Davido: Critics Target Me Because of My Father’s Wealth

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has said that much of the criticism he receives stems from public resentment over his privileged background.

In a recent episode of the Culture Knock Out podcast, the award-winning singer shared that he is often unfairly targeted because of his father’s wealth, noting that the backlash intensified only after he had already gained fame with a string of hit songs.

“I’m the most criticised artist in Nigeria,” Davido said. “In the beginning, people didn’t know my dad was rich. By the time they found out, I had already released three hit tracks. It was too late to stop me.”

The Unavailable hitmaker explained that he had always been passionate about music and would have pursued it regardless of his background. “I just wanted to do music. I didn’t care if I had to be homeless. Nothing else mattered.”

He added that while public sentiment shifted once his affluent background became widely known, he continued to deliver music that resonated with fans. “People started hating me because my dad is rich, but I keep dropping good music, and it keeps working.”

Davido concluded by saying criticism is inevitable for anyone at the top of their game. “It happens to everyone. Once you become the biggest in anything, people will criticise you. It’s just the way it is.”