View source for DenG

{{Short description|Liberian singer and songwriter}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = DenG
| image            = Liberia musician deng.png
| image_size       =
| landscape        = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt              =
| caption          =
| birth_name       = Daniel Tom George
| native_name      =
| native_name_lang =
| alias            =
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1984|09|1}}
| birth_place      = [[Bong County]], Liberia
| origin           =
| death_date       = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date 1st) -->
| death_place      =
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Afro pop]]|[[R&B]]}}
| occupation       = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| instrument       =
| years_active     =
| label            =
| associated_acts  = {{hlist|Emma Smith|[[Takun J]]}}
| website          =
}}
'''Daniel Tom George''' (born September 1, 1984), who is known professionally as '''DenG''', is a [[Liberia]]n singer and songwriter from [[Bong County]].<ref name="Daily Observer 1">{{cite web |author1=Tete Bropleh |title=DenG Turns 32 |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-turns-32/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=1 December 2019 |date=September 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174241/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-turns-32/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> He started his music career in 2000 as an [[R&B]] artist before making a guest appearance on Emma Smith's single "I Want to Go". DenG rose to prominence after being featured on Queen V's 2013 hit single "Jue You Bad".<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /> Following the success of "Jue You Bad", he switched from [[R&B]] to [[Afro pop]].<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /> DenG released his debut studio album, ''New Seh'', on August 23, 2023.
==Life and career==
A descendant of the [[Kpelle people|Kpelle tribe]], Daniel Tom George was born on September 1, 1984, in [[Bong County]], Liberia.<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /><ref name="Liberia Broadcasting System" /> He developed an interest in music at a young age and joined his church's choir. DenG's family relocated to Ghana during [[Second Liberian Civil War|Liberia's second civil war]]; he attended [[Achimota School]] while living in Ghana. DenG returned to Liberia and studied business at the [[United Methodist University]].<ref name="Liberia Broadcasting System">{{cite web |title=Who is DenG? A Brief Profile |url=https://elbcradio.com/2019/11/09/who-is-deng-a-brief-profile/ |website=Liberia Broadcasting System |accessdate=12 April 2020 |date=November 9, 2019 |archive-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412200929/https://elbcradio.com/2019/11/09/who-is-deng-a-brief-profile/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He started his music career as an [[R&B]] artist before venturing into Afro pop music, and was featured on Emma Smith's single "I Want to Go".<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /> DenG gained prominence in 2013 after being featured on Queen V's hit single "Jue You Bad", which also features vocals by Tan Tan B.<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /><ref>{{cite web |title='Jue You Bad' Artist QUEEN V Raps on Celebrity, Motherhood |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/jue-you-bad-artist-queen-v-raps-on-celebrity-motherhood/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=March 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174211/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/jue-you-bad-artist-queen-v-raps-on-celebrity-motherhood/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, he released the single "They Vex", a song that addresses the jealousy associated with fame and recognition.<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /> His management team announced that a tee-shirt collection, featuring the phrase "If they vex, let them buss", would arrive in Liberia.<ref>{{cite web |title=If They Vex, Let Them Buss |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/if-they-vex-let-them-buss/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=November 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174147/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/if-they-vex-let-them-buss/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
DenG collaborated with F.A and [[Soul Fresh]] to record "Ebola is Real", a [[hipco]] track that informs Liberians about ways they can protect and prevent the spread of [[Ebola]].<ref name="The Atlantic">{{cite web |author1=Uri Friedman |title=How to Make a Hit Song About Ebola |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/08/how-to-make-a-hit-ebola-song/378980/?single_page=true |website=The Atlantic |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=August 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928120920/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/08/how-to-make-a-hit-ebola-song/378980/?single_page=true |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Recorded in [[Liberian Kreyol language|colloquial English]], "Ebola is Real" was created in partnership with Liberia's Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and the radio station Hott FM.<ref name="The Atlantic" /> In 2015, DenG won Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for "They Vex" at the 2015 [[Liberia Music Awards]].<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /> He also won Best Artist and Song of the Year for "They Vex" at the 2015 [[Liberian Entertainment Awards]].<ref name="LEA 161"/> DenG signed a $50,000 endorsement deal with Novafone Liberia, a GSM carrier.<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /> He released "Kemah" in 2015; it earned him a nomination for Best New Artist at the African Entertainment Awards that same year.<ref name="Daily Observer 1" /> In January 2016, DenG posted a note on his Facebook page, expressing his desire to quit music.<ref name="Daily Observer 2">{{cite web |title=Why DenG Said He Quit |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/why-deng-said-he-quit/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=1 December 2019 |date=January 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174216/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/why-deng-said-he-quit/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in a telephone interview with LIB Life, he clarified his post was intended to find out whether Liberians still had interest in his career.<ref name="Daily Observer 2" />
The music video for DenG's "Put Foot" was released in January 2016.<ref name="Daily Observer 3">{{cite web |title=DenG and Manager Argue Over "Put Foot" Video Quality |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-and-manager-argue-over-put-foot-video-quality/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=1 December 2019 |date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174218/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-and-manager-argue-over-put-foot-video-quality/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> DenG first announced plans for the video's release earlier that month.<ref name="Daily Observer 2"/> He accused his manager Alice Yawo of downgrading the video's quality after she thanked a fan, who belittled the video, for their comments.<ref name="Daily Observer 3" /> In June 2016, DenG and Yawo had a fallout from their unwillingness to communicate.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Tete Bropleh |title=DenG and Manager Alice 'Split for Good' |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-and-manager-alice-split-for-good/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=1 December 2019 |date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174220/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-and-manager-alice-split-for-good/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> DenG was nominated for Listener's Choice at the [[MTV Africa Music Awards 2016|2016 MTV Africa Music Awards]], becoming the first Liberian artist to receive a [[MTV Africa Music Awards|MAMA]] nomination.<ref name="Liberian Observer 1">{{cite web |author1=Tete Bropleh |title=DenG Makes History |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-makes-history/ |website=Liberian Observer |accessdate=1 December 2019 |date=October 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174150/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-makes-history/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In late 2016, he performed alongside [[Christoph the Change]], [[Kcee (musician)|Kcee]] and [[Tekno (musician)|Tekno]] at Beach Jam, a concert sponsored by [[Lonestar Cell]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Tete Bropleh |title=Concert Review: KCEE Out-performs Tekno at Lonestar Cell Beach Jam |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/concert-review-kcee-out-performs-tekno-at-lonestar-cell-beach-jam/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=December 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174151/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/concert-review-kcee-out-performs-tekno-at-lonestar-cell-beach-jam/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 9, 2017, DenG released the [[Sarkodie (rapper)|Sarkodie]]-assisted track "Janjay", which was jointly produced by Liberia's Stone Luckshine and Ghana's Possigee.<ref name="Liberian Listener" /> Described as a Liberian [[highlife]] song, "Janjay" contains lyrics about a girl's dream.<ref name="Liberian Listener">{{cite web |author1=Edwin Mohammed |title=Deng and Sarkodie collaborate on Janjay |url=https://www.liberianlistener.com/2017/06/15/deng-and-sarkodie-collaborate-on-janjay/ |website=Liberian Listener |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=June 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174235/http://www.liberianlistener.com/2017/06/15/deng-and-sarkodie-collaborate-on-janjay/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to the song's release, DenG enlisted Kcee to appear on his track "Make Dem Talk".<ref name="Liberian Listener" /> In July 2017, Emma Smith recruited DenG to lent vocals to her single "Hold Ground", an up-tempo track that has elements of [[Afrobeat]] and [[dancehall]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Robin Dopoe |title=Emma Smith Back with DenG to 'Hold Ground' |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/lib-life-emma/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=July 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513012806/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/lib-life-emma/ |archive-date=13 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2018, DenG organized the first leg of his American tour; it concluded with a concert in Washington DC.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Phenomenon of DenG's Musical Career |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/entertainment/the-phenomenon-of-dengs-musical-career/ |website=Front Page Africa |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=May 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174149/https://frontpageafricaonline.com/entertainment/the-phenomenon-of-dengs-musical-career/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> DenG's management contract with African Entertainment Management Group (AEMG) ended in June 2018; the announcement was made via a [[press release]].<ref>{{cite web |title=AEMG ends management of Liberian singer, DenG |url=https://africanentertainment.com/aemg-ends-management-deng/ |publisher=African Entertainment |access-date=18 April 2023 |date=June 2, 2018 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418000451/https://africanentertainment.com/aemg-ends-management-deng/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2018, he performed at the One Africa Music Fest, becoming the first Liberian act to perform at the festival.<ref name="Bush Chicken 1">{{cite web |author1=T Kla Wesley Jr. |title=DenG Becomes First Liberian to Perform at One Africa Music Fest |url=https://bushchicken.com/deng-becomes-first-liberian-to-perform-at-the-one-africa-music-fest/ |website=Bush Chicken |accessdate=1 December 2019 |date=August 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725182656/https://www.bushchicken.com/deng-becomes-first-liberian-to-perform-at-the-one-africa-music-fest/ |archive-date=25 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Held at the [[Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island]], the festival featured additional performances from [[Wizkid]], [[Flavour N'abania]], Tekno, Sarkodie, [[Cassper Nyovest]] and [[Diamond Platnumz]].<ref name="Bush Chicken 1" /> DenG was one of the Liberian acts who performed at a concert headlined by Nigerian singer [[Davido]]; the concert was held at the [[Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex]] in November 2018.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Robin Dopoe |title=Liberia: Davido Billed to Perform in Liberia November 29 |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/davido-billed-to-perform-in-liberia-nov-29/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=2 December 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420182828/https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/davido-billed-to-perform-in-liberia-nov-29/ |archivedate=20 April 2019 |date=8 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2020, DenG collaborated with [[Takun J]], [[Sundaygar Dearboy]], Tan Tan, Soul Smiter, Odemz, and Amaze to produce the hipco song "Sanitize". The artists released the song in order to raise awareness about [[Covid-19]] and encourage Liberians to practice good hygiene.<ref>{{cite web |title=Liberian Hipco Stars Fight COVID-19 Through Music |url=https://accountabilitylab.org/liberian-hipco-stars-fight-covid-19-through-music/ |website=Accountability Lab |access-date=17 February 2023 |date=May 13, 2020 |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206012045/https://accountabilitylab.org/liberian-hipco-stars-fight-covid-19-through-music/ |url-status=live }}</ref> DenG released his debut studio album, ''New Seh'', on August 23, 2023. The album has twenty-five tracks and features collaborations with PCK, Barsee, Boifatty, and King Buju, among others.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Seh by DenG |url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/new-seh/1705237717 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=20 April 2024 |date=August 30, 2023}}</ref>
==Personal life==
In January 2018, ''The New Dawn'' newspaper reported that DenG's brother Smith George died in [[Margibi County]].<ref name="The New Dawn">{{cite web |author1=Ramsey N. Singbeh, Jr |title=Liberia: Deng's Brother Killed At SRC |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201801090526.html |website=The New Dawn |accessdate=1 December 2019 |date=9 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605155259/http://allafrica.com/stories/201801090526.html |archive-date=5 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> George's body was discovered with foam around the mouth.<ref name="The New Dawn"/>
==Discography==
'''Studio albums'''
*''New Seh'' (2023)
==Awards and nominations==
{| class ="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Event
!Prize
!Recipient
!Result
!Ref
|-
|rowspan="6"|2015
|rowspan="2"|[[Liberian Entertainment Awards]]
|Best Artist
|Himself
|{{won}}
|rowspan="2"|<ref name="LEA 161">{{cite web |title=DenG Grabs Double Awards |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-grabs-double-awards/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174146/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/deng-grabs-double-awards/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|Song of the Year
|rowspan="2"|"They Vex"
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Liberia Music Awards]]
|{{won}}
|rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web |title=K-Zee, Eric Geso, DenG Win Big at LMA |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/k-zee-eric-geso-deng-win-big-at-lma/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=July 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174207/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/k-zee-eric-geso-deng-win-big-at-lma/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|Artist of the Year
|rowspan="6"|Himself
|{{won}}
|-
|Afro Pop Artist of the Year
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Liberia Music Awards Foundation Announces the Nominees for 2015 |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/liberia-music-awards-foundation-announces-the-nominees-for-2015/ |website=Daily Observer |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=May 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174149/https://www.liberianobserver.com/lib-life/liberia-music-awards-foundation-announces-the-nominees-for-2015/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|African Entertainment Awards
|Best New Artist
|{{nom}}
|<ref name="Daily Observer 1" />
|-
|rowspan="2"|2016
|[[2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards|Nigeria Entertainment Awards]]
|African Male Artist of the Year (Non Nigerian)
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thenet.ng/2016/06/full-nominee-list-for-2016-nigerian-entertainment-awards-nea/|title=FULL nominee list for 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA)|work=[[Nigerian Entertainment Today]]|author=Adedayo Showemimo|date=17 June 2016|accessdate=12 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102011347/http://thenet.ng/2016/06/full-nominee-list-for-2016-nigerian-entertainment-awards-nea/|archive-date=2017-01-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[MTV Africa Music Awards 2016|MTV Africa Music Awards]]
|Listener's Choice
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web |author1=Alyssa Klein |title=Here's the Full List of Nominees at the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards in Johannesburg |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/mtv-africa-music-awards-2016-nominees-mtvmama2016/ |website=OkayAfrica |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=October 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103215847/https://www.okayafrica.com/mtv-africa-music-awards-2016-nominees-mtvmama2016/ |archive-date=3 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="3"|2018
|rowspan="2"|[[Tunes Liberia Music Awards]]
|Artist of the Year
|{{won}}
|rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web |title=DenG wins big at Liberian awards ceremony |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/deng-wins-big-liberian-awards-ceremony |website=Music in Africa |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420174159/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/deng-wins-big-liberian-awards-ceremony |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|Song of the Year
|"Grateful"
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Liberia Music Awards]]
|Artist of the Year
|Himself
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Liberia Music Awards 2018: Stunna tops list of nominees |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/liberia-music-awards-2018-stunna-tops-list-nominees |website=Music in Africa |accessdate=2 December 2019 |date=9 November 2018 |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217023202/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/liberia-music-awards-2018-stunna-tops-list-nominees |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}
==See also==
*[[List of Liberian musicians]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Liberian singers]]
[[Category:Liberian songwriters]]
[[Category:People from Bong County]]
[[Category:Alumni of Achimota School]]
[[Category:United Methodist University alumni]]
[[Category:Liberian people of Kpelle descent]]