Dan Foster (DJ)

Daniel Leon 'Dan' Foster (September 26, 1958 – June 17, 2020),[1] popularly known as 'Big Dawg' and 'Top Dawg',[2] was an American radio personality based in Nigeria. Formerly an Idol series judge, [3] he also held a similar position with the Got Talent franchise.[4] [5]

This article is about Nigerian-based DJ. For the politician, see Dan Foster (politician).
Dan Foster
Born(1958-09-26)September 26, 1958
Washington, D.C., United States
DiedJune 17, 2020(2020-06-17) (aged 61)
Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityAmerican
EducationTowson University
Morgan State University
OccupationDJ, Radio producer
Spouse(s)Lovina Foster, née Okpara
Children4

Early life

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—their mother Sarah had died when he was ten—but sporadically lived with his grandmother in Baltimore.[6] As a teenager who played football in high school, Foster was rebellious, but after a stint with the Marines he attended Towson University, later transferring to Morgan State University where he studied Broadcasting and Drama.[5]

Radio

Foster worked with numerous radio stations including Cathy Hughes Radio One and Mix 106.5, both in America, and the Virgin Island-based WTBN [7] before moving to Nigeria in February 2000, replacing fellow American Mark Silvia on Cool FM's Good Morning Nigeria Show and quickly becoming popular with Nigerian listeners.[3] Foster immersed himself in his adapted country's culture, dropping phrases from the vernacular into his on-air banter, and was named Best Radio Presenter the following year.

Foster 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.[3] He created and directed the Cool FM Praise Jam concerts that commenced from 2004 with a total of over 22,000 people in attendance.[8]

In September 2009, Foster left Cool FM for the newly established Inspiration FM where he was made Head of Programmes,[9] but left in 2014 to join City FM.[10] In May 2016, Foster joined Classic FM 97.3 radio station where he worked until his death in June 2020.

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.[3] In 2013 he was a judge on Nigeria's Got Talent alongside actress Kate Henshaw and comedian Yibo Koko.

Other ventures

In 2001, Foster had a minor role in the Nollywood movie Face of a Liar.[6][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]

Death

Foster died due to complications from COVID-19 on June 17, 2020, a day after receiving his test results.[12][13][14]

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. "M-Net Names Idols West Africa Judges – Abrewa Nana Included | Music 2007-01-16". Ghanaweb.com. 2007-01-16. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  4. "Nigeria: Kate Henshaw, Dan Foster and Koko Named Judges for Nigeria Got Talent Show". Allafrica.com. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  5. Dan Foster New York Times
  6. "I Left Cool FM Because I Wanted To Grow -Dan Foster". Modernghana.com. 2009-05-09. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20121225212312/http://www.gottalentnigeria.com/judges.php. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. "Idols West Africa: What You Need To Know | Tashi's TV". TVSA. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20100702063040/http://lagosevents.com/923-inspiration-fm-debuts-in-lagos/entertainment/admin/2008. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. "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.
  11. "Home | Thisday Live". Thisdayonline.com. Archived from the original on 2005-01-15. 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.
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