Davido Reflects on Afrobeats’ Global Rise and His Role in Shaping the Sound

In a candid conversation on Culture Knockout, Nigerian music superstar Davido opened up about the evolution of Afrobeats and how African artists once thrived within the continent before the genre captured global attention. Reflecting on his early career, Davido recalled the moment when African music stars were content with dominating the African market, often earning impressive sums from performances in various countries across the continent.

Davido shared a nostalgic memory of his early career, revealing that before Afrobeats became a global phenomenon, artists were comfortable with their success within Africa. He reminisced about his early days of performing in countries like Congo, Gabon, and Mali, where he commanded hefty fees of up to $200,000 per concert. At just 21 years old, he was already making a name for himself and earning a fortune performing across the African continent.

“Before Afrobeats went global, we African artists were comfortable being in Africa. I was going to Gabon, Senegal, and getting 200,000 USD for a show, and I was 21, 23 years old,” Davido recalled. His comments underscore how African artists, particularly in their formative years, were thriving within a comfortable yet lucrative market without the pressure of international fame.

Davido also touched on the relationship between African artists and the wealthy individuals who supported them. He emphasized that, back then, much of the success was rooted in the robust patronage from affluent African fans who appreciated and financially supported the artists. The financial backing from these fans was crucial in helping African artists thrive in their respective countries.

He also explained that the success of African artists in this ecosystem was mostly regional, and it wasn’t until Afrobeats gained global traction that artists began to expand their horizons beyond Africa.

The turning point for Davido and the entire Afrobeats genre came in 2017 with his hit single “Fall.” The song became one of Afrobeats’ most notable crossover hits, marking a shift in how African music was perceived internationally. Prior to this, Davido was largely based in Nigeria, performing within Africa when necessary. However, with the success of “Fall,” the artist had to expand his reach and embark on extensive media tours to promote the song in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“It was the first time I had to go to the US and the UK for an elaborate media tour to promote the single,” Davido said. The success of “Fall” marked a pivotal moment in the global recognition of Afrobeats, with the genre rapidly gaining popularity in mainstream music markets.

As one of the key figures propelling the genre forward, Davido also spoke about the current state of Afrobeats. While the genre initially saw success driven by a handful of top artists, he noted that today, the scene has expanded far beyond just the “big 3” — the most well-known stars of the genre.

Davido praised the influx of new talent, highlighting the fact that Afrobeats is now a global movement with a large group of artists contributing to its success. “Afrobeats is now beyond just the big 3 leading the sound, but there’s now a big 20 with more artists contributing tangibly to the global success,” he explained.

This expansion has seen the genre evolve from a niche sound to a dominant force in the global music industry, with artists from across Africa and beyond helping to shape the future of Afrobeats.

Since the global breakthrough of Afrobeats, Davido has remained one of the genre’s most influential figures. His music continues to dominate the airwaves, and he recently released his fifth studio album, Five, which has been met with widespread acclaim. As Afrobeats continues to rise in prominence, Davido’s ability to consistently produce hit singles has ensured his place at the forefront of the genre.

Davido’s reflections on the evolution of Afrobeats offer valuable insight into the journey of African music from a regional success to a global powerhouse. His role in this transformation highlights the power of persistence, adaptability, and collaboration, as well as the growing significance of African culture on the world stage. With the genre continuing to expand and more artists contributing to its growth, the future of Afrobeats looks brighter than ever.