstream music in Nigeria, and Africa in general which should be embraced by the global music industry. Genuinely, he is the first Nigerian artiste to confidently come up with a mainstream album meant to break the language barrier, while creatively establishing the universality of music. With his mindset on the international scene, this workaholic remains unsatisfied until he conquers the world.



  I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)