Davido says army, immigration launched a search for him when he went against his father's wish to do music

Davido

Afrobeats star Davido recently opened up about his teenage struggles on the American podcast Bagfuel Brigade, sharing how he pursued his passion for music against his father's wishes.

Following the passing of his mother, Davido’s father, billionaire Deji Adeleke, left him to live alone in a 16-bedroom mansion in Nigeria while his siblings studied in America.

Seizing the opportunity, Davido secretly built a music studio inside the mansion, spending his days making music and smoking — all without his father’s knowledge.

Eventually, unable to conceal his passion any longer, Davido fled to London to live with a producer friend, where he stayed for six months to focus on his music career.

Back home, his disappearance sparked a massive search effort, with immigration officers, police, army personnel, and other security agencies mobilised at his father’s expense to find him.

When Davido finally returned to Nigeria, he was intercepted at the airport by an army officer and escorted outside, where his father was waiting. Instead of the punishment he feared, Davido was met with a warm hug, his father simply relieved to see him safe.

Davido’s story highlights his unwavering determination to chase his dreams, even at great personal risk. Today, that perseverance has made him one of the most successful and influential Afrobeats artists in the world.

He said, “I was living alone with my dad in a 16-bedroom mansion because all my siblings were in America. I had a studio in the house and he didn’t know. A complete studio where I spent most of my time making music and smoking.

“I left the mansion for about six months. My dad was looking for me, the army, Immigration officers, Every security agency in Nigeria was looking for Dr. Deji Adeleke’s son, which is me.

“Eventually, I got caught at the airport on my way back from London, where I have been staying with a producer friend making music.

“When I returned to Nigeria, I wasn’t planning to go home. I landed at the airport with the intention to go to a friend’s place — but the moment I stepped out, an army officer walked up to me and escorted me outside.

“Waiting there were uniformed men and my dad. I thought my would scold me but instead he hugged me. He was happy to see me.”