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| DTone Martins
From
Rhythm Unplugged to MTN Campus Jam; from Black Heritage Festival to Felabration;
from the Hanger Lane Exhibition to Coca-Cola Road to the 2010 World Cup (the
list is endless), DTone Martin is the epitome of good music. His singles, “Sunkun
Ife” and “Ife Gbagbara” will be premiered on December 2, 2011. He is one of the
most developed talents of Nigerian extraction. He belongs to the breed of
artistes that skillfully lace music with traditional folk coloration,
well-versed lyrics and seductive melody. As a result of his outstanding
performances, he has garnered an increasing teeming population of amiable fans.
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DTone
Martins played with a jazz band called Jazz 38 with Tunde Kuboye. He also
formed a band, "The Wave Jazz Band", with some friends. Out of
hundreds of artistes, he emerged second runner-up at Rhythm Unplugged 2008. He
received a Rooftop 1824 CAM Awards 2007 for the distinction of his music
performance. DTone Martins participated in West African Idol which gave him the
exposure of international acts.
In
“Sunkun Ife”, DTone Martins sings about an immeasurable love which cannot be
compared to anything imaginable; the love that triumphs over all barriers. In “Ife
Gbagbara”, he sings about how love is no respecter of persons. As much as the
subject matter of the songs is captivating, DTone Martins’ pitch, voice
quality, word combination, his rhythm and his flow are exceptional. He
co-produced the two singles with Daniel Iyere, P loop and Fatt Beat.
Born to a Jazzist father and chorister mother,
at his birth, the course of DTone’s life seemed to have been automatically
locked in music. “I never knew I was going to become a soul singer, even when I
started singing, I just thought I could do something exceptional”, DTone
Martins says. The name, “DTone” is an artistic way of expressing his real name,
Tony Dolapo Martins. “D” in DTone stands for “Dolapo”; it is to be interpreted
as Dolapo’s Tone. The Business Administration graduate of Universal College of
Technology, Osun State, believes that a song is good if its impact on people’s
lives is nothing short of positive; if its lyrics is good, well arranged and
properly produced.
DTone
Martins started singing in 1997. In 2001, he decided to make a career out of
it. “I first sang in public during my secondary school days, it was the end of
a session party. My colleagues were amazed at my performance.” He is definitely
worth listening to because he is original. He loves music so much that he says
“If I had chosen any other career, life would have been so boring to me.” He
effectively combines being a singer with being an audience-captivating live performer,
excellent composer, brilliant storyteller, motivational speaker and lyrical poet.
“When I was younger, I was fond of staying quiet and wondering what life could
be if I was not born. The things I often think about are older than me”, DTone Martins
says.
Always
performing in sync with his guitar, bringing out the depth of his unique
soulful R'n'B rhythm, all of DTone’s performances have been to resounding rounds
of applause from the audience. Having shared the same stage with Dagrin, Dj
Zeez, MI, Banky W, 2Face Idibia, 9ice, Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti and P-Square, DTone
Martins knows his onions. Sometime in future, DTone Martins hopes to have
collaborations with 2Face, Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti, Asa, John Legend, R. Kelly,
Shade Adu and Seal.
Asked
about the song he liked so such that he wished he sang, he answers “I wish I
wrote Owuro L’ojo by Beautiful Nubia, and Kiss from the Rose by Seal.” Speaking
on what makes him different from other musicians, he says “My talent, passion
and intellect enthrone me as a worthy and prospective ambassador of Nigerian
arts and culture. My work tenets are also hinged on values rooted in
professionalism, excellence, integrity and hard work.” One of DTone’s highest
aspirations is to receive the Grammy.
DTone Martins has
also performed at the Colossal Entertainment Live Band Evolution Concert; the Nigerian
Fashion Show Event; Celebrating Nollywood Star Show; Branding of Ondo State
Concert; Princes Show at Muson Centre; LTV XMAS Fun Fair 2009; and An Evening
with Chimamanda Adichie but to mention a few.
From
Friday, December 2, 2011, when the songs will be premiered, you will be able
download the songs here.
