Dan Foster (DJ)

Daniel Leon 'Dan' Foster (September 26, 1958 – June 17, 2020[1]), popularly known as The Big Dawg,[2] was an American radio personality and media consultant based in Nigeria. Formerly an Idol judge, he also held a similar position with the Got Talent franchise.[3]

This article is about the Nigerian-based DJ. For the politician, see Dan Foster (politician).
Dan Foster
Born(1958-09-26)September 26, 1958
San Francisco, California
DiedJune 17, 2020(2020-06-17) (aged 61)
Lagos, Nigeria
OccupationDJ, Radio producer
Children4

Early life and education

Foster was born in San Francisco and raised with his three siblings in Prince George's County, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. by their father Samuel, an Air Force veteran. His mother died when he was ten, and he sporadically lived with his grandmother in Baltimore.[4] As a teenager, Foster played football at Surrattsville High School. After graduating from high school, he signed up with the Marines to earn a scholarship, and hosted his own show on the Marines radio service. After leaving the Marines he attended Towson University, but later transferred to Morgan State University to study Broadcasting and Drama.[5]

Career

Radio

Foster worked with numerous radio stations including Cathy Hughes Radio One and Mix 106.5, [6]and the Virgin Island-based WTBN before moving to Nigeria in February 2000, replacing fellow American Mark Silvia on Cool FM's Good Morning Nigeria Show. Foster immersed himself in his adapted country's culture, dropping phrases from the vernacular into his on-air banter in Baltimorese, and hosting various segments including Inspirational Thought and Candid Phone which quickly became popular with Nigerian listeners.[7]

Foster was named Best Radio Presenter the following year, and won the Nigeria Media Merit Award for Best Radio Personality in 2003, 2004, and 2005. He was also honoured by the City People Awards as Media Person of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

In 2008, Foster left Cool FM for the newly established Inspiration FM where he was made Head of Programmes, but left in 2014 to join City FM.[8]In May 2016, Foster joined oldies station Classic FM 97.3 radio station where he hosted The Morning Show until August 2019.

Television

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 criticism for not attending the Ghana auditions.[7] In 2012 and 2013, he served as a judge on Nigeria's Got Talent alongside actress Kate Henshaw and comedian Yibo Koko.[9]

Other ventures

In 2001, Foster had a minor role in the Nollywood film Face of a Liar.[10] As a promoter, he created and directed the Cool FM Praise Jam concerts which commenced from 2004, with a total of over 22,000 people in attendance.[11]

Personal life

Foster had a son, Joshua, from his previous marriage. Married to a Nigerian, Lovina, the couple were parents to daughters Kayla and Daniella, and son Somtochukwu.[5]

Foster died due to complications from COVID-19 on June 17, 2020, a day after being diagnosed.[12][13][14]

Legacy

Foster has been credited with using his spontaneous presenting style to set the template for modern radio, thus revolutionising Nigeria's broadcasting industry.[5][15] Silverbird's Ben Murray-Bruce described him as a "veteran radio host bar none." Veteran journalist Ben Tomoloju praised Foster for raising the bar in broadcasting, stating “There is a pan-nationalistic dimension to his personality, a role model, a solid phenomenon on air and off-air. "[16]

Foster's popularity inspired a new generation of mainstream on-air personalities who emulated his style by resonating with listeners with their inspirational and conversational approach. He mentored various beginners in the broadcasting field,[17] and planned to establish his own radio station prior to his death.[5]

References
  1. "Prominent broadcaster, Dan Foster, dies". Jun 18, 2020. Retrieved Jun 18, 2020.
  2. "HackeD WhiteHackerz.Com". web.archive.org. Dec 11, 2013. Retrieved Jun 18, 2020.
  3. "Nigeria: Kate Henshaw, Dan Foster and Koko Named Judges for Nigeria Got Talent Show". Allafrica.com. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  4. "I Left Cool FM Because I Wanted To Grow -Dan Foster". Modernghana.com. 2009-05-09. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  5. Dan Foster New York Times
  6. DJ Gives Nigeria Bold Voice
  7. "M-Net Names Idols West Africa Judges – Abrewa Nana Included | Music 2007-01-16". Ghanaweb.com. 2007-01-16. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  8. "Dan Foster joins City FM 105.1 | Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". Thenet.ng. 2015-01-09. Archived from the original on 2015-08-01. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  10. "Home | Thisday Live". Thisdayonline.com. Archived from the original on 2005-01-15. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  11. "Idols West Africa: What You Need To Know | Tashi's TV". TVSA. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  12. "Dan Foster'S Wife Delivers Baby Girl". Modernghana.com. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  13. "Inspiration 92.3FM | Presenters". Inspirationradiong.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  14. "And Foster, popular radio personality, is dead". Ebene Magazine. 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  15. Entertainers Mourn Late Ace
  16. Dan Foster Great Voice Takes a Walk out of Life's Studio
  17. How Dan Foster Changed Nigerian Radio
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