I'm Not In Competition With Wizkid — Davido

David Adeleke, also known as Davido, is one musician who knows how to hit the headlines with his songs any time he drops one. Since he made his debut in the music industry some years back, his profile has continued to rise. In this interview the singer shares the story behind his success and plans for the future. Excerpts:

At 21 years old, you have been able to put your name and songs on the lips of many and also earned yourself mouth watering endorsement deals. How do you feel?

I didn’t know you would arrive at this question. But let me just say that God has been good to me and I am always thankful for that grace. It has been magnanimous than what I could ever imagine in my life. I feel good right now. I feel very great as well. Nobody else could have made this happen in my life time but God. I also thank my fans out for the massive love and encouragement that they have shown me since the first day I released my first single, Ema Damiduro”, when my name was heard. I don’t think I know how to explain the joy. In fact, let me say I dare not attempt to explain it because the truth is that right now, the only thing I need to say is to say thank you all. Everything is just working out well for me right now and I am very thankful to them and my crew for their support over the years.

At this age, do you think you have the capacity to handle the dimension your life has assumed?

Many people don’t know me and they tend to fabricate different versions of stories that I find very difficult to believe. God and hard work brought me to this level, those are the two major factors that have shaped my life. I didn’t see the success coming my way back then, but I never stopped believing in myself. All I have ever cared about, and still care about, is how to make good music. That hunger for success is what is actually paying off today. So, yes, my life has assumed a level that I have to be careful about certain things.

Like what?

As a young man that is still growing, you have to be careful of what you do or say out there. A lot of people look up to you and some people just want to see how you will react to issues like that. But you also have to believe that God brought all these things my way and I know He will guide me through them all.

God guides those who have to time to pray and commune with him regularly. Do you find time to pray these days with the activities that many expect will naturally be distracting?

Yes, I pray. Even if I have to struggle or try, I still pray to God even for few minutes every day. I believe strongly in the efficacy of prayer and I know that God answers prayers. Without God in what a man does, nothing glorifying can be achieved. I have come this far in the industry not because I am the best singer, but because God has been good to me. Everybody is happy right now because God is answering our prayers.

You have a way of hitting the headlines with your songs. This time around, your song, Aye, is every where, but as much as it has brought you more recognition, it appears to have exposed the woman in your life as reports have suggested that you composed the song for her...

Cuts in...That’s news to me as far as I am concerned. I don’t know how, where and why people fabricate stories that are entirely false. How did they know I composed the song for a girl in the first place? I can’t remember telling anybody I composed the song for my girl because there is no girl in the first place, let alone compose a song for her.

Are you saying that the song Aye was not inspired by any girl?

The song was inspired by God, just like any of the other songs that I have released before now, and even the others that will still be coming from my stable.

The social media is growing every day and every blogger wants to be famous with all kinds of stories. 

A lot of things have been reported about me, especially on the social media platforms which I don’t believe is the best thing to be discussed right now, especially the error, or lie about my relationship with one girl or the other. But because of this session, and the sanity that prevails among the regular media and reliable media like as the print, I want to categorically state that I am not in any relationship with any girl that you might have read about. In fact, this is coming as news to me because I don’t even know something like that has been said about me.

It was on the cover of the Entertainment page of a tabloid weeks ago

I don’t doubt what you have just said because I have read even worst stories, but it doesn’t mean that it is true. Another truth is that I haven’t read it. What does it matter anyway?

What about the girl in the video, is it true you are dating her?

Now you guys are really sounding funny to me. Haba, Nigerian journalists, you have come again ooo. That girl is my friend. We were not supposed to use her in the video in the first place.What happened was that I wanted to feature the winner of the most beautiful girl beauty pageant in Nigeria in the video, but her manager called few hours to production to say she would not be available for the shoot.

And why was the agreement terminated by her manager?

I didn’t even bother to ask because it was already getting very late and I just wanted to shoot the video so I could move on with my career. Whatever reason her manager had was of no basis. I don’t even know if he was the one that terminated the deal. Anyway, the rest is history because the video was eventually done and people liked it.

So, who was the girl in the video?

The girl in that video is my friend. She is my make-up artist. I decided to use her because the beauty queen we were supposed to feature was not available. I have already told you that. In her absence was the presence of my make up specialist and we tried her for the slot and she did very well in the video. I am neither dating her nor any other girl as I speak with you. Please, disregard any rumour linking me with any girl right now. If the girl in the video is my girl friend, I won’t denounce her.

Are you saying there is no girl in your life and you did not dedicate the song to any girl?

Right now, I am focusing on my music. I don’t want to mix my career with women now. They are two diferent things that you must handle separately and carefully. I am single and I am not even searching. I don’t know about dedicating the song to anybody because it was just a song.

So you don’t have time for women now?

I never said that nor implied that. What I am just saying is that I am concentrating on my music for now, but then I’m not ruling out women absolutely. I am just waiting for the right time when I will be able to create enough time for that special one. For now, I am dedicating all my time to music and I want to push it to a very meaningful level with the help of God and the support of my record label.

Did you expect Aye would be such a massive hit?

I only knew it was a nice song and that people would love it, but I never expected that it would be such a massive hit. I am still surprised that the song has gone that far. It shows that Nigerians know good music and they appreciate beautiful songs when they hear one.

It is believed that you don’t write your songs but that you buy them from others. How true is this?

I write my songs myself. I have never bought songs from anyone since I started out. I don’t buy songs. The inspiration I get to write my songs comes from God. Like I said, when God is working for you, you don’t ask Him how He does his things.

Many are saying that because you don’t appear like someone who could compose the kind of songs you have released in the past two years.

How do you know those people who can compose beautiful songs? Huh? What do they look like sir? You know people are funny. When they don’t understand you, they come up with stories, with hypothesis. My look has nothing to do with the songs I am capable of writing or singing. God gave me this talent, but it would not have taken me this far if I had not worked hard on it every day and night. For the purpose of setting the records straight, I write my songs myself.

Are you thinking of settling down now?

Nah! Not once has the thought crossed my mind. I am not thinking about that just yet my brothers. Settle down? Now? No, no, not now. I am enjoying music right now. Forget about woman for now, ask me about music.

But you have money. That should motivate you enough to get married.

Money is not everything in life. I don’t even think about money. Money is good and it helps you to handle certain things, but money will not get you a good woman, neither can it buy you happiness. I am happy right now loving what I do best; music. If you are going to get a God-fearing woman, you shouldn’t even think about convincing her with money.

What exactly does music mean to you?

Music is very emotional to me and I care so much about it. It is one thing that I put in my head and my mind every day. I had said to myself before now that it was going to be music or nothing else. I have been working hard over the years, but many people don’t know what Davido has gone through before hitting the limelight. As far as I know, I sleep and wake up with music in my head. Music runs in my vein like blood. Sometimes I ask myself, don’t I need to slow down a bit? But I just want to keep pushing out good songs to the people every time. I want them to know that Davido is here for them anytime.

As an MTN ambassador, what are you expected to do?

I am happy about the deal. First of all, MTN knows what is good and goes for it. The company knows how to treat their ambassadors well. I am happy to be with them and that’s why I am endorsed by them in the first place. We do shows and campaigns for the youth. I am comfortable working with the organisation because I enjoy the package that comes with my responsibility as an ambassador for the company, even though it restricts me from playing at other shows. But trust me, I am enjoying it.

What’s your relationship with other MTN ambassadors?

I am cool with all of them. We see each other once in a while at shows and we relate very well. We all get along very well.

What about Wizkid, do you two get along?

I don’t have any problem with Wizkid. We were together at the MTN show last week and we spoke quite well on some issues.

But what is it about you guys that any time you release a song, he also releases almost immediately. Have you noticed that as well?

I don’t know if he does that. I don’t bother myself with what another act is doing. I just want to do my music and give my fans something to talk about. I have never even noticed what you are telling me now. Maybe I will start paying attention to it as from now. It is not about any strategy though.

Tell us about your collaboration with Mafikizolo music group from South Africa

I met them in South Africa sometime back and we got talking since then. I noticed that they are doing great in their country and some parts of Africa, so we got talking and we decided to do a song together. We have also shot the video of the song. The song is already making waves and I know the video too will do well.

What’s new about Davido?

I just dropped my video with Mafikizolo and the launch party was amazing. A lot of people came out to show their support and we all had fun. I am going back on the second leg of my American tour. I don’t think I am dropping an album this year, but watch out for my concert this December. It will shake the entire entertainment industry to its roots. I am bringing in two big entertainment acts from America to Nigeria.

You don’t want us to know?

Not yet bros. Not yet.

You have managed to remain relevant since you hit the limelight with ‘Ema Damiduro’. Do you think you can sustain that height?

It has been God since the day I started. I know God will never let me down and I am counting on my fans to remain relevant too.

Tell us about the HKN label. You are not the only one on the label but you seem to be taking the shine out of your label mates. Are they happy with your rapid development?

I wouldn’t say that. We are all working together for the success of every body. It took me a while before I got to this stage and I know they will also get there. We just dropped B Red’s video and the responses we have been getting are very encouraging. I know they will also get there at the right time.

Who are your friends in the music industry?

D’banj is cool. May D and P Square are cool too. I’m cool with everybody.

P-Square almost broke up recently but they were able to manage the problem. How do you feel about the development?

I feel good for them and I am happy that they didn’t break up. Nobody prayed for them to break up.

But people were saying it was all about publicity stunt, do you think so?

I don’t know about that. I am not concerned about that. I am happy they are still together. It would have been very sad if they had broken up.

How do you find time to relax?

I try to relax when the opportunity comes, but not every time as I have to be on the road regularly for one event or the other. I have fun when I can. I go to the club with my guys and play soccer with my friends once in a while.