By Sulaymon Ruqoya
August 27th, 2024.
Afrobeats singer and producer Maleek Berry recently opened up about his early experiences with Davido, now a global music star, during their early days as emerging artists.
Speaking on the ’90s Baby’ podcast, the ‘Kontrol’ hitmaker shared a surprising story about Davido’s modest behavior despite coming from a wealthy background.
Berry revealed that when they first met and started working together, Davido portrayed himself as a struggling artist, blending in seamlessly with his peers who were genuinely navigating the hardships of the music industry. “I was there when Davido only had four thousand YouTube views,” Berry recalled, illustrating how the artist, despite his privileged upbringing, presented himself as just another aspiring musician.
Berry recounted their early days in London, where he would take Davido to a studio in Bermondsey to record. “It was one of his cousins who connected us via social media. He wasn’t even known then. We were just two Nigerian guys who loved music and got connected,” he said, reflecting on their shared passion and humble beginnings.
However, Berry was caught off guard when he visited Davido’s family home for the first time. “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 there’s money!” he said, astonished by the sheer wealth he encountered. “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 shared a pivotal moment in his career, crediting Davido for introducing him to Wizkid, another influential figure in the Afrobeats scene, which further cemented his place in the industry.