Nigerian music icon David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has shed light on a significant period in his early career, revealing that he sought counsel from fellow superstars Wizkid and Wande Coal on how to navigate the challenging path of combining academic pursuits with a burgeoning music career. This revelation came during his appearance in the recent Afrobeats Documentary.
The Crucial Advice from Industry Peers
According to Davido, the esteemed duo presented him with a clear, albeit challenging, ultimatum: the only viable way to successfully transition from academia to a full-time music career was to achieve widespread fame, or as they put it, “blow up.” This advice underscored the immense pressure on aspiring artists to make a significant impact early on.
Understanding his father’s strong emphasis on education, Davido initially knew that abandoning his studies for music would be met with staunch disapproval. However, destiny intervened with the release of his groundbreaking hit single, ‘Dami Duro’. The song’s explosive success created an irreversible shift, making it virtually impossible for him to continue his university education as originally planned. “I asked Wizkid and Wande Coal how they left school to do music. They told me the only way was to blow up. I knew my dad wouldn’t allow me, but when ‘Dami Duro’ blew up, I couldn’t continue,” Davido recounted in the documentary.
Balancing Stardom and Academia
Despite the initial divergence from his academic path, Davido eventually found a way to reconcile his passion for music with his educational responsibilities. He reached a pivotal agreement with his father, which saw him return to school. In exchange for continuing his studies, he secured express permission to fully pursue his musical ambitions and was even provided with a recording studio. This unique arrangement allowed him to successfully juggle both worlds, culminating in his graduation from Babcock University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. His journey stands as a testament to perseverance and strategic negotiation in the pursuit of one’s dreams.