Davido, the Nigerian afrobeats sensation also known as David Adeleke, recently opened up about a career setback he faced in 2016 after signing with Sony Music, an American record label. Although he joined Sony in 2015, his first project under the label, titled ‘Son Of Mercy,’ was released in 2016.
During his appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, co-hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, Davido described 2016 as a “dead year” for his career due to the underwhelming performance of his debut EP under Sony. He revealed that the label pushed him to work outside his comfort zone and collaborate with unfamiliar producers.
However, Davido eventually convinced the label to allow him to return to Nigeria, where he could make music in a style more familiar to him. The outcome of this decision was his 2017 mega-hit song, “If.”
Davido shared that he expressed his desire to the Sony Music team, explaining that while the producers they partnered him with were talented, he needed to go back to his roots. Consequently, he spontaneously boarded a plane and returned to Nigeria. Just two weeks after his return, “If” became a massive success.
Davido reflected on the common experience of artists facing highs and lows in their careers, where they feel untouchable at one point but then begin to fade. He acknowledged having gone through that phase himself and considered it the worst thing an artist can experience. However, upon returning to Nigeria, he regained his creative spark and found his “mojo” once again.
Davido shared the story of his career decline in 2016 after joining Sony Music, but how he revitalized his music by returning to Nigeria and creating the hit song “If,” which marked his resurgence.
