By Ganiu Bamgbose, PhD
I understand that the 30 Billion Family may get furious and, as it is said in internet slang, “may come for me”. That notwithstanding, this profiling is important. Again, this article is not written to “chase clout” (another social media slang expression for fame or popularity). It is primarily composed to appraise the life of a man who even his fans must have heard it many times that he is not a fantastic singer. Several reasons have been attributed to his stardom such as leveraging his father’s wealth, buying of songs and featuring really good artistes. Despite these lashes, Davido has sustained stardom for way over ten years. I write this piece to give my personal account of how I think David Adeleke has stayed relevant in an industry where stars breeze in and out of stardom. The article is written with a view to motivating young people on what it takes to live a purposeful and relevant life. Subsequent paragraphs will present what I call the 4C’s that make Davido relevant.
The first C in the journey of a gentleman artiste whose life is a manual for success is Calling. Davido is from a family background where being a musician is not even a noble profession. His wealthy father would prefer for him some other prestigious life paths. How David got his family to buy into the career speaks to the need for everyone to know their purpose. As said in 1 Corinthians 7:20 “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called”. This is to say that every man is called for a purpose and the only way to stardom is identifying one’s calling or purpose. As said too in Quran Surah Al-Imran (3:191) “Our Lord! You have not created ˹all of˺ this without purpose”. Calling therefore is a criterion for stardom.
The second C in the quadrangle of Davido’s success is consistency. I had expressed in one of my posts that it is not enough to do; the big deal is to keep doing. Life does not work for you just by having a calling; life works when you stay consistent on your calling. Matter-of-factly, becoming a star is not as difficult as maintaining stardom. From “Dami Duro”, to “Fia”, “If”, “Fall”, “Kante”, to “Carolina”, to “Assurance”, David has exhibited regularity and consistency in the cause of his career which go beyond just having a calling. Everyone who desires success must understand that it comes with preparation, and the only way to thrive is to continue to strive.
The next C that I find thrilling in Davido’s musical journey is concentration. The young man has certainly been bashed and lashed by many in cyber space. From talks about his voice, to his songs, to his public display, Davido can be said to be one of the most constantly critiqued artistes in Nigeria, but how he has channeled his energy towards just positivity by concentrating on the things that work for him deserves both meditation and applause. In the face of criticism and condemnation, everyone who will enjoy continuous success needs concentration.
The fourth C in the quadrangle of Davido’s success is charity. Charity goes beyond financial assistance to people. Collins Dictionary defines it as kindness and understanding towards other people. Davido’s humility and humane treatment of those around him are indeed charitable. He is one star who makes stardom enviable with his compassion, benevolence and presence. From his roles and involvement during the celebrations of those he even pays as staff, one can tell that David is one whose lifestyle is devoid of arrogance.
If you are one of those patient enough to have read this piece to the end, I am sure you will agree with me that David Adeleke’s life is one good template for anyone who desires success. While the place of grace is inevitable in one’s success equation, it is pertinent for everyone who desires success to take their race seriously. Be like Davido, find your calling, stay consistent on it, concentrate on the positive sides and be committed to charitable causes.
(c) 2025 Ganiu Bamgbose writes from the Department of English, Lagos State University.
