Diaspora Star | Daniel Nwosu Jr : From Basketball Courts to Global Beats

Daniel Nwosu Jr., better known by his stage name Dax, was born on March 22, 1994, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, to immigrant Nigerian parents. Raised in Ottawa, Canada, Dax navigated the space between his Nigerian heritage and Canadian upbringing, a dual identity that would shape his perspective, his artistry, and his approach to life.

From an early age, Dax demonstrated remarkable drive. He pursued basketball passionately, attending Casper College in Wyoming (2013–2014), where he played on the college team. His talent earned him a transfer to the Montana Grizzlies, a Division-1 basketball team, for the 2014–15 season, and later he played guard for the Newman Jets at Newman University. But even as sports demanded his focus, his mind was quietly drawn to words, poetry, and storytelling.

During his time at Newman University, Dax worked as a janitor, a humble role he turned into a creative incubator. In quiet moments between tasks, he refined his poetry and experimented with rap, learning a vital lesson early on: every challenge is an opportunity to grow. He also spoke publicly as a motivational speaker, sharing messages of resilience, self-belief, and determination.

In 2016, encouraged by a basketball teammate who admired his poetry, Dax began releasing music on SoundCloud. By 2017, his mixtape 2Pac Reincarnation Vol 2: As Told By Dax showcased his lyrical depth and raw honesty. He gained wider recognition with his viral video Cash Me Outside, featuring Danielle Bregoli. In August 2018, he released his first EP, It’s Different Now, collaborating with artists like O.T. Genasis and Futuristic, and in 2019, he was featured on Hopsin’s You Should’ve Known. That same year, he toured with Tech N9ne on the It Goes Up tour before launching his own headlining It’s Different Now Tour across America and Canada.

Dax’s momentum continued with the 2020 EP I’ll Say It for You, led by the single Dear God, followed by collaborations like Faster featuring Tech N9ne, I Don’t Want Another Sorry featuring Trippie Redd, and Coronavirus (State Of Emergency), a reflection on the global pandemic. In 2021, he released Child of God and his debut studio album, Pain Paints Paintings, featuring singles like Propaganda with Tom Macdonald and 40 Days, 40 Nights featuring Nasty C—songs that earned spots on Billboard charts and solidified his reputation as a versatile artist.

In 2022, Dax’s single Dear Alcohol explored personal struggles with alcoholism and achieved Platinum certification in both the U.S. and Canada. A country crossover remix featuring Elle King expanded his audience, and later that year, he signed with Records, LLC and Columbia Records. He continued blending genres, releasing a remix of To Be a Man featuring Darius Rucker in 2023, which topped the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart. That same year, he was nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards and won Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year for Dear Alcohol.

In 2024, Dax opened for Joyner Lucas on the Not Now I’m Busy tour, eventually becoming a co-headliner, and performed at numerous state fairs. Now, in 2025, he is headlining his Lonely Dirt Road Tour across the United States and Canada, sharing his music and story with fans directly.

What sets Dax apart is his ability to transform personal struggles into universal stories. His music grapples with faith, identity, and perseverance, inspiring fans to confront their own challenges with courage. From janitor and basketball player to platinum-selling artist, actor, and genre-crossing musician, Dax embodies the power of vision, discipline, and resilience. He is more than a rapper; he is a storyteller, a motivator, and a diaspora star proving that roots, hard work, and authenticity can create a legacy that resonates across continents.