Davido shifts focus: “I’m no longer interested in Western validation” like grammys

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has announced a significant shift in his musical direction, stating that he is no longer driven by Western accolades, including the Grammy Awards, and will be returning to his African roots for his upcoming projects.

The multi-award-winning artist, born David Adeleke, made the candid revelation during an interview on the Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with host Eddie Kadi.

Davido reflected on the immense success he has achieved throughout his career, which includes sold-out arena tours worldwide and a string of three consecutive Grammy nominations over the past three years. He explained that this phase of seeking international recognition has run its course, and he is now content with his accomplishments.

“This part of my career, I have performed everywhere, sold out every arena, I have been to three Grammys in the last three years,” Davido stated.

The singer emphasized that his forthcoming music will mark a deliberate departure from the Western-oriented sounds he previously incorporated to appeal to global audiences. Instead, he plans to focus on creating music that is authentic to his heritage.

“The music that is coming next is very Davido, it is very African,” he said. “We have done it so I am not really looking to really do western sounds.”

During the interview, Davido also acknowledged the strong support he receives from fans in South Africa, claiming that “80 per cent” of the country’s citizens know and love his music. He has a history of successful collaborations with South African artists and has earned multiple certifications from the nation’s music industry.

The announcement signals a new chapter for the Grammy-nominated artist, prioritizing cultural authenticity over international awards as he prepares to release new material.