Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has disclosed plans to regain ownership of his music catalogue from his foreign record label, saying he intends to buy back his masters before eventually retiring from active music.
The award-winning singer made the revelation during a recent appearance on The Long Form Podcast, where he spoke extensively about the importance of ownership, royalties and long-term financial planning in the music business.
Read Also: “Your plan will fail” — Davido fires at Gboyega Oyetola
According to Davido, while he currently enjoys a favourable recording contract, he believes that true success in the music industry goes beyond hit songs and chart achievements.
He stressed that artists must pay close attention to the business side of their careers, particularly ownership of their intellectual property.
Speaking during the interview, the singer explained that one of his major goals is to regain control of his master recordings from Sony Music and eventually use them to create generational wealth for his family.
“I have a good music contract. But the most important thing is ownership. I plan to get my masters back from Sony soon. With that I can give each of my kid songs they will keep earning royalties from even after I retire,” he said.
Master recordings, commonly referred to as “masters,” are the original recordings of songs and albums. Ownership of masters often determines who controls how music is distributed, licensed and monetised. Artists who own their masters are typically entitled to a larger share of the revenue generated from streaming platforms, licensing deals, advertisements, films and other commercial uses of their music.
In recent years, ownership of music catalogues has become a major topic within the global entertainment industry. Several high-profile artists have either fought to regain ownership of their masters or negotiated deals that grant them greater control over their recordings.
Davido’s comments reflect a growing awareness among African musicians about the value of intellectual property and the importance of securing long-term financial benefits from creative work.
The singer further noted that many artists focus heavily on the creative aspect of music while neglecting the business side. He advised musicians to understand contracts, royalties and ownership structures if they hope to build lasting wealth from their careers.
According to him, music should not only provide immediate success but also serve as an asset that can benefit future generations.
Davido’s desire to assign music royalties to his children highlights how artists increasingly view music catalogues as family assets rather than merely commercial products. By retaining ownership of his masters, he would be able to pass on royalty rights and income streams to his heirs long after he stops recording or performing.
The “Unavailable” hitmaker has built one of the most successful careers in African music over the past decade. Since breaking into the mainstream with his debut album Omo Baba Olowo in 2012, Davido has gone on to become one of the continent’s most recognised music exports.
His catalogue includes numerous hit records, international collaborations and multiple chart-topping projects that continue to generate significant streaming numbers worldwide.
Beyond music, Davido has repeatedly spoken about the importance of financial literacy, investment and legacy building.
His latest remarks suggest that retirement planning is already part of his long-term strategy, even as he remains one of Africa’s most active and influential performers.
The singer’s comments have sparked discussions among fans and industry observers, many of whom praised his focus on ownership and wealth preservation.
As conversations around artists’ rights continue to gain momentum globally, Davido’s ambition to reclaim his masters underscores a broader shift within the music industry, where creators are increasingly prioritising control over their work and ensuring that their creative output remains a valuable asset for generations to come.
For more details, visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news.
