By Benjamin Njoku

Music star Dareysteel has added another feather to his cap. Organisers of the annual Daylight Leadership Awards, DALA, have honoured the Nigerian-born rapper and record producer with the 2026 Special Recognition Award in the Diaspora category.

According to DALA, the multiple award-winning artiste was singled out for his immense contributions to the growth of Nigerian and African music in the diaspora, especially in Madrid, Spain, where he has lived and continued to spread joy through inspirational, intellectually-driven lyrics.

The organisers praised Dareysteel born Solomon Paul and popularly known as Golongolo Master for “consistently and consciously promoting intellectually positive lyrics as a globally acclaimed musician with proud Nigerian roots and heritage.”

“He has been consistent in using his lyrics to fight social injustice and inequality all over the world. Therefore, he is a global role model, ambassador extraordinaire and an untiring change agent for humanity,” DALA stated.

This latest honour comes as Dareysteel drops a new 2026 album titled Your Body with three tracks. It adds to a growing list of international recognitions. A few years ago, then-Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Obed Wadzani, honoured him with a Certificate of Merit in Madrid for his impactful lyrics and social contributions.

In May 2025, the African community in Madrid also gave him a Merit Award. Then on November 8, 2025, the Nigerian diaspora community in Seville, Spain, bestowed another honour on him for his conscious music.

Since relocating to Spain in 1998, Dareysteel has built a strong catalog. His acclaimed albums include Dangerous (2012), Unstoppable (2015), Unbreakable (2016), Man of the Year (2016), Untouchable(2018), and Uplifted (2021).

DALA, founded in 2016 by journalist Azuh Amatus, has a history of honouring top names. Past winners include Monalisa Chinda, Osita Iheme, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, Okey Bakassi, Emeka Mba, Femi Adesina, Tony Elumelu, and Mike Adenuga.

For Dareysteel, the recognition proves what fans already know: a goldfish has no hiding place.