“D’banj was first Nigerian artist to gain global popularity” – Davido

Afrobeats sensation David Adeleke, better known as Davido, recently paid tribute to Nigerian music legend D’banj for his role in opening international doors for African artists. In a candid interview with Apple Music, Davido reflected on how D’banj’s 2012 smash hit "Oliver Twist" revolutionized the global music scene and set the stage for Nigerian musicians to shine on a larger platform.

Davido credited D’banj’s groundbreaking success as a pivotal moment that inspired his own artistic journey. He shared that seeing Kanye West in the "Oliver Twist" video on YouTube made him realize the potential of African music on the world stage. The impact of the song led to a surge in demand for African artists, with D’banj, 2Face, and P-Square securing major international gigs.

"D’banj was my first real vision of a Nigerian artist going global," Davido explained. "Before ‘Oliver Twist,’ no one in America was booking Nigerian artists. After that, African music exploded. Seeing that, I knew I had to embrace my roots and fully dive into African music."

Davido’s decision to focus on African music was fueled by his admiration for D’banj’s trailblazing efforts, which transformed Afrobeats into a global sensation. His story is a testament to how one song can reshape an entire industry and pave the way for future generations of African artists.