May D Claims He Was Once Bigger Than Wizkid and Davido in the Nigerian Music Industry

Nigerian singer Akinmayokun Awodumila, popularly known as May D, has revealed that there was a time he ranked above Afrobeats superstars Wizkid and Davido in the Nigerian music industry. The artist, famous for hits like Soundtrack and Ile Ijo, shared this insight during a recent interview on The Honest Bunch podcast.

Reflecting on the early days of his career, May D reminisced about his time alongside Wizkid and Davido as one of the top three artists in the country. He further claimed that his music was once more popular than theirs, saying, “Then it was Wizkid, Davido, and I. I was even like bigger. Wetin be ‘Holla at Your Boy’ compared to ‘Soundtrack?’”

May D first gained attention in 2011 after joining Square Records, the label owned by the award-winning duo P-Square. However, his time with the label was brief, as he was dropped in August 2012, a move he believes hindered his rapid rise in the industry.

In the interview, May D reflected on how parting ways with P-Square was pivotal in his career. He suggested that this decision allowed other artists, including Wizkid, to surpass him in popularity. The 39-year-old singer also opened up about his financial struggles during his time at Square Records, revealing that he didn’t even have a bank account for the first four years of his career. He recalled an incident where Davido, who was running away from his father at the time, visited his room at P-Square’s house and was shocked by the living conditions. “If I had a room, it would have been cooler,” May D said.

May D’s candid reflections on his career remind him of the unpredictable nature of the music industry and the challenges artists face, even when they are once at the top.