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David ‘Davido’ Adeleke recently marked a decade of his music career and his journey to becoming one of Africa’s most influential contemporary artistes of the last 10 years has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but one thing has however stayed consistent: His trajectory to the top cannot be overemphasized.
From a flashy-eyed teenager to a superstar, Davido’s rise to a global star is a product of hardwork, media personality, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi confirmed in ‘We Rise: The Davido Story’, a new Netng documentary on the music star released on January 15, 2022.
There is a lot to unpack from Davido’s career, especially for new and rising stars hoping to make it in the music industry. While each person will not be the same as others, some formulas have been tested and have shown to work as seen in a decade of Davido’s career.
- Hustle like a pauper
If any artiste in Nigeria has the financial safety net not to take music too seriously, it is Davido. Despite his familial wealth, his effort towards his music career is well recognised by those in the industry as well as music lovers. Journalist Eromo Egbejule described him as someone who hustles like a pauper. He said: “Davido hustles like a pauper. If I had the kind of money his father has, I assure you I will be throwing my leg up in Dubai. He hustles like he still wants to make his mark.”
His drive is evident in how much effort he has put into his craft for ten years.
- Money can be a disadvantage
As Obi Asika puts it in his assessment of Davido and the criticisms of his rich kid status in ‘We Rise: The Davido Story,’ a new documentary by Netng, money sometimes can be a disadvantage. This is because the industry is perceived to be exclusive of the lower and middle class, so someone with money is likely to be looked at with disdain. Despite his father’s affluence, Davido had to prove himself as worthy of a place at the top on his own.
- Education
You cannot underestimate the importance of education in life. In Music, it is even more important despite the seeming facade some people have created about it. Education goes a long way in boosting the transition from an up-and-coming African artiste to a global superstar. Beyond the art of singing and having talents, there is also the business, branding, communication, engineering, and more involved. Davido might not have a sonorous voice, but education plays a role in his image and global recognition.
His lecturer at Babcock University, Dr Olusegun Ojuola, spoke about the influence of education on Davido’s music career in the documentary and how he has benefitted from it in the long run.
- Seizing opportunities
Media personality and former OAP at BeatFM Lagos, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi described Davido as someone who made the best use of his opportunity. In the documentary, she recalled how he made her listen to his music during her first meeting with him and followed up with her after.
She said, unlike other artistes who give their songs to media personalities and forget about it, Davido, after finding out she worked in radio, used the opportunity to get his music out there.
She said: ‘My first encounter with Davido was back when he was 12 or 14; I was introduced to his sister, and Davido found out that I worked in radio at the time, and he was very enthusiastic and very excited. He made me sit down and listen to a song; I can’t remember which. He told me: “I produced it myself, and I made the beat.’”
- Family is important
Despite the tough reservation from his father in the formative days of his music career, Davido has continued to maintain a cordial relationship with his family. This, no doubt, has allowed him to progress as an artiste. He has performed at family functions while also giving his children quality time. His growth has not alienated him from his family, which according to Gbemi is a key ingredient of growth.
Tosin Ajibade, a social media strategist and founder of lifestyle blog, OloroSuperGal.com, described him as a family person who is always there for his children.
“Davido is a family person. If you get to see how he relates with his children, you can see he wants to be there for them.”
- Hurdles will come
The road to success is bumpy, and Davido appears to know how to navigate it well. From his father sending the police to his music shows to losing a lot of loved ones and confidantes, Davido has risen through it all. Even within the music industry, Davido has had to battle other artistes who feel he was out of place there. Despite all these, his focus on his craft has remained constant, leading to great success.
- Lifting others
After receiving artiste of the year award at the Headies Award in 2018, Davido reiterated the need for other artistes who are now superstars to help other rising stars.
He referenced it as a pointer towards his own growth as his journey to the top is made possible because of the people around him he has helped.
In celebration of his 29th birthday in 2021, Davido asked anyone he has supported to send him money and he posted his account details on social media. In reaction, hundreds of Nigerians sent money to his account and by the following day, he had received more than ₦200 million. He announced that he would add ₦50 million to it and the money would go to different orphanages across the country.
- Fans
Davido’s love for his fans is evident in how he relates with them in person, on social media and at shows. He constantly thanks them for buying his albums, streaming his songs and supporting him over the years. He also provides support to them when necessary and this has allowed his fanbase to grow and also keep his brand up there.
- Respect colleagues
Despite the seeming lack of acceptance and support from some of his peers in the industry, Davido has never failed to show respect to everyone in the industry.
He once openly claimed that the industry has shown him a lot of hatred over his rich kid status, but his focus has been on his music. He was quick to congratulate Burna Boy and Wizkid on their Grammy win in 2021 despite reports that Burna has taunted him of using his father’s wealth to get into the music industry.
- Consistency
Davido’s 10 years in the music industry has seen him grow year after year making good music and spreading his music tentacles globally. He achieved this feat through hard work and consistency.
In those ten years, many artistes have breezed into the music scene and fizzled out, but Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi said in ‘We Rise: The Davido Story,’ that Davido’s hard work has stood him out.
“Whether or not you think he is rich, that he has gotten to where he is, he hustles like he has no money and rent is due today” Gbemi said.
The post #TheDavidoStory: 10 Lessons Upcoming Artistes Can Learn From Davido As He Marks A Decade Of His Career appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
Source: TheNet
