Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, recently shared his thoughts on the global rise of Nigerian music, crediting fellow artist D’banj as the first Nigerian musician to achieve international stardom.
In an interview with Apple Music, Davido discussed how the 2012 hit single Oliver Twist by D’banj changed the trajectory of African music, particularly in terms of its acceptance and recognition in the Western world.
According to Davido, prior to D’banj’s success, Nigerian artists were not being booked for shows outside of Africa, particularly in the United States. He emphasized that D’banj’s achievement with Oliver Twist marked a turning point in the international exposure of Nigerian artists. “D’banj was my first vision of a Nigerian artist taking over the world. No one in America was booking Nigerian artists for shows but that changed when I saw Kanye West in D’banj’s Oliver Twist video on YouTube,” Davido said.
The inclusion of Kanye West, one of the biggest names in American music at the time, in D’banj’s Oliver Twist video symbolized a significant milestone. It opened up a new realm of possibilities for Nigerian artists, demonstrating that African music had the potential to reach global audiences. Davido credited this success for reshaping his own musical career. “It was because of the success of Oliver Twist that Americans started booking D’banj, 2Face, P-Square and other African artists for shows. They were making about $1,000,000 per show. So I decided to switch and start doing African music because that’s where I am from,” he added.
The influence of D’banj’s *Oliver Twist* cannot be overstated. The song was not only a commercial success but also a cultural landmark that spotlighted Afrobeats on a global scale. It became one of the first African songs to break into major music charts, including the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at number nine. This achievement demonstrated that African music could compete on the same level as Western genres and marked the beginning of a new era for Nigerian artists.
While Davido’s praise for D’banj highlights a key moment in the global rise of Afrobeats, not everyone agrees with his claim that D’banj was the first Nigerian musician to achieve international stardom. Critics and observers have pointed to earlier Nigerian music legends who had already made significant strides on the international stage long before *Oliver Twist*.
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, is perhaps the most prominent figure in the globalisation of Nigerian music. His music, which blended traditional African rhythms with jazz and funk, gained widespread international acclaim in the 1970s. Fela’s politically charged lyrics and unique sound made him a global icon, with fans across Europe, America, and beyond. He remains a symbol of African pride and resistance, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians worldwide.
Similarly, King Sunny Ade, a legendary figure in Nigerian juju music, enjoyed substantial international success in the 1980s. His albums were distributed globally, and he became the first African musician to be nominated for a Grammy Award in 1984. King Sunny Ade toured extensively across the world, introducing audiences to the rich sounds of Nigerian traditional music and setting the stage for future African artists.
Another notable figure is Majek Fashek, who became an international sensation with his reggae hit Send Down the Rain in the late 80s and early 90s. Fashek’s music resonated with audiences across Africa, Europe, and the United States, making him one of the first Nigerian artists to achieve mainstream recognition in the global music scene.
In more recent times, 2Baba, formerly known as 2Face, gained international recognition with his hit song African Queen. The song, released in 2004, became an anthem across Africa and beyond. It won multiple international awards and was even featured as the soundtrack of the 2006 American romantic comedy Phat Girlz. This was years before D’banj’s Oliver Twist was released, and many argue that 2Baba’s international success helped pave the way for other Nigerian artists to gain traction in the global market.
While D’banj undoubtedly played a significant role in the globalisation of Afrobeats, the contributions of earlier Nigerian artists such as Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Majek Fashek, and 2Baba should not be overlooked. These pioneers laid the groundwork for future generations, creating a foundation upon which artists like D’banj, Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy have been able to build.
Davido’s comments in his Apple Music interview reflect his admiration for D’banj’s success and the impact it had on his own career. However, the history of Nigerian music on the international stage is one that stretches back decades, with each artist contributing in their own unique way to the global recognition of African music.
As Afrobeats continues to dominate the global music scene, artists like Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy are taking the genre to even greater heights. But the journey that began with pioneers like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade continues to inspire and shape the future of African music. The global success of Nigerian music today is a testament to the collective efforts of these musical giants, past and present, who have worked to elevate African culture on the world stage.
In conclusion, while D’banj’s Oliver Twist was a pivotal moment in the global rise of Afrobeats, it is essential to recognize the contributions of those who came before him. Their groundbreaking achievements have paved the way for today’s artists to enjoy the level of international success that Nigerian music now commands.
