Afrobeats megastar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed that his 2012 breakout hit, “Dami Duro,” was once the ringtone of then-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan a moment that changed the trajectory of his music career and personal life.
In a recent interview on Power 105.1 FM in the United States, Davido opened up about the challenges he faced at the start of his career, especially with his billionaire father, Deji Adeleke, who was initially against his decision to pursue music.
“My dad accepted my decision to do music after he heard my second single, ‘Dami Duro.’ The song blew up,” Davido recalled.
“Before then, my dad was using the police and army to stop my show and arrest show promoters, artists and everyone connected to any show I was billed to perform in.”
However, everything changed when the song exploded across Nigeria and allegedly reached the nation’s highest office.
“I think it was the President’s ringtone. Someone told me,” Davido said, referring to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“At that point, people started advising my dad to allow me do music.”
The Timaya-esque blend of catchy beats and Yoruba-English lyrics in “Dami Duro” became an instant classic and marked Davido’s rise to superstardom. But more importantly, it paved the way for reconciliation with his father.
Davido said he later agreed to return to school, and his relationship with his dad evolved significantly.
“I told him I was scared of him. Then I was a kid. Now, we are best friends, we talk about everything. He comes to all my shows. He is very involved in my business.”
Today, Deji Adeleke is one of Davido’s strongest supporters, reportedly buying him out of his first music contract and investing in his business empire. The story of Dami Duro remains a defining moment in Davido’s life not just musically, but personally.
