Yesterday, I dedicated an hour to watching Davido’s interview on The Breakfast Club, and it was immensely enjoyable for numerous reasons.
Initially, our era saw the emergence of Davido as we ourselves were burgeoning. Observing his progression together with Wizkid and Olamide has a distinct impact. This connection runs deep since we have been part of this journey from tracks like "Dami Duro," "Holla at Your Boy," "Eni Duro," "Omo To Shan," among others. Their narrative isn’t separate; it’s intertwined with ours.
Apart from the sense of nostalgia, Davido has consistently felt connected to the streets. He possesses an alluring persona. During that conversation, he spoke candidly—addressing his professional journey, personal life, beliefs, and much more.
A striking instance occurred when he discussed the weight of hailing from an affluent background—the stereotypes, hatred, and covert manipulation. He mentioned how individuals frequently leverage his father’s riches against him, uttering phrases such as “he doesn’t require this,” particularly during attempts to enter exclusive spaces. This unspoken struggle is common among those raised with privilege but seldom spoken about. His openness revealed a profound sense of vulnerability. I’m relieved that he has moved beyond that stage and is now concentrating on family, tranquility, and meaningful pursuits.
In response to questions regarding his connection with Burna Boy and Wizkid, he provided an answer that was both mature and thoughtful. Although he acknowledged not having a personal bond with them, he highlighted the significance of nurturing Afrobeat culture as the priority. This perspective marked progress.
He similarly addressed his disagreement with Tiwa Savage, who is associated with his child’s mother; however, despite this situation, he still talked about Tiwa with affection and esteem. This was quite touching.
Davido discussed how his upbringing influenced him. He spoke about growing up in America and enjoying every opportunity available to him, as well as explaining how profoundly his musical journey has been impacted by 50 Cent. The conversation also touched upon his connection with Chris Brown, along with Davido’s appreciation for the emergence of Amapiano and the current prominence of South African music.
The aspect that impressed me the most was his comments about Chioma. He talked about having stayed with her through many years due to her calming and stabilizing influence. Being a worldwide celebrity, Davido mentioned how challenging it is always to maintain some level of privacy. He recounted a serene instance when he spent time with someone in a modest abode, which brought back memories of tranquility he yearns for. This might explain why he cherishes Chioma—her off-screen persona serves as an escape for him. It seems like we're seeing a more contemplative side of Davido compared to the person interviewed by Ebuka on Bounce Radio several years prior.
Next up is his impressive approach to dealing with online trolls. He emphasized that the competition among him, WizKid, and Burna is primarily driven by their fan bases and those profiting from the conflict rather than the artists themselves. It’s reassuring that he does not take this personally. I wish more individuals could recognize trolling as merely a means of survival for certain people, fueled by the harmful incentives present on social media platforms. The problematic aspect of generating revenue through such content is an issue we must thoroughly discuss. We shouldn’t permit algorithms to continue favoring negative behavior simply because it gains traction quickly.
I'm looking forward to Davido's new album releasing in April and his wedding in Miami scheduled for August. He reminds me of an old acquaintance whom I may not be personally close to but have always felt a strong connection with due to following his career since the beginning. My affection for Davido has only grown after seeing that recent interview.
30BG for the culture.
Babatunde Akintunde, who leads the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development, initially posted this on his Facebook page. Premium Times has received his authorization to republish it.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).