Top Nigerian radio host, Dan Foster, also known as Big Dawg has unfortunately died in Lagos.
The radio host died at a medical facility in Lagos where he was reportedly receiving treatment for an illness that has been alleged to be the deadly pandemic, Coronavirus.
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.
In 2000, Dan Foster moved to Nigeria where he joined Cool FM. In September 2009, however, he left Cool FM for 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.
Following news of his death, several Nigerians, celebrities included, have taken to social media to mourn his death.
I just got off the phone, my friend Oscar confirmed that Dan Foster has passed on. This is a very very dark year. How can I overcome this unending melancholy. Rest in Peace, dear Friend. ?????????????????????????????????????????????
— Frank Edoho (@frankedoho) June 17, 2020
Dan Foster was amazing on the radio, I listened to him as a kid and it was surreal when we worked together as colleagues.
This one cuts deep !
Rest in peace big Dawg!
— OSI. (@Osi_Suave) June 17, 2020
Yet to read a decent obituary of Dan Foster. A Black American who chose to settle in Lagos, he was a huge influence on Nigerian radio from the early 2000s. Will like to read his story. Who was he? What motivated him? He obviously touched a number of lives. May he rest.
— K??lá Túb??sún (?? ???) (@kolatubosun) June 17, 2020
Dan Foster’s voice was a huge part of my growing up. His voice on Cool FM. His playfulness. His kindness. Long before I saw what he looked like, his voice communicated his personality in a way no picture needed to. This one is one loss too many. This is a really sad day.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 17, 2020
Dan Foster paved the way for all of us. His death saddens me. It feels really personal. This is terrible news.
— The Jidé Taiwo (@thejidetaiwo) June 17, 2020
https://twitter.com/velveteenlawyer/status/1273266672514760705?s=20
I do not think there will ever exist an OAP that had as much impact on radio as much as Dan Foster did when I was growing up. His voice caressed my ears & made me love radio. Dan Foster was the tipping point for Lagos radio. This one is a triple tragedy.pic.twitter.com/h6PLSEuBsg
— Ayò-Bánkólé Akíntújoyè (@AyoBankole) June 17, 2020
When I moved to lagos in November 2003, Dan Foster was one of the reasons I didn’t run back home to delta state. I tuned into cool fm one morning and Dan made me love radio. Rip big dawg! I’m sad you left. But I’m happy your mark remains forever !
— Bovi (@officialBovi) June 17, 2020
https://twitter.com/SholaThompson/status/1273285496479899651?s=20
RIP Big Dawg
RIP, Dawg. You’ll be missed.