Durella, Hip Hop Music Icon’s Biography, Career Achievement & Legacy | Olamond NaijaTV Celebrity

Official Olamond Naija would not only be sharing Durella’s biography but also unveil his  talents, crafts, secrecy, achievements and other facts that are needed to be known by  his  credible fans.

Oluwadamilare Okulaja, popularly known as Durella(King of the Zanga) is a Nigerian recording artist, performer, songwriter and businessman. With his notable hit singles like “Enu Ose” “Shayo” “Wizkolo Wiska” “Club Rock” and “GaGa” featuring Wizkid, Durella is no doubt a part of the Nigerian music industry. He’s also featured with prominent stars like Dbanj, Femi Kuti, Duncan Mighty, Terry G, Olamide, and Dammy Krane, and has performed live with Wyclef Jean in South Africa. In 2008 Durella was awarded “MTV Base Advance Warning Artist” of the year. He also is the first Nigerian artiste to own a shoe line: Durellasneakers, named after his popular slogan “2Gbaski”. Durella issued his first debut album King Of The Zanga under TC- Record Label, and the second album, Reconfigurated.

Durella, real name Oluwadamilare, (meaning: The Lord has rewarded me) was born in Zaria, Kaduna State to Mr and Mrs Okulaja, he grew up in Mushin and Ajegunle, finished high school at Eyuba Boys Secondary School Mushin, proceeded to the Lagos State Polytechnic .

When asked how the name Durella came about he said the street gave it to him, the nickname at some point he was known as Durel but the street had to change it to Durella. Whilst he was known as Durel, he used to be an R’n’B artiste and he had a single titled “Why” even though he tried to promote it, he got negative feed backs from fans that he wasn’t meant for R’n’B and that it wasn’t his calling.

In February 2006, at a chance meeting in the town of Ibadan, Durella met executives from TcRecords while performing at a fashion show and a deal was signed a week later. Durella wrote his first song at the age of 13 and his first album “The King of The Zanga” hailed as the best debut album that was notable in Nigeria with hits like “In the Zanga”, SHAYO, Gunner’s Anthem, Queen of My Zanga and Wiskolo Wiska all this were released in February 2008.

Still on the interview by CompassOnline news, he was quick to add that his other appellation is reflective of his roots. “The kind of music I play now is the music for the streets and I have termed it commercial universal street music, (if there is anything like that).”

Before he metamorphosed into Durella, Oluwadamilare tried his hands out on a number of things: from singing to rapping and he strove to become a jack of all trades, master of all. “I believe that a lot of changes have come now that I am Durella because a lot of people that I started with on the streets have moved on with life but I decided to stick to music.”

Commenting on his musical career, Durella said, “My mother has really been supportive of my career and i remember the early days when she would give me money to go for recording sessions because she knew that I had the talent.” When asked about his father, he first maintained silence, then said: “My father was never around so I wouldn’t want to talk about him.”

In continuation with his interview; He describes himself as a privileged human who is gradually climbing the ladder of success. “Nobody knew that I would be this successful because I grew up in the midst of untold hardship. I grew up with a lot of frustration and enemies were everywhere. Like my mother used to say, after darkness, light comes so I think am just one lucky Artiste.”

Singles:

* Enu Ose

* Wiskolowiska

* Club Rock

* Life In The Zanga

* Shayo

* My LIfe

* Tonight

* Mari (2015)

* Kack It Up (2015)

Collaborations: Durella has collaborated with various stars like:

* D’banj Ibadi E Featuring Olamide, Durella and Kay Switch

* Nkiruka featuring Duncan Mighty

* Buddy Hanging featuring Olamide

* My Life featuring Terry G

* Gaga Featuring Wizkid (2011)

* Jahbless – Joor Oh Remix Featuring Ice Prince, Reminisce, Durella, Ruggedman & Eldee (2011)

* Don’t Go Funny Featuring Timaya (2011)

* 2 Casket – Quest Featuring Durella (2013)

* HCode – Monster (Remix) Featuring Olamide, Durella, Dammy Krane & Shobzy and more.
As at this moment, 26th September 2024 Durella is still one of the highly recognized & highly paid iconic Hiphop musician. After performing at the D’banj’s 20years on stage, the music star announces his music tour that is expected to take place in the United Kingdom later this year 2024 .

The Music mogul is not the type of entertainer that exposes or talk about his family neither talk about his marital status.

Talking about  fashion & style, the legendary Durella is one hundred percent a top notch fashion guru. Whenever he determines to wear native, he gives his best, also when it comes to English wears the music star deliver greatly.