Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian
Nigerian music icon Davido has highlighted the pivotal role of entertainment in reshaping global perceptions of Africa.
In a recent interview, the Afrobeats star reflected on his experiences growing up in an all-white community in the United States, where he encountered widespread ignorance about his African roots. “I’ve said this a hundred times: as an African child going to school in America, I saw how uneducated they were about Africa. They’d ask questions like, ‘How did you get here?’ I’d tell them I came on a private jet, and they’d still ask, ‘Do you even have airports?’”
These misconceptions, Davido explained, fueled his determination to proudly showcase African culture and correct stereotypes through his music. “Growing up in that environment made me realize that, back then, the Western world only knew about Africa through what they saw on the news,” he said.
By incorporating Nigerian and African culture into his work, Davido sought to educate his global audience. “I love showing my culture. Whether through the artists I collaborate with or how I present myself, I want people to know that everything they have abroad exists in Africa too,” he noted.
Davido emphasized how entertainment has played a transformative role in changing narratives about the continent. “Before, when someone said they were from Nigeria, the first thing people thought of was ‘419’ and negative stereotypes. Now, they talk about Afrobeats, African food, and fashion. The narrative is shifting, and entertainment has been the gateway to making that happen.”
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