Davido Opens Up: “People Hate Me Because I Come from Money”
Davido is no stranger to success—or scrutiny. In a recent chat on the Culture Knock Out podcast, the superstar didn’t hold back as he reflected on how being born into wealth has shaped how people see him.
Known for lighting up charts and shutting down arenas, Davido shared that being the son of a billionaire has attracted more hate than love from some corners of the music scene.
“I get criticised more than anyone else in this industry,” he said. “And I think it’s because of where I come from. In the early days, no one knew who my dad was. I already had a few hits out before people realized I came from money.”
According to him, that early anonymity helped his talent speak first—before his background could cloud the conversation.
“I just wanted to make music. I didn’t care about the money, fame, or whether I had a place to sleep. That’s how serious I was,” he added.
But as his fame grew, so did the noise. He believes the backlash only got louder once people found out about his family’s wealth.
“People act like success is a crime when you’re rich. But I kept going. I didn’t let it stop me. I just focused on making great music.”
Davido also pointed out that criticism comes with the territory—whether you’re running a country or dropping chart-topping tracks.
“Once you’re at the top, people will always find something to say. Look at politics—you’re the crowd’s favorite when you’re running. But the moment you win, people turn on you. It’s the same in music.”
Despite the naysayers, Davido’s passion hasn’t wavered. He’s still doing what he loves—and he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
