Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has withdrawn from a highly anticipated joint concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The event, scheduled for July 3, 2025, was expected to feature American music legends 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige alongside the Nigerian superstar.
The announcement came on Saturday through Davido’s Instagram story, where he addressed his decision to pull out of the show. According to the singer, the organisers, Iconic Presents, failed to meet certain critical conditions necessary for him to participate.
Davido expresses disappointment
In his statement, Davido said his withdrawal was not taken lightly. He emphasised that his team had engaged with the show’s curators in good faith and had expected professional standards to be upheld. However, certain “key elements required to uphold the integrity and quality” of his performance remained unresolved, prompting his decision to step away.
“I want my fans to know that I was genuinely looking forward to sharing the stage with iconic artists like 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige,” Davido wrote. “Unfortunately, things behind the scenes did not go as planned, and I cannot compromise on the standards my team and I have built.”
Discrimination and demand for respect
Davido also used the opportunity to call out the lack of respect often shown to African artists in global entertainment spaces. Without going into full detail, he hinted at possible discriminatory treatment and said African creatives deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity.
“I stand for Africa. I stand for every African creative putting in the work and pushing boundaries. We must be respected,” he added.
While Davido didn’t mention the exact nature of the issues involved, the tone of his message suggested more than just logistical disagreements; it hinted at broader concerns about how African performers are handled in international productions.
The concert will go on without him – 50 Cent
Despite his withdrawal, the show will continue as planned, just without Davido. Iconic Presents has yet to publicly respond to the singer’s announcement or clarify how his absence will affect the concert lineup and ticket holders.
Fans who were expecting to see the award-winning Nigerian artist live on stage have expressed disappointment on social media, with many calling on the organisers to provide more transparency.
Summer show still in the works
Davido did, however, reassure fans in the United Kingdom that he remains committed to performing in London. He announced plans to return later this summer as part of the European leg of his global “5Alive Tour.”
“I will be back this summer with an unforgettable show for my UK fans,” he promised, offering a glimmer of hope to those who had already made plans to attend the July event.
A stadium with afrobeats history
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a 62,000-seat venue in North London, has become a significant location for major music events. It has already witnessed historic moments in Afrobeats, with Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Wizkid both headlining and selling out the stadium in recent years.
These sold-out shows marked a milestone in Afrobeats’ global rise, solidifying its influence far beyond African borders. Davido’s planned appearance would have added another chapter to that story.
Fans await further updates
As of now, fans are waiting for further updates from Iconic Presents regarding refunds, lineup changes, or possible replacement acts. Meanwhile, Davido’s team is expected to reveal details of his rescheduled London appearance in the coming weeks.
For many fans, the issue goes beyond one concert it has become a conversation about respect, fairness, and the growing need for equality in how African artists are treated on the global stage.
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