Davido: The Pulse of Afrobeats on the Global Stage
Source: Reach Media / Urban One
Davido is Posted on the Corner with DJ Misses and Incognito to talk it up about his new release 5ive, his family life, and upcoming tour. The youngest of five, he might command sold-out shows across continents, but staying grounded is clearly part of his DNA. Right now, he's gearing up for an international tour stretching from July through November—a testament to the worldwide appetite for Afrobeats
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If you're a fan of Davido you know that he doesn't stay still. One minute he's in the US on stage the next minute he's in the mother land tearing it up. So when asked how he manages life on the road, Davido laughs. 'I was just complaining to my team the other day—we gotta slow down! We're about to go on tour, back to back until November.' For Davido, touring isn't just about personal milestones; it's about flying the flag for the culture. Despite its explosive growth, he reminds us, 'Globalization of African music is still fresh. We're just five or six years deep.' Right now, he counts 'maybe 10' globally recognized Afrobeats stars. Compared to hip hop's hundreds, the responsibility is heavy. 'We have to be everywhere at the same time, pushing it.'
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We all know it takes a village, and Davido's rise hasn't come in isolation. 'The beauty for me is seeing the people who were with me when it wasn't lit, now shining alongside me.' With a clear fondness for his team and day-one friends, Davido places loyalty and community at the heart of his success. Looking forward, he reveals he has dreams outside of music into wider entertainment. 'I definitely want to dabble in the media—even owning a TV or radio station, or bringing up new talent.'
The wave of African music isn't the only thing he wants to carry worldwide. Davido's vision includes storytelling. He's working on a documentary, aiming to highlight not just his own story but the wider African experience for international audiences. 'We've got a whole film industry back home. More collaborations are happening… producers, chefs, creatives coming together.' He sees unity as the next leap for Afrobeat, mirroring the approach of the Latin music world, where art and commerce intersect to create global phenomena.
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With the release of his latest album, 'Five,' Davido shares that getting it right took a blend of creativity and shrewd business. 'From music to promotion to marketing, we realized we had to match what global artists were doing. Beyoncé is rehearsing ten times a day! We needed to work harder and smarter, get the business side tight, and handle our visibility everywhere.' The result? Strategic collaborations, from Chris Brown and Victoria Monét to Jamaican stars like Shenseea and 450, building cross-cultural bridges between Africa and the Caribbean.
Looking beyond his upcoming tour, Davido shares, 'There's so much about to happen. This is just the beginning.' Whether it's in a packed stadium in London or a club in Lagos, he carries the voice of a continent, and he's only just getting started. Check out the full interview below:
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