Artists Of My Generation Must Step Aside For Younger Stars – Davido

Popular Afrobeats star Davido has said that artists of his generation should create room for younger talents to shine. He recently had his say while speaking on a recent episode of the Uncut Podcast, and fans have been reacting.

Reflecting on the future of his generation in the music industry, Davido stressed the need for a shift in focus, stating that American rapper Jay-Z is a good example of an artist who stepped back from active music yet remains influential.

The “Feel” crooner added that the strength of his catalogue affords him the opportunity to take a long break and still return to massive success.

His words, “I am not going to be 40, still dragging the spotlight with guys in their 20s. This is me and my contemporaries’ last 5–6 years.

I can take a 10-year break, come back, and still do a 50-arena tour. I have the catalogue. I might decide not to make another song for the rest of my life, and nobody is touching my catalogue.

There are so many other things music should be able to help you branch into.

I am not saying we should retire. But I am not going to be 40 and dragging the spotlight with some 20-year-old kid.”

David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), who is better known as Davido, is an American-born Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. Davido was born in Atlanta, US, and raised in Lagos; he made his music debut as a member of the music group KB International.

He studied business administration at Oakwood University before dropping out to make beats and record vocal references. Davido rose to fame after releasing “Dami Duro”, the second single from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo (2012), from which six additional singles—”Back When”, “Ekuro”, “Overseas”, “All of You”, “Gbon Gbon”, and “Feel Alright”—were taken. In 2012, Davido won the Next Rated award at The Headies. Between 2013 and 2015, he released the hit singles “Gobe”, “One of a Kind”, “Skelewu”, “Aye”, “Tchelete (Goodlife)”, “Naughty”, “Owo Ni Koko”, “The Sound” and “The Money”.

In May 2014, Davido criticized the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) after missing his flight to London, and accused them of pestering him for money. On May 11, 2014, the PR officer for the NIS denied Davido’s allegations and said they did not issue him an exit permit because he did not have the correct travel documents with him.

On April 6, 2012, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported Davido had signed a ₦30 million endorsement deal with MTN. The deal unveiled him as the face of MTN Pulse, a marketing campaign aimed at Nigerian youth. On October 24, 2013, Pulse Nigeria reported Guinness Nigeria had signed Davido for an endorsement deal.