Davido is a name that commands respect in the Nigerian music industry and beyond. With a string of hits, international collaborations, and millions of fans, he’s become a global icon. But before the fame, before the millions of YouTube views and sold-out arenas, there was a young man hustling to make a name for himself in the music world—just like any other aspiring artist.
Maleek Berry, a prominent Nigerian producer and artist, recently shed light on Davido’s early days in the industry, revealing a lesser-known side of the superstar’s journey. “When Davido came to London, I’ll take him to the studio in Bermondsey and record for him,” Maleek recalls. The two were just two Nigerian guys, connected through their love of music, trying to make their mark in a competitive industry.
What’s striking about Maleek’s recollection is how unaware he was of Davido’s background. With only 4,000 YouTube views to his name at the time, Davido appeared to be struggling like any other up-and-coming artist. He even trekked nearly a kilometer to get to the studio, sometimes because he didn’t have the money for transportation. Maleek, like many others, assumed Davido was just another musician on the grind, hustling from the bottom.
It wasn’t until Maleek visited Davido’s father’s house that he realized the truth: Davido was the son of a billionaire. The discovery was shocking for Maleek, who had no idea of Davido’s wealth because he never flaunted it. “I thought Davido was poor and suffering like most of us because of his low YouTube views… When I saw Davido’s Dad’s house, I realized that I’ve been with a billionaire’s son and I didn’t know.”
This revelation highlights an important distinction in the world of hustle—there’s a difference between hustling from the hood and hustling from the palace. While many artists grind out of necessity, driven by a desire to escape poverty and make a better life for themselves, Davido’s hustle was born from passion. Despite his family’s wealth, he chose to immerse himself in the grind, trekking to studios, working late nights, and putting in the same effort as someone with nothing to fall back on.
Davido’s story is a reminder that hustle doesn’t always come from a place of need. For some, it’s about love for the craft, a determination to succeed on their own terms. Davido didn’t need to make music to survive—he could have easily lived a comfortable life without ever recording a single track. But he chose the hustle anyway, working his way up in an industry that demands resilience and grit, even for those with financial backing.
There’s a certain power in this kind of hustle. It’s not driven by desperation but by a deep, personal desire to create, to succeed on your own merit. Davido’s story shows that even with all the resources in the world, success in the music industry requires more than money—it requires passion, dedication, and a willingness to put in the work, even when you don’t have to.
In a world where so much emphasis is placed on the struggle, Davido’s journey offers a different perspective: that of someone who hustles not because he has to, but because he loves it. It’s a hustle from the palace, but it’s a hustle all the same. And it’s that passion, that relentless drive, that has made Davido the superstar he is today
