Afrobeats hitmaker and superstar, Davido, lost his three-year-old son, Ifeanyi, this week in a swimming pool accident.
And the entire nation has taken a break to mourn with Davido and his fiancee Chioma Rowland in their hour of grief. It’s only fitting that we all put the arms around Davido and his family at this time. The artiste has come to embody the spirit of the young, average Nigerian.
It says a lot when politicians across the partisan divide halt their electioneering campaigns to mourn with a singer. It speaks to the character and influence of the bereaved when politicians across partisan divides dispatch condolence messages to a singer whose craft and persona continue to divide opinions.
But Davido is not just any other singer. He has come to embody the struggles of the young Nigerian. Born into wealth, Davido works like mad, releases at least a hit or two every other year and stands up for his friends and the average Nigerian youth who doesn’t know where his next meal is going to come from. Davido didn’t come from the streets but he now belongs there.
He’s a philanthropist when he isn’t in the studio churning hits. And he goes hard for folks he loves, stomping for his uncle Ademola Adeleke who has now won the Osun governorship election, on the campaign trail in 2018 and 2022, while drawing record crowds to boot.
His music revolves around love, ambition, positive vibes and hustling. There’s not a dull moment with Davido.
“One thing about Africans — rich or poor, happy or sad, no matter the situation going on in your culture, you always find time to smile and just be happy,” Davido told the New York Times in 2020.
Born David Adedeji Adeleke in Atlanta, U.S, Davido grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. His father, Adedeji T. Adeleke, is one of Nigeria’s wealthiest businessmen, and the founder and C.E.O. of the conglomerate Pacific Holdings Ltd.
Davido’s mixed upbringing shows in his art, in his craft and in his mannerisms. “I’m from both sides of the world,” he says. “I’m from Nigeria and at the same time I’m from America. And it’s like both sides are going crazy right now.”
After attending the British International School in Lagos, Davido returned to the United States to study Business Administration at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Ala. But he was more interested in music and subsequently acquired the equipment to start producing his own beats.
While in the United States, he also soaked up hip-hop’s entrepreneurial spirit. “I wouldn’t say my time in the States affects my African music,” he says. “But my style, the way I dress, my attitude, my charisma, the way I run my label — I think I get a lot of that from studying the American system and people like 50 Cent.”
To become the hitmaker he is today, Davido had to go against his parents’ wishes: He left college and moved to London and then to Lagos to make music, determined to prove he was not just the son of a rich man. In 2012, aged 19, Davido released “Omo Baba Olowo” (“Son of a Rich Man”). He hasn’t stopped making hits afterwards, drawing collaborations from top artistes around Africa and the United States.
In 2015, the multiple award-winning Davido bagged a first degree in Music from Babcock University in Ogun State, Nigeria.
“Sad to learn of the unfortunate passing of Ifeanyi, son of music star, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido. On behalf of my family and the people of Osun, I sympathise with Davido, over this heart-rending incident,” says Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, who has been at the receiving end of Davido’s vitriol and sometimes acerbic tongue, as he campaigned hard for his Uncle to emerge Governor of Osun and unseat Oyetola.
“I know how painful it is to see a boy we all saw last week bubbling with life to now be referred to in the past. I pray God comfort you and Chioma. Rest assured, very soon, God will bless you both with another son who will live long to fulfill his dreams in life,” Oyetola adds.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who belongs to the APC, the political party Davido loathes more than most, says, “Death leaves a heartache no words can heal and today, I express my deepest condolences to David and Chioma, over the death of their son. Ifeanyi was loved and his smile made the world smile. I pray that God grants you strength even as my thoughts and prayers are with you.”
There have been condolence messages for Davido and his young family from the frontline presidential candidates ahead of next year’s election–Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi–underscoring just how influential the 29-year-old has become in the politics and governance of his nation. He has become the voice of young Nigerians who find expressions and solace in his music.
Davido and his fiancee Chioma have had a topsy-turvy relationship that at one time looked headed for the rocks. Ifeanyi’s sad passing comes at a time the young lovers were looking to patch things up and start a family.
There are no words to describe what has just happened to Davido’s family and no amount of condolences or commiserations can blunt the pain the Adelekes are going through right now. None can bring back Ifeanyi who was dotted-on and loved to bits by his parents; and who had just celebrated his 3rd birthday.
This writer joins the rest of the nation and the world to mourn with the Adelekes, while asking that well-wishers, fans and politicians respect the family’s right to privacy at this most difficult of times for them; even as police investigations continue apace.