Dare Fasasi, known professionally as Baba Dee, is a Swedish-Nigerian movie director, and dancehall artiste.[1][2] He was the older brother of Nigerian singer-songwriter, Sound Sultan,[3] with whom he founded a record label named Naija Ninja Entertainment Production Company.[4] Baba Dee's music career began with the release of his debut album in 1997.[5]
Education & career
Baba Dee earned a bachelor's degree in theatre arts from the University of Ibadan,[6] and a master's degree in directing for stage and feature film.[7] His first shot at music was the Lekki Splash Talent Hunt where he competed against nine other contestants and won in 1995.[6] His win also included a recording contract that ushered him into Nigeria's music industry, after which he secured another recording contract with Astro Entertainment in Sweden, by which he toured Europe with other artistes.[8][9]
In a 2014 interview, he revealed that he doesn't use sex in promoting his music.[10]
Baba Dee directed his first movie, Head Gone, in 2014.[11] The movie, which was co-produced with his younger brother, Sound Sultan,[12] featured Nigerian singer Tuface, Alibaba Akpobome, Basketmouth , Eniola Badmus, Akpororo, among others [13][14]Head Gone also premiered in Sweden and Berlin in 2014, and is reportedly the first Nollywood film made by a Swedish director.[15]
In 2013, Baba Dee revealed his intention to contest for membership of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Oriade Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2, in Nigeria's 2015 General Election.[8] He was also a member of the board of the Copyright Society of Nigeria.[16]
Personal life
Baba Dee was the older brother to Nigerian singer and instrumentalist, Sound Sultan , who died on 11 July 2021.[17]
At a tribute to his late brother in July 2021, he tried to reconcile twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, a music duo of the defunct P-Square who had been feuding.[18]
He has a son of mixed race named Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi.[2]