If local and international borders are walls, Davido keeps smashing them down hit after hit. Whether it’s a dance track that requires one hand behind and one suspend in front, or a love tune that brings out the farmer in him, Davido’s tunes live on playlists across Africa and beyond, making him the 2014 mascot of Afro-pop music.
He led the nominees pack at the MTV Africa Music Awards, and stood along with other artists for BET’s 2014 Best International African act award. And on the day of the Awards, he hit the stage, murdered his performance, grabbed 2 awards and walked out the building as a champion of the night.
Davido Adeleke is the 2014 icon of Afro-pop royalty with collaborations round the continent with names like Diamond Platnumz, Mafikizolo, Dj Arafat and many more. His hit single from 2013 Skelewu was still a widely played banger when his next hit ”Aye” dropped like a bomb, and set new standards. Like becoming the most viewed clip on Youtube in Nigeria.
Davido went on tour in the U.S and Canada early in the year and shut down venues to the extent of causing some ruckus with local authorities.
Naturally we were curious as to the man within the hits (and the numerous tattoos), and here is the conversation we had with Omo Baba Olowo.
So there are 2MAMAs wit your name on them. How does this make you feel about yourself?
I’m 21 years old and I’m living my dream. I have come this far at my age and there is still so much more to be done, and I won’t stop until they are done
Are you able to attain this level of success because you are special, or do you think a lot of people your age can too?
We are all special in our way of course. But its not just me, if I can do it millions of African youths can do better even better.
Why do you have so many Tattoos?
I started having tattoos when I was 15 and in college I had a roommate who did tattoos so he sort of influenced me.
Is there a thought process that went into every single one you got?
Yes , all my tattoos mean something to me, I didn’t just randomly get them.
Any plans to get more?
No, I have no space left
Before you went fully into music what subject did you hate the most in school?
I was good in English especially literature, I wrote plays and poems which helps me in my music but I was bad in Maths.
At what point in your life did you know you were going to be famous?
You can never really know, You just have to go with the flow and with God’s blessing it just happens and before you know it you are there.
During your younger days spent in the U.S, did you ever have a bully problem?
Never, Never.
What do you have to say to people who think that you are cocky?
I don’t know, the thing is that you can’t please everybody and not everyone can know you.
On your last birthday, you left the club riding on top of your car, how did this come about?
Turned up!
How good a night was it?
It was a mad night , I had a great time.
What name would you give your first boy child?
I don’t know, I’m not sure yet. When it happens a name would surface.
Which Nigerian celeb would you fancy going on a date with?
I don’t have any particular one in mind.
You B-red and shina Rambo,who gets more girls?
B-red
What’s the magic behind the hits? How do you keep doing it every time?
It’s God, It just keeps coming.
What’s the one Nigerian song you wish you were the one who sang?
There’s no song I wish I sang.
What song do you listen to when you are in a bad mood?
I don’t listen to music when i’m in a bad mood, I just want to sleep it off.
Of all the popular dances ever to come up worldwide can you do any apart from skelewu. Like the jerk, the dougie, the Gangnam style, yahoozee etc.
I only do the two step(Laughs out) , that’s the money dance.
What was the idea behind the song All of you?
It was a freestyle I did in Abuja with Gospel before MAMAs was about to wrap up. I think it was the last song recorded on the album.
What’s your favorite club banger?
Gallardo( Runtown FT Davido)
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Who are your top 2 Nigerian rappers and top 2 foreign rappers?
My top Nigerian rappers are Reminisce and Olamide.
Can you rap ?
Not really, I just play around sometimes.
Can you play around a bit?
(laughs out) No!
Which Nigerian rapper can you take on in a battle?
None, I’m not a rapper.
Name a foreign artist who should be banned from making music
In my opinion I believe they are all good because if you are not making good music, then you can’t make it big over there.
If a woman was hunting you non-stop and you want to tell her off with a song what would you use?
Free me by Terry G
Gospel music or Rock music?
Gospel music
What is your favourite shower song?
South African House music
If you were to DJ in a World wide party , what is the one song you would play and every one would dance to?
Happy by Pharell Williams
