Oladele David Olatunde – Biography

Oladele David Olatunde (born 21st November,1978) professionally known as DAKING is a Nigerian Afro gospel musician, singer, actor, songwriter, screenwriter, MC and cinematographer.
He started his gospel musical career from Winners Chapel A.K.A Living Faith Church, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria as a devoted and active chorister.
He founded a musical band called GBEMIRO RHYTHM INTERNATIONAL.
His lyrical songs are mostly in English, Pidgin and Yoruba languages.

Born – 21st November, 1978 (45) Offa Kwara State

Origin – Edunabon Osun State Nigeria

Genres – Afrobeat – gospel

Occupation – singer, songwriter, screenwriter, actor, MC

Instruments – vocals – Singing

Years Active – 2003 – present

Spouse – Esther Olajumoke married 2011

Children – Light and Life ( Solomon and Feyidara)

Early Life & Education

Oladele David Olatunde was born on 21st November, 1978 in Offa Kwara State, Nigeria. His origin is Edunabon Osun State Nigeria.
He is professionally known by many and on stage as DAKING. He started his gospel musical career as a committed chorister at Winners chapel, Ede Osun State Nigeria.
He joined a secular musical cultural band called RHATDRUM( Royal Home Of Africa Talking Drum) now known as Aafin Ilu and was trained by Prince Adewale Laoye, the proprietor of the band.
He served as a dancer, singer and a back up singer for the band.
His passion for creativity in music began with his strong love for Lagbaja Omobaba muko muko(The Mask).
His trail blazing cultural composition and display in his ministration at a programme inspired Pastor VOA Lawal, the resident pastor at Living Faith Church Ede Osun State Nigeria to change his band name Destiny kids and gave him a band name called GBEMIRO RHYTHM OF AFRICA a strictly cultural musical band blended with Yoruba’s percussion such as Bata, Iya Ilu, Saworo Ide, Omele Bata and traditional Ijala rendition but in a gospel way.
He had many students of Federal Polytechnic Ede and youths from the church as members of his musical band.
He also became a prominent praise and worship leader of the church.
He was invited to minister in various programmes, events and churches due to his Ibile (cultural) Ministration fused with Ijala rendition and African percussion.
He returned back to Offa Kwara State and joined the Winners Voice of Winners Chapel/ Living Faith Church and in no time, he also became very popular and active both in the church and choir.
He continued his band as Gbemiro Rhythm Of Africa until the name was also prophetically changed to GBEMIRO RHYTHM INTERNATIONAL by a pastor who watched his wonderful ministration.
Many students of various institutions and members of the church also joined his band.
He was ordained as the youth pastor of living Faith Church Offa in 2007 at Canaanland Ota the headquarter of winners chapel worldwide during the Shiloh programme.
He was made the Assistant Choir Leader in his local church also.
There was a drastic change in the style of his music after the series of encounters with the Afro Legends Fela Kuti Anikulapo (Abami EDA/ Baba 70) and Lagbaja in his dreams.
The dreams kept repeating when he often saw the two musical gurus training and teaching him afro music.
He discovered his Afro Music composition is supernatural and natural.
He moved down to Lagos State in 2009 and fine tuned his afro music and chose the name King Gbemiro but because he is well known as DAKING, he settled on it as his professional stage name.
He released his first single SOPE NA as King Gbemiro in 2020.
He is an actor who has featured in several movies shown on Netflix, Cinemas and MultiChoice such as The Hustle by Shola Shobowale, Oloture, MMM by Ebony black Tv etc.
He is a member of A.N.T.P and the scriptwriter for RCCG Royal Chapel Drama Ministry, Lagos State Nigeria.
He founded a movie production house called DMFSTUDIOS (DAKING MOTION FILMS STUDIO) and released short movies such as Made for Each Other, Malaika – (children’s content), The Cheat. He also directed and produced SOPE NA musical videos.
He holds a National Diploma certificate in Business Administrative And Management with upper credit from Lagos State Polytechnic. He proceeded for his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administrative And Management at Interlink Polytechnic Ijebu Jesa Osun State Nigeria and graduated with Upper Credit.
He did his National Youth Orientation (NYSC) in Gwandu Local Government, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
He obtained a leadership certificate from Daystar Leadership Academy (DLA), Lagos State.
He also obtained Basic and Advanced Leadership Certificates from Pointman Leadership Institute, Canada.
He is a trained and certified cinematographer from CDSEI, Lagos Nigeria.

Personal Life.

He got married on September 10th, 2011 Ebenezer Baptist Church,Campbell Street, Lagos Island, Nigeria to a Laboratory Technician, Esther Olajumoke. They are blessed with two sons. They live in Lagos State Nigeria.

Career and Philanthropy

He first released a single, SOPE NA in 2020.
MAJO in October 2024 as the second track.
He is an Afro gospel crooner.
He once organised a gospel concert tagged, ‘O’ TO BI LOBA- GREATER GOD) in Offa Kwara State which was graced by many gospel artistes and people.
He donates food and clothing materials to the less privileged especially during his birthday.

Discography

Singles-
Sope Na by King Gbemiro
MAJO by Daking

Filmography

2023–Made for each other (short movie)–Assistant Director

2023— Sope Na video — producer/ director

2023— Malaika (short children’s content) — producer/director

2024— The Cheat– Role- Daking/producer/director.

Others if necessary

He is a Real Estate consultant/agent and owned CRYZTAL HOMES AND PROPERTIES.
He is also a fashion illustrator at Daking Africouture.