Omanghana
Nigerian Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has sparked debate across the music industry after suggesting that he may soon step away from music to concentrate on building multibillion-dollar business ventures.
The controversy began after Nigerian rapper Erigga posted a message celebrating musicians who had built their careers without the benefit of family wealth.
“Shoutout to all the musicians who don’t come from family money and had to grind for every single dollar they earn,” Erigga wrote.
Davido, whose father, Adedeji Adeleke, is a billionaire industrialist, appeared to interpret the post as a criticism of musicians from wealthy families. He responded by arguing that artists born into affluent homes also deserve recognition when they work hard to establish successful careers.
“No be we say make your pops no guard o. Shoutout to the ones that came from family money and still grind to the top,” he wrote.
The award-winning singer then suggested that he could leave the music industry to focus on expanding his business interests, claiming that Afrobeats would become less exciting without his presence.
“No worry o, I go soon leave their music for una, go make my billions … then that shit gonna be boring AF. Deep down, who like poverty?” Davido added.
His comments generated mixed reactions on social media. Supporters defended the singer, pointing to his achievements, longevity and role in promoting Afrobeats internationally. They argued that his privileged upbringing did not eliminate the effort required to build and sustain a global music career.
Critics, however, described his response as entitled and maintained that the Afrobeats industry was bigger than any individual performer. Others argued that Erigga’s original post was simply intended to acknowledge the additional challenges faced by musicians without financial or industry connections.
Davido’s remarks come shortly after he discussed the psychological pressures associated with sustained fame and constant public scrutiny. The singer previously acknowledged that knowing when to leave the industry while still at the height of one’s career remained an issue he regularly considered.
It remains unclear whether Davido’s latest statement reflects a definite retirement plan or was made in the heat of the online exchange.
Source: Omanghana
