Nigerian music megastar Davido has shed light on the journey of Afrobeats from being a continentally celebrated genre to a global music powerhouse.
In a recent interview on the Culture Knockout podcast, the Grammy-nominated singer reflected on how African artists, including himself, were once entirely content with success confined to the continent.
“Before Afrobeats went global, we African artists were comfortable being in Africa,” Davido said. “I was going to Gabon, Senegal, and getting 200,000 USD for a show, and I was 21, 22, 23 years old.”
The ‘Unavailable’ hitmaker revealed that even at a young age, he was commanding six-figure fees for performances across Africa, with countries like Congo, Gabon, and Mali forming part of his regular tour circuit. According to Davido, African music stars were thriving long before international recognition, thanks to wealthy local patrons and a growing continental fanbase that embraced their artistry.
Davido’s comments come amid ongoing misconceptions about the size and economic viability of the African music market. He pointed out that foreign audiences often underestimate the impact and reach of Afrobeats within Africa itself, assuming that the genre only found its footing after crossing into Western markets.
He used his own breakthrough hit ‘Fall’ as a turning point. “Until ‘Fall’ blew up internationally, I was based mostly in Nigeria. I would travel for shows, but I didn’t have to go on international tours or media runs,” he explained.
The 2017 single became one of Afrobeats’ most successful crossover records, earning extensive airplay in the United States and the UK. That success prompted Davido’s first formal media tour in those territories and marked a pivotal shift in how Nigerian music was consumed and appreciated globally.
Looking ahead, Davido noted that the landscape of Afrobeats has evolved beyond the once-dominant “Big 3” — himself, Wizkid, and Burna Boy. “Afrobeats is not just about the big 3 anymore. Now, we have a big 20, with so many artists making waves globally,” he said, praising the new generation of talents pushing the genre forward.
Today, Davido continues to ride the wave of Afrobeats’ global momentum. His latest album, ‘Five’, cements his position among the genre’s most influential figures. With every release, he contributes to the expanding footprint of Nigerian music on the world stage.
Davido’s reflections serve as a reminder that Afrobeats was never just an emerging trend — it was a cultural movement deeply rooted in African success before the world finally took notice.
You can watch Davido’s full interview on Culture Knockout for more insights into the evolution of Afrobeats and the artists leading its global charge.
