According to a report by Punch Newspaper, on Friday, May 8, 2026, sixteen years after the tragic passing of indigenous rap pioneer Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, popularly known as DaGrin, his mother, Mrs. Falilat Olaonipekun, has spoken out against those she claims have exploited her son’s death for personal gain.
Mrs. Olaonipekun expressed deep-seated hurt over how the rapper’s family has been sidelined during years of commemorations and tribute events organized by outsiders.
DaGrin, whose raw lyrical talent transformed the Nigerian music industry, died in April 2010 following a fatal car accident.
Since then, his anniversary has been marked annually by fans and industry players alike.
However, his mother alleges that many of these gatherings were organized without the family’s consent or involvement.
She noted that while the public saw these events as acts of remembrance, the family viewed them as a form of exclusion.
“A lot of people will sympathize with you, but it’s all because of what they can gain from you,” she stated in the video. “16 years ago after my son’s death, some people organized the remembrance and tribute gathering on social media, but they did not involve us, his family. They did it on their own.”
Mrs. Olaonipekun’s remarks shed light on the often-strained relationship between the families of deceased icons and the entertainment industry.
She suggested that the sympathy displayed by many was a façade used to leverage DaGrin’s enduring fame and brand for their own visibility or profit.
Reflecting on the sincerity of those who have reached out over the last decade and a half, she offered a blunt assessment:
“Most people are not real sympathizers.”
Despite the family’s grievances, DaGrin’s influence remains a cornerstone of the Nigerian street-hop genre.
His sophomore album, C.E.O., continues to be cited as a classic that paved the way for artists like Olamide, Phyno, and Reminisce.
However, for Mrs. Olaonipekun, the 16th anniversary of his passing is a reminder of the isolation the family has felt.
By speaking out now, she highlights a growing concern regarding the commercialization of grief and calls for more respect and inclusion of the family in activities meant to honor the late rapper’s memory.
Watch the video starting from 1:24 to 1:36
