Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed that he was on the run from his family when he released his breakthrough hit single Dami Duro in 2011.
Speaking in an interview with Vibe Magazine on Thursday, the Grammy-nominated artiste disclosed that he faced strong opposition from his family, who wanted him to complete his education and join his father’s business rather than pursue a career in music.
“I was even on the run at the time from my family when I dropped that record,” Davido said.
The singer, who was 17 going on 18 at the time of the song’s release, explained that the lyrics reflected the personal struggles he was facing. “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 stated.
Davido noted that he comes from a family that prioritised education. “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.
As the last of five children, the pressure was particularly intense. “I’m the last kid of five. So imagine the pressure on me having all my siblings have graduated,” he added.
Despite the initial resistance, Davido said his father, Adedeji Adeleke, eventually became one of his strongest supporters after recognising his talent and the success of his music. “My daddy was like, ‘Ah, why is he this last one? Why is he this stubborn last boy…’ But now, that’s my biggest fan,” he remarked.
The artiste also revealed that he mixed and mastered Dami Duro himself with little planning, and that he initially kept his privileged background quiet so people would judge him solely on his music.
Dami Duro went on to become a defining anthem of early Afrobeats, launching Davido’s career and cementing his place as one of Africa’s biggest global music stars. More than 15 years later, the singer continues to mark major milestones in the industry.