Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.
Nigerian Afrobeat singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has said he never doubted that his music career would succeed, even before he had achieved anything, describing his self-belief as “delusional confidence.”
The Grammy-nominated singer, who hails from Osun State, disclosed this in an interview with Doseofsociety, posted via Instagram on Friday.
Davido said he could not point to a specific moment of doubt throughout his journey, insisting his confidence bordered on the irrational.
“Funny enough, I never doubted myself. I was so confident that it was crazy, like delusional confidence. If I said there wasn’t a time I wasn’t sure, till you make it, you’re not sure.”
He said his certainty was rooted in his faith, talent and readiness to work hard, rather than any guarantee of how things would unfold.
“I just knew it was going to work out. Like, I didn’t know how. All I knew is I had God. I had talent. I knew I was very hardworking. I knew I was ready to have sleepless nights just to, you know, get to that pinnacle.”
The singer recalled that he left home determined not to return until he had made a success of himself, despite pressure from a family that placed a strong premium on formal education.
“All my siblings had gone to school, done the right thing. And I was just feeling like, why did it have to be me? I remember when I left home, I was like, before I go back home, I have to go back home successful. I’m not going back home without being the David like this.”
Davido added that he has since stopped seeking validation from those who were unsure about his path, saying the support of his family now matters more to him than outside opinion.
“Validation from people around me that, I wouldn’t say didn’t believe, but wasn’t as sure that, you know, this was going to work out. When I’m at home, you know, with family and they’re around, I just see them smiling at me like, yo, that validation for me is all I need. I don’t need anybody else’s validation.”
