Davido Recounts Atlanta Club Incident and His Strategic Payback
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has opened up about a memorable encounter with a club owner in Atlanta who once showed blatant disrespect towards Nigerian music. The singer detailed this story during a recent Twitch livestream with streamer Davrel, highlighting how the incident left a lasting impression on him and shaped his future actions.
The Disrespectful Moment That Sparked a Long-Term Memory
Davido explained that the event occurred during his early days when a DJ was playing African songs at the club. The owner abruptly interrupted, taking the microphone and demanding that the music be stopped, specifically targeting Nigerian tracks. "I'll never forget, one DJ was just playing African music, then the owner of the club took the mic, he said, Man, turn that sh!t off. The owner of the club said they should stop playing Nigerian music," Davido recalled. He added that this owner had a history of hostility towards Nigerians, even refusing him entry into the club when he was younger, which compounded the disrespect.
Years Later: A Calculated Response Through Business and Fans
Three years after the incident, when the same club owner attempted to book Davido for a performance, the singer saw an opportunity for payback. Davido charged him an exorbitant fee, using what he called "better billing" as a direct response to the past slight. He stated, "Three years later, the guy tried to book me. I billed him so much. I knocked him with better billing. I said, remember when I was young and you used to not let me in the club?" This financial move was just the beginning of his retaliation.
Davido further mobilized his loyal fan base, known as 30BG, to launch a social media campaign against the club owner. The fans attacked the owner's online pages until they were taken down, creating significant backlash. This collective action forced a dramatic change in the club's attitude. The next time Davido visited, the club rolled out the red carpet to welcome him, offering what he described as a "classic treatment." He noted, "The next day when I was going to that club, they put red carpet for me to enter. Because my fans destroyed his page... Ah, the next day, he gave me a classic treatment."
Netizens React to Davido's Revelation
The story sparked varied reactions from netizens, with some praising Davido's authenticity and others questioning his methods. Comments included:
- @orobosmoney635 said: "This guy too real i swear see the way he day change accent anyhow."
- @petra557358 commented: "See as everywhere sweet. If you are not love at home, you won't love Davido."
- @olabode151884 reacted: "That's his contributions to culture?"
- @C2Cornelius wrote: "See what he's proudly saying, so he do use to send he's bingos to attack people."
- @JurisDevon reacted: "Wow an A list artist saying this? So obviously this is what he does whenever he has a problem with anyone."
Davido's Reflections on Politics and Alternative Career Paths
In related discussions, Davido also touched on his political ambitions, revealing that his interest in politics has waned after observing the struggles of other entertainers in that arena. He emphasized that his music career, reputation, and fan base make him cautious about entering politics, despite an earlier passion for it. Additionally, Davido shared that if music had not succeeded, he would have pursued journalism due to his love for movies and storytelling, showcasing his multifaceted interests beyond the entertainment industry.
This story underscores Davido's commitment to standing up for Nigerian music and culture, using both business acumen and fan power to address past disrespect. It highlights the evolving dynamics in the global music scene and the influence of artists in shaping cultural perceptions.
