Five-time Grammy nominee and Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has credited his family with helping him overcome personal loss, public scandals and difficult periods in his life.

Davido said his siblings and father were always the first people to contact him whenever he faced a crisis.

The singer disclosed this during an interview with VIBE Magazine, where he discussed family, grief, marriage, friendship and the changes he has made to his inner circle.

“Without my family, I don’t think I would be able to have gotten through loss, gotten through scandals. ‘Cause let me tell you, when anything happens, the first… Like, anything bad happens, guess who the first people calling? My brother, my sister, my father. You know what I’m saying? Our mom’s late, you know, but you know what I’m saying, my family is always the first to get to me,” he said.

Davido explained that his relatives remained close to him after the death of his son and supported him until he felt ready to return to his career.

“When I lost my child, my family was the first to get to me and stayed with me till I was okay. You know what I’m saying? So one thing I’ve learned, like, family should not be played with, ’cause they got me back to where I needed to be, you know what I’m saying? Mentally, spiritually,” he said.

The singer added that having his family watch him perform again carried special meaning because they had witnessed his struggle and recovery.

He said their presence reminded him of how far he had come after stepping away from public life.

“It’s just amazing when they see when I’m on stage now performing and they’re there watching like, ‘Yes, Davido got his mojo back.’

Davido acknowledged that some people have difficult relationships with their relatives but said his experience had been different.

“I meet a lot of people too that where their family kind of, kind of crossed them. But in my situation, like my family has been very good to me.

“Anytime there’s any problem, they come to my rescue. Even the days where I’m so busy and I don’t even remember to call them, but when I need them, they’re there for me,” he said.

The singer also revealed that marriage, fatherhood and changes in his lifestyle had influenced his decision to reduce the number of people around him.

According to him, he no longer moves with the large entourage that characterised the early years of his career because he now shares his home with his wife and children.

“Now I live with the kids and my wife. I can’t have 100 people in my house like before,” he said.

Davido clarified that reducing his circle did not mean ending his friendships or abandoning those who had supported him.

He said he had assisted many of them financially and encouraged them to establish businesses instead of depending on him without a clear purpose.

“It’s not like everybody that used to be around me are not still friends and not… you know. I’ve set everybody up financially,” he said.

“If you’re around me, get something to do. What business do you want to do? Oh, you want to open a shop for your wife’s spot? Okay. How much? You take this,” he added.

The singer said he also allows people who secure business opportunities for him to receive a percentage of the value.

“If you bring a deal for me, I’ll let you get your 10%. I don’t care if it’s $4m. You get your 10% if you brought the deal,” he said.

Davido explained that his smaller circle had also changed his recording process.

Unlike in the past when several people joined him in the studio, he now works with fewer people who contribute directly to the music and his wider career.

“When it’s time to work, we got to get to it,” he said.

He added that respect remains one of his biggest requirements for anyone seeking to remain around him.

“Respect. Definitely. Like when I see somebody acting out of character, respect to people. Respect a woman. Respect in general,” he said.

Davido, who recently completed a 53-show world tour, said his upbringing taught him to care for others while protecting the family relationships that helped him through his most difficult moments.