In this very recent interview with
Nigerian Tribune, Davido got to talk
about his music, how he rose to the
top, his tattoos, the young girls he's
been caught on cameras with and his
dad's wealth of course.
Excerpts:
You’ve achieved fame within such a
short period of time. How were you able
to do that?
God has had my back, always. It’s all
God’s doing. From my single back then,
He had said it was my time; and so I
kept doing my thing, working hard,
spending more time working on the
music and sampling all kinds of sounds.
That’s how it came about.
Before you became a big shot, what
were those days of humble beginnings
in the industry like?
They weren’t easy – having to prove
that you could do this, or that you could
be big and sell records, and then not
having people believe you or want to
take a chance.
I had some rough periods of even
hungry days in the studio. Sometimes
you got broke, but still just found one
way or the other to pull through. I had
plenty rough times.
What were your childhood days like?
I had a regular childhood. A whole lot of
play and school, sometimes the play
would just centre around music.
How did your dad feel about your
decision to become a recording artiste?
He didn’t like it at first; but eventually a
man understands a man’s need to do his
thing and make a name for himself.
Did you drop out of school because you
wanted to pursue your musical career?
Who says I dropped out? I’m in my third
year in school.
How do you combine your music with
your studies successfully? Has building a
profession in music affected your
studies in anyway?
It’s not been easy, but it’s working one
way or the other. Being madly busy is
not easy to cope with when you are
studying; but it has no choice but to
work out.
Why did you decide to go into music?
I was always going to do music as soon
as I discovered my flair for it and I was
working on sounds too in a studio and
some of my friends used to say that I
should just try doing my own thing. So, I
took it up when I realised that I could
actually make some decent sounds. I’ve
always nurtured dreams of performing
live, so it just had to be done.
Which musicians inspire you?
TuFace, PSquare and the Koko Master
(Dbanj). Those guys are really
something. The big things they’ve done
in this industry are unforgettable. So,
that’s my drive as well – to (make) a
serious impact.
You travel a lot. Does your girlfriend not
complain?
(Laughs) If you know say I get, and you
sabi am, go ask am.
You mean you are not dating anyone
now?
No.
You must have a lot of ladies trying to
get your attention. How has the
reception from your female fans been
like?
It’s crazy, coupled with the fact that I
am young, and with girls in my age
group too. Here in Africa and in Europe,
the female fan base is wild. I really
appreciate it. When guys are feeling you
while you perform and also the girls are
gingered and sometimes crazier about
you, it’s cool.
We have had pictures of you in bed with
various kinds of ladies. How has that
affected your career?
If it has had any big effect on my career,
I’m not sure I know about it, because I
am still doing my thing and God still has
my back. God did not allow some
random act of one person who felt like
fooling around to now spoil my career or
ruin my image.
Shebi they wanted to snap me (take my
photograph)? They ‘snapped me’ and
went their way…and my life goes on.
That’s it.
What deals, endorsements, shows or
recognition have you got that were
quite memorable for you?
MTN of course. My first advert for MTN
Pulse was a big deal for me. It was a
great thing to be part of. Also, my shows
all over Nigeria and performing in
different states make me unable to
decide which one is my favourite,
seriously.
You perform in a state and get mad love
from the crowd; and then the next state
is even crazier. And that’s how it just
keeps going. So, my high points are
those moments when my fans show
dedication, and show me love like ‘Ah,
you be our guy; you be our man, you
know?
Which musicians do you dream of
working with internationally?
It won’t be bad working with Pitbul,
David Guetta, Sean Paul, and Nicki
Minaj.
Your dad is wealthy and influential.
Would you say his wealth has been a
propelling factor in your career?
My father is wealthy, yes, and I am
thankful to God for that. One way or the
other, in my music career, there’s
always a point where the gratitude goes
to my father and always a point where
my father’s wealth has been a useful
factor.
As for opening doors, well, maybe. But
money is not everything and every part
of it, behind the scenes of success is a
lot of blood, sweat and tears.
If you were not a musician, what other
career path would you have chosen?
Maybe a producer; but if you mean
totally out of music, maybe one big
businessman.
Reports say you were caught abroad
spending fake money. How did that
happen?
Go and ask the so called reporters
whether na dem put fake currency for
my hand. How does that even make
sense? We were in Europe and spending
good hard-earned money, even when
the person we had a deal with was
defaulting, and didn’t want to pay us.
So it was just some rubbish they cooked
up to spoil our names, and get away
with breaking our contract. But of
course, we don pass that one, so na
dem sabi.
What’s the most expensive thing you
have ever pampered yourself with?
My house! But if that doesn’t count as
pampering, then maybe one of my
Rolexes that the price tag can give
somebody ‘Apollo’.
You have so many tattoos. Are you just
following the trend or you’re doing your
own thing?
I feel the need to ink my skin, so I do it.
Simple. It’s my desire and that’s all.
What’s the craziest thing you have ever
done on stage?
(Laughs) Nothing too wild; I just kissed a
girl from the stage.
Some of your fans complain that you
don’t have strong lyrics but only project
the elitist life?
It’s what we need to drive the sounds;
those kinds of lyrics are what the
industry, as it is, is moved by. I can
decide now to bring out the deepest of
my emotions through lyrics. And you
know, they will say Davido is boring.
In your dull moments, what do you do
to get back in line?
I just make a mad beat, or take a trip to
somewhere of interest.
How do you relax?
I go to the most exotic resorts and
lounges in any country I’m currently in.
Then sometimes I like to just (relax)
with my headphones and just jam for
hours, undisturbed.
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