Early Life & Background
- Daddy Showkey’s real name is John Odafe Asiemo (sometimes “John Asiemo”).
- He hails from the Olomoro Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area, in Delta State
- He was born and raised in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State, where he lived in a single‑room house with his mother and brothers.
- During his upbringing, he worked in the motor park (as a ticketer) before discovering music. He has said:
“I was working in the motor park as a ticketer when someone told me I have a good voice…”
- He has also recounted involvement with a gang during his younger years. In a podcast appearance he revealed that his gang was once captured and almost burnt by a mob in Lagos for armed robbery.
Rise to Fame & Musical Style
- Showkey became prominent in the late 1990s, especially in the Ajegunle music scene.
- His musical genre is often described as “galala” or “ghetto dance” music—a street style emanating from the Ajegunle ghettos of Lagos.
- The term “Galala” denotes a dance style and movement associated with his music:
“Galala was built from Reggae music… we searched for a name that can match the style and Galala fitted it perfectly.”
- He sings in pidgin English, catering to grassroots audiences, especially in Lagos ghettos.
Notable Works & Contributions
- Some of his well‑known singles include: “Fire Fire”, “Diana”, “The Name”, “Ghetto Soldier”, “The Chicken”, among others.
- His influence extends beyond just music: the galala dance and cultural expression in the ghettos owe partly to his emergence and popularisation. For example:
“The dance style is associated with ‘the ghetto’ of Ajegunle … Daddy Showkey is credited as the instigator of the dance.”
Trials, Hardships & Resilience
- Showkey has faced significant adversity:
- He was involved in a serious accident (injured spinal cord) and took a break from music.
- Upon his return, he claimed paid assassins targeted him; he says his house was raided and he was shot at at a filling station.
- He disclosed that during his youth he and a gang member were caught by a mob and one of the gang (“91A”) was burnt alive; Showkey escaped.
- Despite these, he has remained a voice for transformation: from motor‑park ticketer to music star; from street life to recognized artist. He has said:
“If I John can be alive today to become Daddy Showkey, there is nobody who can’t become someone.”
Business, Endorsements & Legacy
- In late 2018, Showkey was appointed brand ambassador for GOtv (under MultiChoice) to promote digital TV service in Nigeria.
- Showkey is also known for his iconic dreadlocks — he revealed in 2024 that he had kept dreadlocks for 29 years.
- Regarding his legacy:
- He is often cited among the stalwarts of Ajegunle music culture and the Isoko‑diaspora identity.
- He remains an influential figure for younger artists emerging from the Ajegunle / ghetto music scene and those tracing Isoko cultural roots.
Cultural & Social Impact
- Showkey’s story is emblematic of perseverance and social mobility in Nigeria: he converted adversity into creative output and cultural expression.
- He helped bring the voice of Lagos ghettos into mainstream music and popularised styles born in places like Ajegunle, which was often marginalised.
- His identity as an Isoko‑born artist bridging Delta State heritage and Lagos urban music gives him a dual cultural resonance: both in his home region and the city he made his name.
- His emphasis on speaking in pidgin, addressing street life realities, and engaging grassroots audiences reflects a commitment to authenticity and the lived experience of many Nigerians.
Some Personal Facts & Anecdotes
- He still pays rent for his childhood single room in Ajegunle, despite not living there anymore, because of sentimental association.
- He revealed that legendary Fuji artist Pasuma Wonder supported his family financially for three years when he was bedridden after the accident.
- He discovered his singing talent after being told at his motor‑park job “you have a good voice”.
Why He Matters for Isoko & Nigerian Music
- For the Isoko nation: his success story adds to the roster of notable Isoko personalities making impact in arts and culture, helping raise profile of Isoko heritage outside Delta State.
- For Nigerian music history: he helped shape the genre of galala/ghetto dance music, connected street culture to commercial music, and represented the Ajegunle sound internationally to a degree.
- For cultural researchers: his narrative offers insights into how urban youth in Lagos, especially from immigrant or marginalized communities, use music as a means of expression, identity, and socio‑economic mobility.