Paul Play Dairo

**Paul Play Dairo: Biography** Paul "Play" Dairo is a Nigerian R&B singer, songwriter, and music producer who has made significant contributions to the Nigerian music industry, particularly in the R&B genre. He is the son of the legendary Juju musician, Chief I.K. Dairo, who was the first African musician to receive an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II. **Early Life and Education** Paul Play Dairo was born Babatunde Dairo in Nigeria, around 1977, and grew up in a household deeply rooted in music. Despite this musical background, he initially pursued a different career path, studying Mechanical Engineering. He briefly worked for Shell Petroleum before deciding to transition into music full-time. **Career Progression and Breakthrough** Dairo rose to prominence between 1999 and 2002 after releasing a remix of his father’s classic song, "Mo So Rire." This caught the attention of Kennis Music, a leading Nigerian record label at the time. Under Kennis Music, he released *Dairo Music Foundation Project 1* (1999) and *Project 2* (2002), with the latter producing the hit single "Forever." After parting ways with Kennis Music, Dairo established his own label, Playground Entertainment, marking a period of independent success from 2004 to 2007. During this time, he released albums such as *No. 1* (2004) and *Hitaville* (2005). His single "Angel of My Life" from this era became a highly recognized Nigerian R\&B classic. He followed this with the album *Hero* in 2010. Dairo took a hiatus around 2007 due to health challenges, but made a notable comeback. **Notable Works and Major Achievements** Paul Play Dairo is best known for hit singles including "Angel of My Life," "Forever," and "You and Me." His works have earned him multiple Headies Awards, including categories such as Best R\&B Album, Artist of the Year, and Recording of the Year. He has also received recognition from organizations like FAME Awards, AMEN Awards, and M-Net South Africa. **Current Status** Dairo returned to the music scene with the album *Godson* in 2017, demonstrating his determination to continue his musical career despite past health issues. He also contributed to the 2021 tribute album *Touch of Genius* for the legendary Sir Victor Uwaifo. His current online presence shows he maintains a relationship with his audience, with a significant following across social media platforms.