Having been a trailblazer in exporting African music for over a decade, Afrobeats megastar Davido reflects on his journey in a recent interview with Billboard. In a behind-the-scenes glimpse titled “Davido Welcomes All to His World of Music Honda Stage x Billboard” shared by Billboard, Davido delves into his musical origins and celebrates the global recognition Afrobeats now commands.
Recalling his early exposure to music, Davido reminisces about the lively parties his mother used to host, which ignited his passion for music. “My mom used to throw a lot of parties when I was young, and from there, it kind of formed into me loving music,” Davido shares.
Davido’s career trajectory began in production before transitioning to singing. Despite never envisioning himself as an artist initially, fate intervened with the release of his debut single, propelling him into stardom. “In my head at that time, I never thought I would be in the forefront, be an artist. One day, one of my cousins decided to release one of my songs as mine, and when I moved back to Nigeria, I just took it on full time,” Davido reveals.
Known for his affinity for collaborations, Davido expresses his joy in integrating other artists into his creative sphere. Referring to his inaugural single ‘Back When,’ which featured Naeto C and was co-produced by Davido himself, he states, “My first single was a collaboration, so I love collaborating, especially bringing them into my world.”
In the interview, Davido tantalizingly hints at a forthcoming single, ‘Flex My Soul,’ previously teased in 2023 ahead of his record-breaking fourth album, ‘Timeless.’ He alludes to a female guest appearance on the track, setting the stage for its performance on the Billboard Honda Stage.
Davido also weighs in on the global ascent of Afrobeats, emphasizing that while accessibility has increased, the essence and allure of the music have always been intrinsic. As he continues to pave the way for African artists on the world stage, Davido remains an influential figure in propelling Afrobeats to unprecedented heights.
