Nigerian singer David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has expressed his belief that the ongoing cultural renaissance in Africa is significantly enhancing the continent’s global image. In a recent interview with Kiss Fresh UK, he reflected on how the worldwide success of genres such as Afrobeats, alongside Africa’s rich culinary traditions and diverse cultural expressions, has garnered increased respect for Africans, particularly in the Western world.

During the interview, Davido shared insights from his recent experiences in Europe. He mentioned that he spent a considerable amount of time there this summer, attending a couple of gigs while also enjoying a vacation. He observed a notable shift in how African music is perceived compared to his previous visits. “The landscape has changed,” he noted, highlighting that just two years ago, when he toured Europe, Afrobeats would only play for an hour straight in some venues.

Now, he points out, the love for Afrobeats has expanded dramatically, with people embracing the sound not just in Europe, but also in America. He explained, “Everybody likes that sound now, even in America. 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.” This change indicates a broader acceptance and appreciation of African music and culture in the global music industry.

Davido emphasized that this shift in perception is not limited to music; it extends to fashion, food, and other cultural domains. “Now, the narrative [about Africans] has changed. The respect is there,” he remarked, underscoring the positive impact of Africa’s cultural renaissance on its international standing.