Intro:
Afrobeats has gone from local to global, and few people have had a front-row seat — or played a bigger role — in that rise than Davido. In a recent chat with MixMag, the Nigerian superstar opened up about the genre’s global explosion and how the movement has grown far beyond what anyone could’ve imagined.
“It’s way bigger than us now,” Davido said, reflecting on how Afrobeats is no longer just about the music — it’s a global cultural force. “We’re representing a whole demographic of people. The culture, the vibe — everything about being African — is different now. It’s not what it used to be.”
He didn’t just speak about the wins — Davido also recalled how, early in his career, he had to convince people that Afrobeats was next. After signing with Sony, he warned the label: “This Afrobeats is coming o. We’re going to be the biggest.”
Back then, people brushed it off. “They looked at me like I was crazy,” he said. “Now look — they’re all rushing to Nigeria to sign every Tom, Dick, and Harry.”
That rise has been fueled by consistency, quality, and the undeniable swagger of African artists who refused to be boxed in. From clubs in Lagos to sold-out shows in Paris and New York, Afrobeats is everywhere — and Davido knows the responsibility that comes with leading the wave.
The sound, the stories, the energy — they’re not just music anymore. They’ve become identity, pride, and power.
“We’ve changed how people see Africa,” Davido added, and it’s clear he’s not just talking about music. For him, Afrobeats is now a movement — one that’s rewriting the narrative of what it means to be African on a global stage.