Davido Reveals His Father Refunded $200K to Cancel Early Record Deal, Talks Career and Upcoming ‘5 Alive’ Tour

Davido has shared how his father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, once refunded $200,000 to cancel a record deal after ‘Dami Duro’ hit big, sparing him from long-term restrictions.

Now grateful for the move, Davido gears up for his 5 Alive tour, performing hits from his latest album 5ive across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Nigerian music superstar Davido has opened about a pivotal moment in his early career, revealing in a recent interview with BET how his father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, once refunded $200,000 to free him from a binding contract.  

Recalling the events that followed the success of his breakout hit ‘Dami Duro’ at just 17, Davido said he was offered a lucrative record deal worth $200,000. However, his father stepped in as a protective figure and canceled the agreement. 

 “My dad found out someone had given me $200,000 for a contract. He called them, refunded the money, and canceled the deal,” Davido shared. He explained that while his father meant well, it initially caused friction.  

“He didn’t want me to owe anyone, but at the time, I was like, ‘You’re a billionaire and you won’t even give me money, so I had to go find my own way.’”  

Looking back, Davido said he’s grateful for that decision

“Thank God he did, because I would’ve only just gotten out of that contract about two years ago.” The story was also echoed by businessman Tosin Ashafa, one of the original investors, who confirmed the incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter).  

During the BET interview, Davido was asked to choose between his A Good Time tour and the ongoing Timeless tour. He chose Timeless, describing it as a career-defining moment that saw him perform in sold-out arenas across the globe.  

Now, the five-time Grammy nominee is gearing up for his much-anticipated ‘5 Alive’ tour, which kicks off in the coming weeks. The tour includes 13 shows, with major highlights like a performance at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium alongside 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige. 

Davido will also stop in Canada, performing at Scotiabank Arena and Place Bell, and hit 10 cities in the U.S., including State Farm Arena in Atlanta and Barclays Center in Texas.

He is set to perform hits from his latest album, ‘5ive’, which dropped on April 18, 2025, featuring 17 tracks and a diverse lineup of global collaborators.