Afrobeats star Davido recalls running away as a teen to chase his music dreams, sparking a major search by his billionaire father and security forces.
In a recent interview, he revealed how his disappearance led to a full-scale search by Nigerian security agencies on the orders of his billionaire father, Dr. Deji Adeleke.
Speaking on the American podcast Bagfuel Brigade, Davido recalled how it all began shortly after the death of his mother. At the time, he was living alone with his father in a massive 16-bedroom mansion in Nigeria, while his siblings were studying abroad in the United States.
Despite his father’s strict household, Davido secretly built a fully equipped music studio inside the mansion. He spent hours recording songs and experimenting with beats, all without his father’s knowledge. Music quickly became his obsession.
“I was living alone with my dad in a 16-bedroom mansion because all my siblings were in America,” Davido said. “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.”
A bold escape to London
The secrecy could only last so long. Davido soon grew tired of hiding his passion. He made a bold decision that would change his life forever. He fled to London. There, he lived with a producer friend for six months, dedicating all his time to making music without any restrictions.
Meanwhile, back in Nigeria, chaos broke out in the Adeleke household. Davido’s sudden disappearance sparked panic among his family members. His father, desperate to find him, contacted every security agency he could reach. Immigration officers, the police, the army, and other forces were put on high alert to locate the missing son of one of Nigeria’s richest men.
“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,” Davido explained.
Caught at the airport
The search continued for months without success. Davido remained hidden in London, focused on creating music and shaping his future career. But his freedom eventually came to an end. When he decided to return to Nigeria, he was immediately recognised and caught at the airport.
He shared how the dramatic moment unfolded: “When I returned to Nigeria, I wasn’t planning to go home. I landed at the airport intending 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 outside were several uniformed officers and his father.
A surprising reunion
Davido braced himself for the worst. He expected a harsh scolding or even punishment. However, what happened next surprised him.
“I thought my dad would scold me, but instead he hugged me,” Davido said. “He was happy to see me.”
The experience marked a turning point in Davido’s relationship with his father. Although his father had hoped he would follow a more traditional path, Davido’s passion for music could no longer be denied. Over time, Dr. Deji Adeleke came to support his son’s dreams, even though it was a far cry from the future he had first imagined for him.
From runaway teen to global star
Today, Davido stands as one of Africa’s biggest musical exports, with international awards, sold-out concerts, and hit records to his name. His journey from a runaway teenager to a global star is a testament to his determination, boldness, and unwavering love for music.
Through it all, the lessons of family, forgiveness, and following one’s passion have stayed with him.
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