Davido Talks Future in Music as He Approaches 40

Afrobeats star Davido has hinted that he might step back from the music scene in the next five to six years. He mentioned he does not want to compete with younger artists when he turns 40.

Davido shared his thoughts on The Uncut Podcast. The 33-year-old singer made it clear he is not announcing his retirement. He wants to clarify that he does not expect other musicians to leave the industry.

“This is my contemporaries’ and my last 5, 6 years. I am not going to be 40, still dragging the spotlight with guys in their 20s. Jay-Z took a break, and he is doing his thing,” Davido said.

Strong Catalogue

Davido explained that he can take a long break from music and still come back strong due to his existing songs.

“I can take a 10-year break, come back, and still do a 50-arena tour. I have the catalogue. I might decide not to make another song for the rest of my life, and nobody is touching my catalogue,” he said.

The five-time Grammy-nominated artist added that he is not suggesting that musicians should retire entirely. Instead, he wants to talk about staying in the game for a long time and exploring new opportunities that a successful music career can bring.

“There are so many other things music should be able to help you branch into. I am not saying we should retire. But I am not going to be 40 and dragging the spotlight with some 20-year-old kid,” he said.

Talk of Retirement?

Many have taken his comments as a sign that Davido might be thinking about taking a break from active music. Some reports suggest he might even be hinting at retiring soon.

But his comments do not mean he is announcing his retirement or giving a specific date for leaving music. Davido talked about possibly taking a long break, returning to touring based on his existing songs, and looking for opportunities beyond making music.

He mentioned American rapper Jay-Z to show the kind of long career he envisions. Davido believes that an established artist can step away, pursue other interests, and still have a strong fan base.

The singer has said before that it is important to know when to step back. He has shared thoughts on the risk of staying in the industry too long and trying to stay relevant after reaching a peak.

Changes in Afrobeats

During the podcast, the ‘Unavailable’ hitmaker also talked about how Afrobeats has changed over time and how artists relate to one another.

He noted that the genre has become much more profitable, with artists now enjoying global tours, streaming, and international fame. However, he expressed worry about the drop in the teamwork that used to exist among musicians when he started.

Davido remembered the years around 2012 and 2013, when artists often visited each other’s studios, collaborated, and supported each other.

He compared that time to today’s industry, where he feels financial success has led to more isolation among artists. “Everybody just got too big,” he said, sharing how the growth has affected relationships.

Davido also revealed that he has over 400 unreleased songs and explained how some tracks from his recent Oriadé project were originally meant for his 2023 album, Timeless. The chat also covered his career, DMW, music partnerships, personal stories, and his plans beyond traditional music.

Career Highlights

Davido became a top figure in Nigeria’s modern Afrobeats scene after hitting the mainstream with Dami Duro in 2011.

His debut album, Omo Baba Olowo, came out in 2012 and made him one of the biggest young stars in the country. He later expanded his reach with Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), which helped artists like Mayorkun and Peruzzi.

His international fame grew with hits like If, Fall, and Blow My Mind, which features American singer Chris Brown. In 2019, Davido made history as the first solo African artist to sell out London’s O2 Arena.

His next projects, A Good Time, A Better Time, and Timeless, further solidified his status as one of Africa’s top artists. Timeless, released in 2023, produced major hits like Unavailable, Feel, and Kante and earned Davido three Grammy nominations.

He continues to build his career beyond music, investing in entertainment and film projects. In 2023, Davido received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), one of Nigeria’s national honours, for his contributions to music and culture.