I Ran a Record Label for Four Years Without Taking a Dime from My Artists – Davido

Nigerian musician Davido, opened up about his early days in the industry during a recent interview with American media personality Steve Stoute.

He revealed that when he established his record label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), he ran it for four years without taking any money from his artists.

During these initial years, DMW wasn’t just a label; it was more like a family to Davido. His primary focus was to support his friends and fellow artists. He shouldered expenses such as video production, accommodation, and welfare, without seeking financial gain.

As the global appeal of Afrobeats continued to rise, Davido realized the importance of a more business-oriented approach. He has since emphasized this to his new DMW signees, highlighting the need to treat music as a business and generate revenue.

Davido’s commitment to supporting others without immediate financial gains paid off, as artists like Mayorkun, Peruzzi, and Dremo thrived under his guidance.

In addition to sharing these insights, Davido is currently working on a documentary that will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges he faced in the music industry. Through this documentary, he aims to inspire aspiring artists by revealing the hard work and determination that underlie his path to success.