Davido hoists Naija’s flag on world map again

Nigerian music superstar, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido, has become one of the most celebrated music star in the world as he last Sunday, once again hoisted the Nigerian flag on the world map when he clinched the Best International Act at the year’s edition of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards that held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, ahead of other superstars like Bobba, Distruction Boyz, (South Africa), Cassper Nyovest, Dadju, Niska (France), Fally Ipupa (DRC), J Hus, Stefflon Don, Stormzy (UK), and Tiwa Savage.

The Omo Baba Olowo (O.B.O) crooner become the first Nigerian and indeed the first international act nominee to receive the award live on stage during the ceremony since the inception of that category in 2010.

Over the years, the issue of the winner of the category receiving their awards at the backstage or before the awards is one that has lingered on for years.

Organisers of the awards has received a lot of knock from artistes, particularly Africans for the decision to award winners in that manner.

Artistes such as Wizkid, who has won that award twice — 2012 and 2017 — criticized organisers of the awards, and once said in an interview that he doesn’t go for such shows because it ‘doesn’t take nonsense’.

The organisers hearkening to the voice of reason, for the first time this year decided to change the rule by allowing nominees/winner of the category to receive the award on stage.

In his acceptance speech, the rave making Assurance singer, used the platform to market Africa, urging fellow artistes to come to Africa, eat the food, wear the clothes, as the continent has influence so many cultures.

“I want to talk about Africa. My continent has been so blessed to influence so many cultures.

I am telling you guys to come to Africa, eat the food, wear the clothes. Get ready for me; let’s celebrate. My album drops this year,” he said.

He also condoled the koko master, Dapo Oyebanjo well known as Dbanj, who lost his one-year son on the day. This is second time the Aye crooner is winning the BET Best International Act. He won the award in 2014. 

Speaking about his continuous rise to fame, the Skelewu singer said, “If I could explain, then I’d be lying because everything happened fast. But one thing I’d always tell myself is work hard.

“I remember back then at Ice Prince’s album launch at the Eko Hotel, I told myself that I too must do same thing.

So I had to work hard, and I have been working hard also with prayers to God to bless me with hit songs because I know that when you have God and support like good structures, everything falls into place for you. To me, whoever God wants to blow will blow.

Asked if he had expected to be this big in music career, the head honcho of Davido World Music said, “I didn’t expect it to be this big at all.

When I first started in the industry, I used to tell myself that I don’t want to be too big; I just want to be in the industry and don’t want to be known too much.

But after some time, I started getting bigger and people could recognise me anywhere I go.

According to him, at first, his father didn’t want him to go into music. “But now, anywhere both of us go, people call him Baba Omo Olowo.

At first he was 100 percent against me; he wanted me to focus on my education, which I have been able to complete,” he enthused.

Celebrating her boo’s latest win, Chioma, whom Davido dedicated his Assurance song to, took to Instagram to celebrate the victory and also prayed for higher heights.

“You ‘re a born winner! God hasn’t even started with you. Cheers to unending victory baby! I love you,” she wrote.