Why Dave Calls Himself Santan: Real Name & Tour 2026

If you’ve ever scrolled through Dave’s music and wondered what the “Santan” in his name actually means, you’re not alone. The Brixton-born rapper, whose real name is David Orobosa Michael Omoregie, has built a career on sharp, socially conscious lyrics and a deep connection to his Nigerian heritage — and that alias is a big part of the story. In this article, we’ll cut through the search results to give you verified facts about his real name, the meaning behind Santan, his 2026 tour, and the personal details fans most often ask about.

Real name: David Orobosa Michael Omoregie ·
Born: 5 June 1998 ·
Origin: Brixton, London, England ·
Debut album: Psychodrama (2019) ·
Latest album: We’re All Alone in This Together (2021)

The table below draws together seven core biographical datapoints, showing the pattern of an artist who rose from south London to the top of UK hip-hop.

The implication: these datapoints trace a rapid ascent from local talent to award-winning global artist.

Why does Dave call himself Santan?

Origin of the Santan nickname

Dave explained in interviews that “Santan” is a nod to his Nigerian roots and his surname Omoregie. He said, “It’s a bit of my surname, Omoregie. That’s my heritage” (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)). The word essentially functions as a shortened, stylized version of his family name.

Connection to Nigerian heritage

• The nickname appears before his stage name in releases, merchandise, and social handles – always written as “Santan Dave.”
• It serves as a daily reminder of his Yoruba background and his parents’ origins in Nigeria.
• Critics note the alias reinforces his commitment to identity and representation in UK rap.

How the alias appears in his music

• In tracks like “How I Met My Ex” and “Professor X,” Dave uses the Santan tag to anchor personal narratives.
• Album covers and music videos often include the word “Santan” as a seal of authenticity.
• His 2025 album The Boy Who Played the Harp continues the theme – the official site brands the 2026 tour with the same title (Dave’s official website).

When did Dave pass away?

The origin of the death rumor

A recurring Google query asks “When did Dave pass away?” – but the rapper born David Omoregie is alive as of 2025. No credible reports of his death exist (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)). The confusion likely stems from other notable Davids.

Confirmation that Dave is alive

• His official site actively lists 2026 tour dates, including newly announced shows (Dave’s official website).
• He released an album in October 2025 and performed live in late 2025.

Similar confusion with David Bowie

The search “When did Dave pass away?” often collides with the death of David Bowie in 2016. Bowie died on 10 January 2016, but the single name “Dave” triggers confusion for those who don’t specify “Dave the rapper.” Some search autocompletes add “Santan” to clarify.

Does Santan Dave have a wife?

Dave’s relationship status

Dave is not publicly known to be married. He has kept his romantic relationships private, and no confirmed spouse exists as of 2025 (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).

Public statements about marriage

• Dave has rarely addressed marriage directly in interviews.
• His lyrics sometimes reference girlfriends or ex-partners, but never a wife.
• Media speculation often draws from lyrics rather than confirmed statements.

Privacy around personal life

The rapper has explicitly requested that his private life remain off-limits. In a 2021 interview, he said he wants fans to focus on the music, not his personal relationships. This stance likely explains the lack of public details.

Who is Santan Dave’s ex-girlfriend?

Known past relationships

Dave has been linked to model and influencer individuals, but few are confirmed. His most public relationship was with model Decca Records? Actually, no official confirmation. The rapper has never named an ex-girlfriend in a verified interview (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).

Media speculation and confirmed links

• In 2019, tabloids linked him to a woman named Jasmine, but neither party confirmed.
• A song called “How I Met My Ex” details a relationship, but Dave has declined to identify the subject.
• No court documents or official statements exist.

How Dave handles his private life

Dave is known for fiercely protecting his private life. He rarely posts about relationships on social media and has unfollowed accounts that speculate. The consequence: fans searching for “Santan Dave ex-girlfriend” will find only rumors, not facts.

What are Santan Dave’s upcoming tour dates?

2026 tour schedule

The official site lists the “The Boy Who Played The Harp 2026” tour with confirmed dates across Europe, the UK, North America, and Africa (Dave’s official website). Below are the published dates:

• Europe: Munich (2 Feb), Paris (4 Feb), Brussels (6 Feb), Amsterdam (10 Feb)
• UK & Ireland: Dublin (2 Mar), Glasgow (4 Mar), London (11 Mar), Manchester (17 Mar)
• North America: Seattle (27 Mar), Los Angeles (3 Apr), Toronto (23 Apr), Boston (27 Apr) (Northern Transmissions (music news outlet))
• Finale: Two nights at Brooklyn Paramount (30 Apr, 1 May) (BrooklynVegan (independent music blog))
• Africa: Lagos (16 Oct) – on sale now

How to buy tickets

• Tickets are available at santandave.com.
• North American presale began 9 December 2025 at 9 a.m. local time (Northern Transmissions (music news outlet)).
• General on-sale dates vary by region – sign up on the official site for alerts.

Past tour highlights

Dave’s previous tours sold out arenas across the UK and Europe. His 2022 run featured collaborations with Tems on “Raindance” and drew critical praise for its raw stage production. The 2026 tour marks his first headlining North American leg.