Davido’s Sacrifice for Music: “I Almost Sold My Father’s Rolls Royce To Do Music”

Nigerian music sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, recently shared surprising details about his early days in the music industry. In a candid interview with ABtalks, the talented singer revealed that he had resorted to extreme measures, including selling his father’s properties, to finance his music career.

Davido recounted the story, explaining that his father, Adedeji Adeleke, initially disapproved of his musical aspirations and refused to provide financial backing. This rejection came at a critical point in Davido’s career when he desired to return to Nigeria but faced opposition from his father.

Determined to pursue his dreams, Davido took matters into his own hands and sought alternative means to fund his music journey. He confessed to selling household items like televisions and even considering selling his father’s prized possession, a Rolls Royce, in order to raise the necessary funds.

Reflecting on those audacious moments, Davido shared, “So I blew up, remember I said that I told him I wanted to move back, but he disagreed. I ended up dropping out; he found out that I wasn’t in school for like a year. I broke into his house in Atlanta, sold all the TVs, sold his furniture. I almost sold his Rolls Royce because I was like, ‘Yeah, I want to do this music,’ but he didn’t want me to, so I was like, ‘You know what? I’m just about that crazy.'”

As Davido’s music career progressed, he achieved a significant milestone at the young age of 17 by securing his first multi-million naira endorsement deal. The telecommunications company, MTN, approached him with an offer of an incredible ₦‎20 million. This offer opened Davido’s eyes to the immense financial possibilities that could come from his music career, considering he had already gained traction with two successful songs.

Buoyed by this realization, Davido decided to approach his father and share his dreams of pursuing music. To his delight, his father not only supported him wholeheartedly but also went above and beyond by constructing a studio for him to work in. This pivotal moment provided Davido with the encouragement and resources he needed to grow as an artist.

The studio became a sanctuary where Davido could fully immerse himself in developing his talent and cultivating his unique style of music. It served as a testament to his determination and the sacrifices he had made to pursue his passion.

Davido’s journey from selling his father’s properties to becoming one of Africa’s most successful musicians is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his dreams. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists who face obstacles and highlights the importance of self-belief and perseverance in the pursuit of one’s passions.