‘Just God, good music’, Davido claims he built career without industry support

Abdullateef Fowewe

Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke alias Davido has proudly reflected on his remarkable rise in the music industry, emphasising that his success was achieved independently, without the support of a godfather or influential industry backing.

Following the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive, and reaching a milestone of over 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify for the first time, Davido expressed gratitude and pride in his journey.

In a post on X (formally Twitter), he stated, “No co-sign, built from the ground up! Just God, good music and the best fans! I appreciate you guys fr (for real)! Who wan even CO-SIGN big man like me ?? Hmmm another angle sha 5️⃣”.

Davido’s career began with his breakthrough hit “Dami Duro” in 2011, and since then, he has become one of Nigeria’s most influential artists, blending Afrobeats, Afropop, R&B, and dancehall.

His latest album 5ive has been a chart-topping success, amassing millions of streams and solidifying his place at the top of Afrobeats charts worldwide.

He attributes his success to divine grace, relentless hard work, quality music, and the unwavering support of his fans rather than industry endorsements or co-signs from music gatekeepers.

Davido also likened his journey to the biblical David, overcoming challenges and defying expectations, “If you read the story of David in the Bible, he overcame a lot. He wasn’t really projected to be a king, and that’s really how my life story has been.”