Davido: How Nigerians in diaspora brought my music into global limelight

Davido, the award-winning singer, says Nigerians in the diaspora brought his music into international limelight with their support.

The music star was reflecting on his music career and growing popularity of Afrobeats globally during the latest episode of the Daily Show, a programme hosted by Trevor Noah.

Davido recalled that when his music career started in Atlanta and New York, some Nigerians resident in the US would visit entertainment centres and demand that the disc jockey (DJ) should play his songs.

“I want to first of all give a shout out to all the Nigerians in the diaspora. When I said that, I mean Nigerians living in America, Europe…,” he said.

“My music started in Atlanta as well as New York and it started with Nigerians being in the clubs and telling the DJs that I want to spend $50k dollars today but play Davido’s music. That’s an example and it started from people in the diaspora doing that for us.

“I remember that I came here for a tour in 2013 and I sold out every venue even without exposure. Then, Live Nation (a US-based entertainment company) called my manager and was like what’s going on?

“We don’t even know this guy, he came to America and has done 20 shows and sold out. We have to thank those that supported us. Nigerians don’t play with us.”

The ‘OBO’ crooner said similar support for Afrobeats from Nigerians and other Africans contributed to the success of the music genre in the world.

Davido recounted how people earlier doubted the acceptability of his songs in the US because of its Afrobeats genre.

“I remember 2016 when I first got my deal in New York. Then, they were really not sure of what the sound would be like. I told them, you guys might not understand now but in a couple of years, it’s going to be big, if not the biggest music genre in the world,” he added.