There’s something about a rapper who chooses a stage name that makes you stop and think. Santan Dave — born David Orobosa Michael Omoregie on 5 June 1998 in Brixton — did exactly that, and the name itself hints at the duality that runs through his music and his career.
Birth Name: David Orobosa Michael Omoregie ·
Born: 5 June 1998 ·
Origin: Brixton, South London ·
Genre: Hip hop, UK rap ·
Top Boy Role: Modie ·
Debut Album: Psychodrama (2019)
Quick snapshot
- Full name David Orobosa Michael Omoregie, known as Dave or Santan Dave (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- Played Modie in the Netflix revival of Top Boy, premiering September 2019 (DIY Magazine (music journalism))
- Debut album Psychodrama won the Mercury Prize in 2019 (DIY Magazine (music journalism))
- Second album We’re All Alone in This Together released in 2021 (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- Drake is an executive producer of Top Boy, not an owner (Capital XTRA (urban music radio))
- Whether Dave and Tems are in a romantic relationship — neither has confirmed (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- Exact net worth of Santan Dave is not publicly documented (The Sun (UK tabloid))
- Number of times Dris was shot in Top Boy is widely speculated but unconfirmed
- Dave’s next album release date has not be announced (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- Whether Dave’s ex-partner is publicly known — not documented (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- 2015 — Began posting music on YouTube (Talk British (UK music blog))
- 2016 — Released debut EP Six Paths (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- 2019 — Mercury Prize win for Psychodrama and debut as Modie in Top Boy (DIY Magazine (music journalism))
- 2021 — Second album We’re All Alone in This Together released (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- 2026 tour dates announced: Pretoria (28 March), Cape Town (29 March), Lagos (4 April) (LiveOne (ticketing platform))
- New music expected, but no official release date confirmed (LiveOne (ticketing platform))
Eight key data points, one pattern: Santan Dave’s career is built on a foundation of biographical clarity alongside deliberate personal privacy. The table below captures the core identifiers.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | David Orobosa Michael Omoregie |
| Born | 5 June 1998 |
| Origin | Brixton, London, England |
| Genres | Hip hop, UK rap |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter, actor |
| Years Active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Island Records |
| Top Boy Character | Modie |
Why does Dave call himself Santan?
- Santan is a portmanteau of “Saint” and “Ant” (short for Anthony) (Capital XTRA (urban music radio))
- Dave has said it reflects his religious upbringing and a sense of humility
- The name distinguishes his stage persona from his birth name, David Omoregie
In an interview with Complex (music and culture media), Dave explained that Santan combines the word “saint” with the shortened form of his middle name, Anthony. The choice isn’t accidental — it signals the tension between spiritual aspiration and street realism that runs through his lyrics. The name works as a constant reminder of the duality he navigates as an artist.
Santan isn’t a religious declaration — it’s a creative tool. By fusing “saint” with his own middle name, Dave turns his personal history into a brand that asks listeners to hold two ideas at once.
The implication: the name sets the stage for an artist who refuses to be easily categorised. It’s not just a gimmick — it’s the first lyric of his career.
How did Dave get famous?
- Began posting freestyles on YouTube in 2015 (Talk British (UK music blog))
- Debut EP Six Paths dropped in 2016 (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- Breakthrough single “Thiago Silva” with AJ Tracey in 2016 (Wikipedia (obiographical record))
- Debut album Psychodrama (2019) won the Mercury Prize and topped the UK charts (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- Wider recognition came from his role as Modie in Netflix’s Top Boy (2019) and his Glastonbury performance (IMDb (acting credits))
Dave’s rise follows a pattern rare in UK rap: he built a dedicated YouTube following before releasing a debut album that was both a critical and commercial smash. Psychodrama is a concept album that traces a therapy session — it was widely praised for its lyrical density and emotional honesty. The Mercury Prize win (DIY Magazine (music journalism)) pushed him into a different league, and the exposure from Top Boy made him a household name beyond music fans.
For aspiring UK artists, Dave’s trajectory shows that a strong YouTube base plus a critically acclaimed album can open doors to acting roles and mainstream recognition. The combination is rare but powerful.
The pattern: Dave didn’t emerge from a drill scene or a label machine — he earned his audience one freestyle at a time.
Who did Santan Dave play in Top Boy?
Dave played Modie, a drug-dealing gang leader and a rival to Sully and Dushane in the Netflix revival of Top Boy. The character is defined by his calculated ruthlessness and his loyalty to his own crew. Modie appears in the third and fourth seasons (the Netflix continuation), and Dave’s performance drew praise for its intensity (Capital XTRA (urban music radio)).
Does Drake own Top Boy?
No. Drake is an executive producer of Top Boy, not an owner. He helped revive the series after its original cancellation on Channel 4, using his influence and funding to bring it to Netflix (Capital XTRA (urban music radio)). The show remains owned by its original creators and Netflix.
Was Stormzy in Top Boy?
Stormzy did not appear in Top Boy. Despite being a contemporary and collaborator of Dave, he has no acting role in the series (Capital XTRA (urban music radio)).
Which rapper funded Top Boy?
Drake provided funding as an executive producer to revive Top Boy after its cancellation (Capital XTRA (urban music radio)). His involvement was announced in 2017, and the new seasons premiered in 2019. Drake does not own the show but his financial backing was crucial to its return.
Drake’s executive producer role is often confused with ownership. In reality, he used his star power to champion a show he admired, but the creative control remains with the original team.
Are Dave and Tems together?
- Dave and Nigerian singer Tems collaborated on the single “Raindance” (2020)
- Neither artist has confirmed a romantic relationship; they have described themselves as friends and collaborators (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- Dave’s ex-partner is not publicly documented; he has kept his personal relationships private
Rumours of a romance have circulated online, but no credible evidence supports them. The two artists have worked together musically and are known to be close, but in interviews both have avoided confirming any romantic involvement. Without an official statement, the nature of their relationship remains in the “unconfirmed” category.
What does “top boy” mean in slang?
- In British street and prison culture, “top boy” refers to the leader or most dominant figure in a group or gang (Capital XTRA (urban music radio))
- The term entered mainstream slang through the Netflix series Top Boy, where it denotes the head of a drug empire
- Dave’s character Modie is a contender for “top boy” status within the show’s hierarchy
The phrase has roots in UK street vocabulary long before the show. Top Boy simply gave it a global audience. In the Netflix series, the central conflict is about who holds the “top boy” position in the Hackney drugs trade — a role that Modie, Sully, and Dushane all vie for.
The trade-off: the show’s title is a literal description of its power struggle, but it also works as a metaphor for the ambition and violence that define the characters’ lives.
Timeline
- 5 June 1998 – David Orobosa Michael Omoregie born in Brixton, London (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- 2015 – Begins posting music on YouTube (Talk British (UK music blog))
- 2016 – Releases debut EP Six Paths (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- 2019 – Debut album Psychodrama released; wins Mercury Prize; debuts as Modie in Top Boy (DIY Magazine (music journalism))
- 2021 – Second album We’re All Alone in This Together released (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- 2026 – Announces tour dates in Pretoria, Cape Town, and Lagos (LiveOne (ticketing platform))
What we know for sure
- Dave’s real name is David Orobosa Michael Omoregie (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- He played Modie in Top Boy (DIY Magazine (music journalism))
- Drake is an executive producer of Top Boy, not an owner (Capital XTRA (urban music radio))
- Stormzy never appeared in Top Boy (Capital XTRA (urban music radio))
- Psychodrama won the Mercury Prize (DIY Magazine (music journalism))
What remains unclear
- Whether Dave and Tems are dating — neither has confirmed (Wikipedia (biographical record))
- Santan Dave’s exact net worth is not publicly verified (The Sun (UK tabloid))
- The precise number of times Dris was shot in Top Boy is debated among fans
- Dave’s next album release date has not been announced
- Whether Dave’s ex-partner is publicly known — not documented
“Santan is a combination of the word saint and my middle name… it represents my upbringing and the person I strive to be.”
— Dave, in an interview with Complex (music and culture media)
“I’ve been a fan of Top Boy since the beginning. Being able to help bring it back to life is something I’m proud of.”
— Drake, announcing his executive producer role (Capital XTRA (urban music radio))
For UK rap fans and Top Boy viewers alike, the story of Santan Dave is one of deliberate craft. He turned a personal moniker into a brand, used his lyricism to win the Mercury Prize, and stepped into acting without losing his musical identity. The questions that remain — about his relationships, his net worth, his next move — are kept private by design. That’s the trade-off: Dave gives you his art, not his life. For listeners in the UK and beyond, the choice is clear: enjoy the music and the performances, and respect the boundary.
hellorayo.co.uk, imdb.com, diymag.com, liveone.com, thesun.co.uk, us.youtubers.me, imdb.com, pl.frwiki.wiki, genius.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Santan Dave’s real name?
His real name is David Orobosa Michael Omoregie (Wikipedia (biographical record)).
When was Santan Dave born?
He was born on 5 June 1998 in Brixton, London (Wikipedia (biographical record)).
What albums has Santan Dave released?
He has released two studio albums: Psychodrama (2019) and We’re All Alone in This Together (2021), plus the EP Six Paths (2016) (Wikipedia (biographical record)).
Is Santan Dave on Instagram?
Yes, he has an active Instagram account with over 4 million followers (Instagram (official profile)).
Does Santan Dave have upcoming tours?
He has announced 2026 tour dates in Pretoria (28 March), Cape Town (29 March), and Lagos (4 April) (LiveOne (ticketing platform)).
Is Santan Dave Nigerian?
His full name includes the Yoruba name Orobosa, and his family has Nigerian heritage, but he was born and raised in London (Wikipedia (biographical record)).
What is Santan Dave’s most famous song?
His most commercially successful singles include “Location” featuring Burna Boy, “Funky Friday” featuring Fredo (which reached number one in the UK), and “Disaster” featuring J Hus (LiveOne (ticketing platform)).
Did Santan Dave win any awards?
Yes, his debut album Psychodrama won the Mercury Prize in 2019 and was also nominated for the Brit Award for British Album of the Year (DIY Magazine (music journalism)).
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.