British-Nigerian singer and record producer Maleek Berry recently shared a fascinating and insightful story from his early career, revealing how the now-famous Nigerian music star Davido cleverly pretended to be poor during the initial stages of his journey in the music industry. The tale sheds light on the humble beginnings of one of Africa’s biggest music sensations, offering a glimpse into the early days that shaped his path to stardom.
Speaking during an episode of the ’90s Baby’ podcast, Maleek Berry recounted his experiences of working closely with Davido when they were both budding artists trying to make a name for themselves. He described their regular trips to a studio in Bermondsey, London, where they would spend countless hours recording music together, driven by their shared passion for creating hit songs.
Maleek Berry fondly reminisced about their time in the studio, highlighting how, despite Davido’s wealthy background, the singer seamlessly integrated himself into the modest lifestyle of his peers. This ability to blend in so effortlessly led Maleek Berry to initially believe that Davido came from a less privileged family, as he never flaunted his wealth or behaved differently from others in their circle.
The illusion of Davido’s modest background persisted until Maleek Berry had the opportunity to visit Davido’s father’s mansion. This experience dramatically altered Berry’s perception of the artist. He recounted the moment with amazement, realizing just how wrong his assumptions had been.
In his words: “I was there when Davido only had four thousand YouTube views. When he came to London, I would take him to the studio in Bermondsey and record him,” he recalled, reflecting on their early collaborations.
He continued, “It was one of his cousins that connected us via social media. He wasn’t even known then. We were just two Nigerian guys that loved music and got connected.”
Maleek Berry then shared the moment when the truth about Davido’s background became apparent: “He acted around us like one of those poor kids. But when I pulled up to his dad’s crib, I was surprised. There’s money, and then there’s money! I was just so taken aback because at the time, my mind didn’t used to move like he [Davido] had money. He used to blend in with us. When I saw the tower, I was like, okay, they’re rich.”
Berry also revealed that Davido played a pivotal role in his career by connecting him to Wizkid years later, further cementing his influence and support within the Nigerian music industry.