Nigerian-based foremost American radio presenter, Daniel ‘Dan’ Foster – popularly known as The Big Dawg and Top Dawg, is dead.
His death has been linked to COVID-19. He is revered as one of Nigeria’s finest radio presenters.
Foster was brought up with his three siblings in Washington, D.C. by their father – their mother had died when he was ten – but partly raised in Baltimore by his grandmother.As a teenager, Foster was rebellious, but soon joined the Marines and attended Morgan State University where he studied Broadcasting and Drama.
He worked with numerous radio stations including Cathy Hughes Radio One, Mix 106.5 both in America, and Virgin Island-based WTBN before moving to Nigeria in 2000 where he joined Cool FM, quickly becoming popular with Nigerian listeners, although he was constantly criticised for his constant use of the word “Ikebe” (Nigerian pidgin for derrière). A year later, he received an award for Best Radio Presenter of the year. He also won the 2003, 2004, and 2005 Nigeria Media Merit Awards for ‘Best Radio Personality’.
Foster has also been recognised by the City People Awards, a respected organisation known for recognising outstanding individuals who have touched the lives of citizens in the community, they have named him “Media Person of the year” in 2004 and again in 2005. He was also the creator and director of the Cool Fm Praise Jam concerts that have taken place since 2004, with a total of over 22, 000 people in attendance.
In September 2009, Foster left Cool FM for a new radio station Inspiration FM, but left in 2014 to join City FM.
In May 2016, Dan Foster left City FM 105.1 to join Classic FM 97.3 radio station where he worked until his death in June 2020.
In 2007, Foster was a judge on the one-off Idols West Africa series, alongside Nigerian Dede Mabiaku and Ghanaian Abrewa Nana. During the show’s run he was compared to American counterpart Randy Jackson, although he received some criticism for not attending the Ghana auditions. He is currently a judge on Nigeria’s Got Talent alongside actress Kate Henshaw and comedian Yibo Koko.
In 2001, Foster featured in the Nollywood movie Face of a Liar.
Foster has a son, Joshua, from his previous marriage. Now married to a Nigerian, Lovina, the couple are parents of daughter Daniella and son Somtochukwu. He reportedly died on the 17th of June 2020.
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