I Built My Music Career Without godfather – Davido
Afrobeats star Davido has credited his rise in the music industry to divine grace, strong fan support, and quality music – not industry connections or mentorship.
The singer, born David Adeleke, made the statement on social media after surpassing 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify, a personal record for the Nigerian artist. The surge in listeners follows the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive.
Reacting to the achievement on X (formerly Twitter), Davido highlighted that he reached this level without the help of a “godfather” or major industry co-sign.
“No co-sign, built from the ground up! Just God, good music and the best fans! Appreciate you guys fr [for real]!” he wrote.
Davido’s comments distinguish his journey from that of some of his peers who benefitted early on from label executives or industry mentors. Despite being the son of billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke, Davido has often emphasized the role of hard work and consistency in his music career.
The 31-year-old has become one of the leading voices in Afrobeats, known for hits like “If,” “Fall,” and “Unavailable.” His latest project, 5ive, continues to gain global traction, further cementing his position on the world stage.
