Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has stirred reactions after suggesting that the Nigerian music industry would lack excitement without his presence.
The singer made the remark on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he wrote, “Imagine no Davido…. Sh*t [the music industry] would have been boring AF.”
The statement quickly sparked mixed responses online, with some social media users accusing the award-winning artiste of overstating his influence on the industry.
ALSO READ: Davido names Asake, Rema, Omah Lay as future Afrobeats greats
This is not the first time Davido has portrayed himself as central to the Nigerian music scene. In an interview with Apple Music in April 2025, the singer claimed that the industry experienced a lull during his absence from social media in November 2022, following the tragic death of his son, Ifeanyi Adeleke.
According to him, both fans and critics pleaded for his return during the three-month break, insisting that the industry felt incomplete without his online presence.
Davido first rose to prominence in 2011 with the release of his hit single Dami Duro, emerging at a period when a new generation of Afrobeats artistes—led by Wizkid—was beginning to dominate the Nigerian music landscape.
ALSO READ: Samklef accuses Davido of fueling toxicity, rivalry in Nigerian music industry
Meanwhile, veteran music producer Samklef has recently offered a contrasting view, alleging that Davido’s entry into the industry ushered in heightened rivalry and toxicity. He claimed that before Davido’s rise to fame, Nigerian artistes related with one another with greater mutual respect.
