I once ran errands for Don Jazzy, D’Banj, says Davido
Award-winning Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has made a shocking revelation about his early encounters with Nigerian music legends Don Jazzy and D’Banj, disclosing that he once ran errands for the duo during their visit to Atlanta in 2008.
The Grammy-nominated artiste made this disclosure during a recent interview on Streetz Studio with Et Cali, where he recounted how meeting the Mo’ Hits Records stars at age 14 inspired his eventual decision to pursue music as a full-time career.
Early Inspiration in Atlanta
Davido noted that in 2008, when he was just 14 years old, Don Jazzy and D’banj had gone to Atlanta for a show, and he was the one who picked them up from the airport. He stated that they came for something with Kanye West, which was amazing to him.
The ‘Unavailable’ hitmaker described the experience as life-changing, revealing how he served as their unofficial assistant during their stay in the American city where he was schooling.
“I was hanging out with D’banj at the time, he had that Kanye deal. These guys were the first people to show me that you can actually make it off African music,” Davido recalled during the interview.
The encounter happened at a time when D’Banj was making significant waves internationally, particularly with his collaboration with American rapper Kanye West’s GOOD Music label.
From Errand Boy to Superstar
What started as running errands for the established stars eventually became a pivotal moment in Davido’s career trajectory. The young Davido, who was born in Atlanta but of Nigerian heritage, found himself drawn to the possibilities that African music could offer on the global stage.
Nigerian singer Davido has acknowledged his senior colleagues Don Jazzy and D’banj as the key inspirations that influenced his decision to pursue music as a full-time career.
The revelation sheds light on the humble beginnings of one of Africa’s biggest musical exports, showing how mentorship and inspiration can come from unexpected encounters.
Father’s Initial Opposition
During the same interview, Davido also revealed how his father, billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke, initially opposed his musical ambitions after learning about his association with the music stars.
“I now told my Dad that I was trying to stay, and he was like ‘What? My friend you better go back to school,'” Davido recounted, describing his father’s reaction when he expressed interest in pursuing music instead of focusing on his education.
The ‘OBO’ crooner explained how his father’s initial resistance forced him to be strategic about his musical pursuits while maintaining his academic obligations.
The Don Jazzy-D’Banj Legacy
Don Jazzy and D’Banj, who co-founded Mo’ Hits Records in 2004, were among the pioneering forces that brought Nigerian music to international attention. Their influence on the younger generation of artistes, including Davido, demonstrates the ripple effect of their groundbreaking work.
D’banj is one of Africa’s most famous entertainers whose music popularized Afrobeats and contributed to the international appeal of Nigerian music. His hit single ‘Oliver Twist’ is one of Nigeria’s first break singles internationally and it’s described as an inspiration by Davido.
The Mo’ Hits duo’s international collaborations, particularly D’Banj’s deal with Kanye West’s GOOD Music, opened doors for subsequent Nigerian artistes to dream bigger and aim for global recognition.
Current Success Story
Today, Davido stands as one of Africa’s most successful musical exports, with multiple international accolades and collaborations with global superstars. His journey from running errands for established stars to becoming a headliner himself serves as an inspiration for aspiring artistes.
Davido’s dedication to his craft has paid up massively with a career that has spanned over a decade during which time, he has become one of Africa’s biggest musical acts. The four time Grammy nominee has consistently broken barriers and set new standards for African music on the global stage.
Industry Impact
The revelation highlights the importance of mentorship and early exposure in the entertainment industry. Davido’s story demonstrates how chance encounters and the willingness of established artistes to inspire the next generation can shape the future of the industry.
Music industry analysts note that such stories of humble beginnings often serve to motivate upcoming artistes while also showcasing the collaborative spirit within the African music community.
The interview has sparked conversations across social media platforms, with fans expressing amazement at the full-circle journey from errand boy to international superstar.
Looking Forward
As Davido continues to break new ground in his career, his acknowledgment of Don Jazzy and D’Banj’s influence serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of success in the music industry.
The story also reinforces the narrative of African music’s growth trajectory, from local appeal to global dominance, with each generation building upon the foundations laid by their predecessors.
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Both Don Jazzy and D’Banj have continued to remain relevant in the industry, with Don Jazzy currently running the successful Mavin Records label, home to stars like Rema and Ayra Starr, while D’Banj continues his musical and entrepreneurial pursuits.