In a recent appearance on the renowned ‘Kelly Clarkson Show,’ popular Nigerian artiste David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, opened up about the reason behind his father’s intervention in canceling many of his shows at the beginning of his music journey. Davido shared with host Kelly Clarkson that his father, Adedeji Adeleke, played a significant role in the cancellation of several shows due to his rising prominence in the Nigerian music industry.
During the interview, which was published on Saturday, Davido shed light on his family dynamics and the importance his parents placed on education. Reflecting on his unique position as a first-generation entertainer in his bloodline, he explained, “I come from a big family that highly values education. I am the first entertainer in my entire family history.”
Davido emphasized that his father was adamant about him completing his education. He elaborated, “One, because I didn’t make it at that time. Two, because, you know, he didn’t mind me pursuing music, but he was insistent on me finishing school.” Adedeji Adeleke, who owns a university, and with Davido’s mother being a college professor, had a keen desire for his son to succeed in both academics and music. The family harbored concerns about the challenges of achieving success in the highly competitive music industry.
To strike a balance, Davido and his father made a unique agreement. “We made a deal where I would attend school for two weeks out of every month, and for the other two weeks, I would be allowed to be in the studio and pursue my musical aspirations,” he disclosed during the interview. However, as Davido’s music career gained momentum, his growing popularity began to affect his focus in the classroom, causing disruptions. Consequently, adjustments were made, and Davido was eventually permitted to take part-time classes, accommodating his flourishing music commitments.
The turning point came when Davido’s stardom escalated to the point that it caught his father’s attention through billboards, promoting his shows. Davido explained, “He would see a billboard of me doing a show, and the show would promptly get canceled before I even arrived. That’s the kind of power he possessed.” This exercise of influence by Adedeji Adeleke created an atmosphere where event organizers became apprehensive about booking Davido for fear that his father would intervene once again. Nonetheless, despite these challenges, Davido persevered and successfully completed his education, making his father his biggest fan and supporter today.
Davido’s candid revelation offers a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of his personal and professional journey. It showcases the support and guidance provided by his father to ensure a balance between education and his passion for music. With determination, talent, and parental guidance, Davido has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated and influential artists, carving a path of success for himself while also fulfilling his family’s educational aspirations.
