Global Stardom: Davido’s Claim on D’banj’s International Success Raises Questions

In a recent interview with Apple Music, Afrobeats singer Davido, aka David Adeleke, made a bold claim: D’banj was the first Nigerian musician to achieve global stardom. According to Davido, Nigerian artists were not getting international bookings before the global success of D’banj’s 2012 hit single ‘Oliver Twist’. He credits D’banj’s international success with inspiring a paradigm shift, leading to African music gaining traction in the Western world.

Davido recalled watching Kanye West in D’banj’s ‘Oliver Twist’ video on YouTube, which sparked a change in the way Americans booked Nigerian artists for shows. “It was because of the success of ‘Oliver Twist’ that Americans started booking D’banj, 2Face, P-Square and other African artists for shows,” he said. “They were making about $1,000,000 per show. So I decided to switch and start doing African music because that’s where I am from.”

However, many observers disagree with Davido’s claim that D’banj was the first Nigerian musician to achieve international stardom. Nigerian music legends such as Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Majek Fashek, and others were popular on the international stage in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. 2Baba, formerly known as 2Face, had already won several international awards and had his hit song ‘African Queen’ used as a soundtrack in the popular American romantic comedy ‘Phat Girlz’ (2006), years before D’banj’s ‘Oliver Twist’ was released.

While D’banj did contribute to the globalisation of African music, especially Afrobeats in the early days of its exportation, the debate surrounding Davido’s claim highlights the complexity of the music industry and the often-overlooked contributions of pioneers. As the music landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of all artists who have played a significant role in shaping the genre.