“The Pain Never Goes Away” — Dagrin’s Mother Speaks on 16 Years of Grief After Rapper’s Death

Sixteen years after the tragic death of Nigerian rap icon Dagrin, his mother has opened up about the deep pain the family still carries following his passing. Speaking in an emotional interview with Punch Newspapers, she revealed that the loss of a child is a wound that never truly heals, no matter how many years go by.

Reflecting on the death of her son, whose real name was Olaitan Oladapo Olaonipekun, she explained that the grief has remained with the family since the rapper died in 2010. According to her, the emotional pain continues to affect them daily, even after more than a decade.

She also alleged that after Dagrin’s death, many people approached the family with promises of support and assistance, including offers to help them secure better living conditions. However, she claimed that most of those promises were not sincere. She accused some individuals of using the late rapper’s name and the family’s painful situation to gain attention, relevance, and popularity, especially during tribute events and remembrance activities organised in his honour.

The grieving mother further described Dagrin as a kind and generous person who was always willing to help others while he was alive. Although she initially did not fully support his decision to pursue music, she eventually encouraged him and stood firmly behind his dreams as his career grew.

She disclosed that before his death, the rapper had spent a large part of his earnings assisting people around him, leaving very little financial support behind for the family. Despite this, she said she remains proud of the impact he made during his short but influential career.

Dagrin died on April 22, 2010, after suffering injuries from a car accident. He is still widely recognised as one of the pioneers of indigenous Yoruba rap music in Nigeria. Known for his street-inspired lyrics and unique sound, the rapper played a major role in shaping Nigeria’s hip-hop culture and continues to inspire a new generation of artists years after his passing.