Afrobeats star Davido sees Nigeria's star rising

The way Davido sees it, Nigerian culture is having a moment.

- PIERRE BOTTE AFP

“We’re very popular, not only in music,” the 32-year-old Afrobeats star said during a recent interview in Paris, pointing to a film, food and fashion industry, his country is increasingly exporting to the rest of the world.

Even amid criticism from some that American artists are starting to crib from the Afrobeats sound, his response is: “I like it.”

And yet, the Nigerian-American artist — a self-described citizen of the world — sees the future of the continent tied to those who see home, rather than its tumultuous diaspora.

“Everybody always has the American dream,” he said. “Every kid that grows up in Africa wants to visit America. That’s cool. It’s okay to visit, but don’t leave your people and go there.”

Those might be tough words to swallow for his compatriots battling the worst economic crisis in a generation.