Segge Dan
Born to Nigerian parents in multi-cultural London, Segge Dan’s identity has shaped his outlook and music. He is comfortable with being African, British and Black British as this has only served to enrich him and broaden his horizon. It’s this experience that has led him to create a movement which means irrespective of race, religion, politics or nation: LOVE IS LOVE.
Innovative and entrepreneurial, Segge Dan has always sought to push the boundaries in Hip Hop using an eclectic range of musical styles. Starting with the joint label he set up (Abduction) with long-time collaborator Daddy Ash, they fused High-Life and Hip Hop for the single Street Pastor (2000) and the next single was a UK underground classic Spaghetti Junction (2002), where six MCs ‘repped their ends’ including Skinnyman and Skeme. Segge Dan and Daddy Ash teamed up as Black Britanyaa to release the conceptually brilliant album The Windrush Volume 2 (2008)
As journalist, Derek. A .Bardwell, (The Voice) says, “Originality - you have to give it up to Segge Dan, Daddy Ash, and the whole Abduction crew, they’re always trying something new whether it be in the themes or in the music they use.”
Now Segge Dan has set up a new label, B’3 music, and the motto is: Be U, Be True - B’3. His mission is to get people to be themselves and just be free so that they can fulfill their potential and ultimately just be love. As the artist’s lyrics states: “Love is love king king love is love, from the soul within to the soul above.” This ethos is understood further in the type of artists that he list as his influences - artistic giants such as Common, Marvin Gaye, Talib Kweli and Fela Kuti, to name but a few. His musical tastes ranges from Hip Hop (obviously) to Salsa to Soulful House to Motown.
Segge Dan is not your stereotypical rapper: He’s been a college lecturer and a mentor to vulnerable young people. He is also heavily involved in charity work and is the chairman of a charity called ADAP (African Development for Progress) which works on development projects in The Gambia and Ghana; he also supports numerous charities including UK based ACLT (African Carribean Leukemia Trust). This is something he is passionate about as he believes if something is wrong we need to be part of the solution (i.e. do something) and not part of the problem (i.e. complaining).
“My music is heartfelt and from the soul. I want it to move people to feel something; encourage people to be something and inspire people to do something cos at the end of the day love is love.”
Welcome to SeggeDan.com
Hey wassup people and welcome to my world of music, lyrics and life.
I am a music artist, educator and active charity worker. I use music as a way to engage young people in areas such as Literacy and Life skills and I chair a charity that is working on development projects in Africa. I can tell you I’ve been on a field trip and it certainly keeps you grounded.
I don’t do mainstream Hip Hop, I like to push the musical boundaries like The Roots or a Kanye West. Add the social commentary of Talib Kweli and the soul of a Common then you get an idea of Segge Dan.
My whole ethos is LOVE is LOVE like don’t worry about the stresses of life or sweat the small stuff because more often than not they will work themselves out.
I want my music to inspire people to FEEL something, DO something and BE something. Feel - whether laugh, cry, think or dance. Do - instead of talking just actually do something. Be - be love and be your potential.
Hope you enjoy the music and the site and don’t forget to spread the word!
Black Britanyaa - Windrush Vol.2
