Davido says global success has reduced artists’ closeness

Afrobeats star Davido reflected on the evolution of the music scene, noting that while global financial rewards have skyrocketed, personal closeness among musicians has declined.

Afrobeats star Davido reflected on the evolution of the music scene on the Uncut Podcast, noting that while global financial rewards have skyrocketed, personal closeness among musicians has declined compared to the early 2010s. The singer spoke candidly about the changing dynamics of the Nigerian music industry, which has transformed from a tight-knit community into a highly competitive global enterprise.

Davido’s observation highlights the paradox of success: as the industry has grown and the financial rewards have increased, the personal bonds that once defined the scene have frayed. The early 2010s were a time of collaboration and camaraderie, but the pressures of global stardom have created a more competitive environment. The question is whether the loss of personal closeness is an inevitable price of success or a sign that the industry needs to find a new balance.

This echoes the 2023 reflections of other Nigerian artists on the changing dynamics of the industry, which also saw success come at a cost. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a recognition that success has changed the nature of the industry.

The winners: the artists who have achieved global success; and the Nigerian music industry, which has grown exponentially. The losers: the close-knit community of the past; and the Nigerian government, which must support the industry’s growth.

Bottom Line: Davido says success has come at the cost of closeness. The music industry has grown. The question is whether the community can be rebuilt or if the old bonds are gone forever.