Afrobeats heavyweight Davido has sparked fresh conversations online after claiming he knew British-Nigerian record producer Maleek Berry long before his musical rival, Wizkid, did.
Davido’s London Revelations
Speaking during a recent appearance on the +44 Podcast, the “Timeless” hitmaker reflected on his early days in the music industry. In a video clip that has since gone viral, Davido revealed that his connection with Maleek Berry dates back to a pivotal, rebellious phase in his youth when he left home for the United Kingdom.
“The first place I came to when I ran away from home is London. I was with Maleek Berry. Ask him, I’m the first person to know Maleek Berry,” Davido asserted during the interview.
A History of Collaboration and Rivalry
The statement has caught the attention of music enthusiasts because Maleek Berry is widely recognized as a close associate and frequent collaborator of Wizkid. Berry played an instrumental role in shaping Wizkid’s signature sound during the early 2010s, producing critically acclaimed tracks that helped solidify Wizkid’s global footprint.
Davido’s latest remarks have added a new layer to the decade-long supremacy battle between him and Wizkid. This legendary rivalry, which has largely shaped the modern Afrobeats landscape, is constantly kept alive by their passionate fan bases Davido’s “30 Billion Gang” (30BG) and “Wizkid FC” who frequently clash on social media over who holds the ultimate crown in African music.