Nigerian superstar David Adeleke, better known as Davido, recently shared a powerful perspective on the ongoing cultural renaissance in Africa, shedding light on how African creativity is reshaping the world’s view of the continent. Speaking in an interview with Kiss Fresh UK, Davido highlighted how genres like Afrobeats, along with African cuisine, fashion, and culture, have garnered newfound respect for Africans worldwide.
This shift, as Davido explains, is a direct result of Africa’s increasing influence on global pop culture. Over the past few years, Afrobeats has surged from a niche sound to a global phenomenon, played on mainstream platforms across Europe and America. Davido reflected on his recent European travels, where he noticed that Afrobeats has not only become a staple but is celebrated as part of the regular music lineup in clubs and radio stations.
“This summer, I was in Europe a lot,” he recounted. “I had like two gigs, but I was on vacation. And I saw that the landscape has changed.”
For African artists like Davido, collaborating with international musicians was once about fitting into their style. But now, he notes, it’s the other way around—international artists are eager to embrace Afrobeats. “Even when we want to collaborate with American artists and we want to do their own sound, they are like, no, no, let’s do Afrobeats,” he said. This shift is a testament to the genre’s appeal and growing acceptance as an essential part of the global music tapestry.
Beyond music, Davido emphasized how other elements of African culture, including fashion and cuisine, are gaining recognition worldwide. African fashion designers are stepping onto global stages with bold designs, and African dishes are gaining popularity in Western cities. Davido’s comments echo a broader sentiment within the African creative community that this era of artistic influence signifies a new chapter of respect for African contributions to global culture.
This cultural renaissance signals not just a newfound respect but also a platform for African voices to shape global narratives. As Davido notes, “Now, the narrative [about Africans] has changed.” His words reflect a growing pride in African identity, with global audiences celebrating the unique, authentic creativity emanating from Africa. With this shift, African artists, chefs, designers, and creatives are finding that the world is eager to listen, watch, and embrace African culture in all its forms.
