by Idara Inyang — August 26, 2024
Maleek Berry, the renowned Afrobeats singer and producer, recently opened up about his early encounters with global music sensation Davido, shedding light on the rapper’s surprising approach to his initial career.
In a recent appearance on the ’90s Baby’ podcast, Maleek Berry shared a story that revealed Davido’s down-to-earth attitude despite his wealthy background. Berry recalled how, during their early interactions, Davido projected himself as a regular aspiring artist, blending seamlessly with others who were struggling in the music industry.
“I remember when Davido had only four thousand YouTube views,” Berry said. “When he came to London, I took him to a studio in Bermondsey to record. We were introduced through one of his cousins on social media. At that time, he wasn’t famous. We were just two Nigerians passionate about music who happened to connect.”
Maleek Berry noted that Davido’s modest demeanor was starkly contrasted by the opulence he encountered during a visit to Davido’s family home.
“He acted as though he was one of those struggling artists,” Berry explained. “But when I visited his dad’s place, I was astonished. There’s money, and then there’s money! I was surprised because I didn’t expect him to be from such wealth. Seeing the grand estate made it clear they were incredibly rich.”
Berry also credited Davido with introducing him to Wizkid, a key figure in the Afrobeats genre, which significantly impacted his career trajectory.
