Davido Declares His Impact on Afrobeats Is Unquestionable
Nigerian singer Davido, born David Adeleke, has made a bold claim about his undeniable influence on the afrobeats genre. The artist, best known for hits like “Skelewu,” recently shared his thoughts in an interview with TheBeatJuice magazine, stating that his name cannot be excluded when discussing the genre’s evolution.
“Afrobeats can’t be discussed without mentioning my name. It’s impossible,” Davido stated, reaffirming his pivotal role in the rise of afrobeats. As one of the leading figures in the genre, alongside Wizkid and Burna Boy, his contributions have undoubtedly shaped the global presence of African music.
Despite his prominent position in the afrobeats scene, Davido has voiced his concerns about how African artists are often placed into a single genre. In a past appearance on the Business Untitled Podcast, he expressed frustration over the tendency to categorize all African artists as afrobeats musicians, regardless of their distinct musical styles.
While he identifies his music as “afro-fusion,” blending various influences, Davido emphasized that he is not offended by being grouped under the afrobeats label. He recognizes the importance of a unifying genre for African music’s global recognition and success.
“I don’t mind being called afrobeats,” Davido explained. “We need a genre to define our music. Whether it’s R&B or Afropop, I’m happy to be part of that wave. I call my sound afro-fusion, but I’m not concerned about the label on every song.”
Through his statements, Davido highlights his pride in the global recognition of African music, acknowledging how far the industry has come. He believes that the rise of afrobeats, as a category, has been instrumental in bringing African music to the world stage, even if the label doesn’t fully capture his diverse sound.
In conclusion, Davido’s impact on the music scene cannot be overstated. Whether identified as afrobeats or afro-fusion, his work redefines African music’s boundaries, pushing it to new heights.
