An Old Man’s View on Davido

As I sit in an exciting salon cutting my hair, I watch a slew of Davido’s videos on Channel O. Now let me state very clearly that I have never expected this particular artiste to hold the publics attention this long. I had looked at him as an average talent being pushed by the superior financial fire power of his father and other backers. Or what else would you expect when Africa’s richest man attended his debut album launch.
So I listened and just moved on. But his Gobe, Skelewu and the one that he did in a farming/ village setting have more than convinced me that this is a great talent.
As I watch these videos, I see a young man who is thoroughly enjoying himself. One that would do nothing else even if his life depended on it. The last time I saw these kind of passion in his art was watching a young Shina Peters on stage. Davido in his performances have more than convinced me that he is very clear as to his position in life.
The Skelewu beats is the quintessential ‘less is more’. I hear very little lyrics but a pulsating and very skinny beats that tug at your heart forcing you to move your legs to the rhythm. The song hits you at your most vulnerable, querying your refusal to stand up and dance, first urging you but later forcefully throwing you to the dance floor. The simpleness of the whole arrangement belies it’s perfection. It reminds you of the need to be one with your environment. It pushes you to seek a partner with which you will share this temporary madness. The excitement it exudes is so infectious that if you don’t immediately share it, you could explode.
You should see my little daughter, Zara dance to the beats. She is only 5 but has perfectly memorized not only the lyrics but the dance steps. Any unfortunate visitor that comes in must be forced to watch the Skelewu choreography in my house. Refusal to watch will earn you a scowl and a rebuke from her and in extreme cases a warning that you should not come to the house again.
I also just listened to Gobe. The playfulness of it all is what got me. This is an artistes that is not taking life too seriously and begs us to do the same. The commercial chorus line is striking and the beats are anything but dexterous. The only flaw is the storyline behind the video, showing a small resemblance to what R.kelly had done before. But notwithstanding it gave me a new respect for this artiste.
Davido will evolve from teen sensation to a serious artiste as can be seen in his Gobe track. That is usually the albatross of most artistes. Very few cross that line unscathed. Artistes like tuface did and are still holding to their audience.
Davido must begin now to start courting the mature audience to ensure that he achieves legendary stature which is beckoning on him.