National Theatre Residency Will Prove Africa Can Host Global Music Events, Says Davido
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| Davido (Nigerian-American singer-songwriter and record producer) |
Nigerian Afrobeats star David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, says his three-night residency at Lagos' National Theatre will show the world that African artistes can create major global music moments from home.
Davido will headline the newly renovated venue from December 17 to 19. He explained that the residency reflects his desire to bring Afrobeats, its audience and its economic benefits back to Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with CNN, he said, "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."
He likened the National Theatre to New York's Madison Square Garden, calling it "our own MSG" in recognition of its place in Nigeria's entertainment history.
Titled "Oriadé: The Residency," the event will celebrate his latest album, Oriadé, his biggest hits and his 15-year music career.
Davido said staging the shows at home was important to him, following 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."
He revealed that the concept was also inspired by Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artiste Bad Bunny's 30-date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025. The run drew visitors from around the world and boosted 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 placed to attract international visitors, especially during the December festive season, when Nigerians in the diaspora and tourists flock to the city for concerts and other entertainment events.
He noted that the residency will feature songs from across his career, along with guest appearances from some of his collaborators. It will give fans another reason to visit Lagos and introduce the city to first-time visitors.
"The talent in Lagos is mind-blowing," he said. "Talent is like water in Lagos."
The singer also urged African artistes not to let international success distance 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 conceded that artistes may earn less from performances in Africa than they do abroad. However, he said bringing the same energy and ambition home could create local jobs and strengthen the entertainment ecosystem.
"We might not get paid as much as we get paid overseas," he said.
Davido added that the next generation of African artistes should remember the fans who backed them before they gained international recognition.
"Don't forget where you started," he said. "These are the fans. If not for these fans, we wouldn't be here."
He first 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.
