In a powerful and widely circulated interview on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Afrobeats superstar Davido declared a major shift in his creative focus, stating that he is no longer seeking Western sounds or validation after a decade at the top of the global music industry.
Speaking on the Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi (featured on BBC 1Xtra), the "Unavailable" singer reflected on his massive achievements over the last three years and announced a "return to his roots".
The "Return Home" Declaration
Davido’s comments come shortly after the 2026 Grammy Awards, where he was a multi-nominee for his hit song "With You" (featuring Omah Lay) from his critically acclaimed 2025 album, 5ive:
Content with Success: "I have performed everywhere, sold out every arena, I have been to three Grammys in the last three years," Davido told Eddie Kadi. "We have done it, so I am not really looking to really do Western sounds".
Deeply African Sound: He teased that his upcoming project is "very Davido" and "deeply African," moving away from the "Afro-fusion" attempts typically used to appeal to American or European radio.
Validation Shift: Following a year where Nigerian artists—including himself, Burna Boy, and Wizkid—missed out on Grammy trophies to South Africa’s Tyla, Davido’s shift signals a broader industry movement toward prioritizing the African domestic market over foreign accolades.
Davido’s 2026 Milestone Tracker
Despite his pivot away from Western sounds, Davido's global influence remains at an all-time high:
| Milestone | Date / Event |
| Grammy 2026 | 5-time nominee overall; "With You" hit 100M+ Spotify streams. |
| Coachella 2026 | Solo African Headliner for both Saturdays (April 11 & 18). |
| London Festival | Curating the first "Davido & Friends Festival" at Crystal Palace Bowl (Aug 14). |
| Album Success | 5ive (2025) solidified his "001" status in the Afrobeats hierarchy. |
"Africa is Beyond Afrobeats"
In separate recent interviews, including on The Long Form Podcast in February 2026, Davido has grown increasingly vocal about the world's "obsession" with the Afrobeats label:
Genre Diversity: He argues that the West often fails to see the depth of African music beyond the "Afrobeats" umbrella, which is why he is focused on showcasing more traditional and diverse rhythms in his next phase.
Legacy Building: Now 33, Davido has moved from "young and wild" to a "businessman first," focusing on building music schools across Africa to ensure the next generation doesn't have to "chase" the West for success.
"What’s coming next is very, very African." — Davido, March 24, 2026.
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