Nigerian culture is having a moment, according to Davido’s perspective.
The 32-year-old Afrobeats star cited the film, food, and fashion influence that his country is increasingly exporting to the rest of the world in a recent interview in Paris, adding that “we’re very popular, not just in music.”
His response to the criticism that American artists are starting to devalue the sound of Afrobeats is: “I like it.”
The artist sees the continent’s future as being tied to those who stay home rather than its influent diaspora, despite being a self-described citizen of the world.
He claims that “everyone has the American dream.” Every child who grows up in Africa would like to travel to America. That is cool. Visitation is acceptable, but don’t leave your belongings there.
For his fellow citizens who are dealing with the worst economic crisis in a generation, those words might be difficult to swallow.
The Yoruba word for “escape” (japa) has recently become popular as slang for moving to greener, richer pastures.
Davido, who was born David Adedeji Adeleke in Atlanta, explores the tension between a growing, active Nigeria of more than 200 million people and a region that finally appears to be waking up to the so-called Giant of Africa.
He confidently tells AFP that his new album, “5ive,” “is going to touch every part of the world,” and that it will be released on Friday.
“The French people will enjoy our music.” The Caribbean people will enjoy our music. He claimed that there is music available for everyone, including Americans and Africans.
It’s similar to a complete, global album in every way.
Eight million listeners are monthly.
With more than 8 million monthly listeners, including King Charles of Great Britain, Davido is driving the global Afrobeats craze.
However, African music also includes Davido as a result.
He enthusiastically recalls that his parents were always playing music at the house, going to school, and playing music in the car. “I grew up in an African household.”
A cousin in the industry took a teenager to a studio where “for the first time, I saw someone create music… African music.”
A grey conical woollen cap and jewelry dangling over a black T-shirt, Davido said, “when I fell in love with it.”
By the age of 16, he was mixing and mastering his own tunes, drawing inspiration from Nigerian duo P-Square, who had some of their hits influenced by American influences like Michael Jackson.
Davido now sees musical influence from artists cross the Atlantic to the other.
In response to questions about critics who accuse American artists of trying to imitate the Afrobeats style, he said, “It’s a privilege for another culture to try to imitate what you’re doing.”
“We also perform hip-hop in Nigeria.” Rappers are present. There are individuals who perform R& and B.
Music is understood as a universal language. Therefore, I don’t think that’s a problem.
Davido has “Unavailable” and “Aye” on his list of well-known tracks.
African music’s narrative has been altered.
Davido claimed he hasn’t lost sight of Nigeria despite his worldly outlook.
He told AFP, “We’ve been going through difficult times.” “Nigeria has a lot of talent, grace, and opportunity.
Why don’t we sing about (Nigeria’s struggles) in our music, I was asked. he recalled. That’s not the kind of music my people would really like to hear, man.
In the past, I have sung about it. But more often than not, I speak out against it in Africa.
He is aware of where at least a portion of his success has come from as he prepares to travel the world, making stops in Paris, London, New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
