By Adegboyega Adeleye
Nigerian Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has said his three-night residency at Lagos’ National Theatre will show the world that African artists can create major global music moments from home.
Davido, who will headline the newly renovated National Theatre from December 17 to 19, said the residency is part of his desire to bring Afrobeats, its audience and its economic impact back to Nigeria.
The singer made the remarks in an interview with CNN, saying, “It’s very important that we show the outside world that we have these kinds of facilities in Africa as well. We’re really showing people that we can do this ourselves.”
Davido compared the National Theatre to New York’s Madison Square Garden, describing it as “our own MSG” because of its significance to Nigeria’s entertainment history.
The residency, tagged “Oriadé: The Residency will celebrate his latest album, Oriadé, his biggest hits and his 15-year career in music.
Davido said bringing the event home was important to him after his experience touring Africa last year.
“Bringing everything back home is very important for the culture,” he told CNN.
“Just being home just gave me so much inspiration. This kind of feels better doing it from where you’re actually from,” he said, adding, “I don’t ever want to take that kind of break away from my fans back home.”
The idea, according to the singer, was also inspired by Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artiste Bad Bunny’s 30-date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025, which attracted visitors from around the world and generated economic activity around the performances.
“It was like a whole tourist attraction,” Davido said. “The country (Puerto Rico) made money, he made money, and he promoted his culture. So that’s kind of where my head is at.”
Davido believes Lagos is well positioned to attract international visitors, particularly during the December festive period when Nigerians in the diaspora and tourists converge on the city for concerts and other entertainment events.
He said his residency would feature music from across his career and appearances from some of his collaborators, giving fans another reason to visit Lagos while introducing the city to those who have never been.
“The talent in Lagos is mind-blowing,” he said. “Talent is like water in Lagos.”
Davido also said African artistes should not allow international success to disconnect them from the audiences that supported them at home.
“Everybody’s going to get a hit and run to America, run to the UK, run to the Middle East and do shows,” he said.
“But I feel like bringing everything back home is very important for the culture.”
He acknowledged that artistes might not earn as much from performances in Africa as they do overseas but said bringing the same energy and ambition home could create local jobs and stimulate the entertainment ecosystem.
“We might not get paid as much as we get paid overseas,” he said.
Davido said the next generation of African artistes should remember the fans who supported them before international recognition.
“Don’t forget where you started,” he said. “These are the fans. If not for these fans, we wouldn’t be here.”
Davido had earlier announced the three-night National Theatre residency on his verified Instagram page on Friday, describing it as a homecoming celebration of his 15-year journey in music.
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