“When we come to sign record deals overseas, they don’t know we are superstars back home. When I signed my first deal, I just did a 60,000-capacity stadium in Mali. So when you signed a new deal, they’re asking you ‘What’s your name? What type of music do you make?”
Davido went on to say that Sony Music paired him with well-respected producers to work on a new project. This resulted in his 2016 EP “Son of Mercy,” but by his admission, it fell short of his expectations.
“When I first came they put me with some producers but it didn’t work out. We dropped an EP under Sony which was my first project but it felt like a failure to me. Some people might see it as success but that wasn’t it for me.”
In the interview, Davido reflected on his early days with Sony Music. Despite signing with them after a massive concert sell-out in Mali, he still felt pressure to prove himself as an artist unfamiliar with the label. He collaborated with top producers on a project—the 2016 EP “Son of Mercy.” It included popular tracks like “Skelewu,” “How Long” featuring Tinashe, and “Coolest Kid in Africa” featuring Nasty C.
However, by Davido’s standards, the EP didn’t quite meet his expectations as a hitmaker. Among the songs, only the Afrobeats-inspired “Skelewu” truly resonated with local audiences, suggesting the EP, intended to launch him in the US market, missed the mark.
Following this, Davido returned to Lagos and created new music with his usual producers. This resulted in the song “IF,” produced and co-written by Tekno. “IF” achieved the international success that Sony Music had originally hoped for with “Son of Mercy.”
The interview stretched beyond Davido’s personal experiences. He also discussed the global rise of Nigerian music, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the first generation of stars who paved the way, and the ongoing efforts by himself and other current stars to ensure success for future generations.
