Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed that his family pursued him after he released his breakout hit, “Dami Duro,” as he chose to chase a music career against their wishes. In a recent interview with Vibe Magazine, the Grammy-nominated artist recalled facing intense opposition from his family, who expected him to prioritize his education and eventually join his father’s business enterprise. “I was even on the run at the time from my family when I dropped that record,” Davido shared, explaining that he was around 17 years old when the track was released.
Reflecting on the song’s lyrics, the singer noted that they directly reflected his real-life struggles and determination to push forward despite family pressure. “If you listen to the record, like, ‘You stop trying to stop me, I’m the son of a rich man.’ So that was what I was going through at the time,” he explained. Coming from a background focused heavily on academic achievement, Davido felt heightened pressure as the youngest of five children. With all his older siblings already university graduates, stepping away from the conventional path created significant tension at home.
“I come from a family which is education-based. The rule is that you go to school, after you go to school, you go and work for daddy. That’s how it is,” he said. “I’m the last kid of five. So imagine the pressure on me having all my siblings have graduated.” Initial resistance eventually gave way to pride as his success grew. Davido revealed that his father went on to become one of his biggest supporters once he recognized his genuine talent and dedication.
Before the success of “Dami Duro,” Davido had invested time in mastering music production and sound engineering, skills that allowed him to craft his early records. He added that he initially attempted to hide his wealthy background so listeners would evaluate his talent on its own merit rather than view him through the lens of privilege. “I didn’t want them to know that I was well off because I just felt like they wouldn’t treat me the same,” he said. Now spanning over 15 years in the music industry, Davido’s career features multiple global hits, sold-out international tours, and numerous prestigious awards.
