“How Davido pretended to be poor in his early career” – Maleek Berry spills

• Maleek Berry, an acclaimed Afrobeats singer and producer, has shared his early encounters with global music star Davido during their early stages.
• Davido, despite his wealthy background, shares a surprising story on the ’90s Baby’ podcast about his humble demeanor.
• Berry revealed that Davido initially portrayed himself as a struggling artist, blending in with his peers who were also facing industry challenges.

Maleek Berry, an Afrobeats singer and producer, has shared insights regarding his early interactions with global music icon Davido during their formative years as emerging artists.

In a recent appearance on the ’90s Baby’ podcast, the ‘Kontrol’ hitmaker recounted an unexpected anecdote highlighting Davido’s unpretentious nature, despite his affluent upbringing.

Berry disclosed that upon their initial meeting and collaboration, Davido presented himself as just another aspiring artist, seamlessly integrating with his contemporaries who were genuinely grappling with the adversities of the music industry.

“I was there when Davido only had four thousand YouTube views,” Berry recounted.

“When he came to London, I would take him to a studio in Bermondsey and record him. It was one of his cousins who connected us via social media. He wasn’t even known then. We were just two Nigerian guys who loved music and got connected.”

Despite Davido’s humble demeanor, Berry experienced a revelation during a visit to the singer’s family residence.

“He acted around us like one of those poor kids. But when I pulled up to his dad’s crib, I was surprised. There’s money, and there’s money! I was just so taken aback because, at the time, my mind didn’t used to move like he [Davido] had money. He used to blend in with us. When I saw the tower, I was like, okay, they’re rich.”

Berry also shared another pivotal moment in his career, acknowledging Davido for introducing him to Wizkid, another significant figure in the Afrobeats scene, which further cemented his standing in the industry.