On November 18, 2023, the city of Atlanta witnessed a historic event: the first ever Are We African Yet? (A.W.A.Y.) Festival, a one-day show conceived to promote and foster cultural exportation and collaboration between Africa and the world. The festival was presented by multi-platinum global superstar Davido, a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, producer, business leader, philanthropist, and community advocate who has captivated audiences worldwide with his Afrobeats music.
The A.W.A.Y. Festival, which took place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, featured performances by Davido and other African artists such as E Cool, King Promise, Lo Jay, Mayor Kun, Musa Keys, Spinall, TXC & Victony. The festival attracted thousands of fans who came to celebrate the diversity and richness of African culture and music.
In recognition of Davido’s contribution to the entertainment industry and the city of Atlanta, the Mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens, and the Atlanta City Council declared November 18 as “Davido Day” in honor of the singer. In a message to the singer on his birthday, November 21, 2023, the Mayor noted that Davido has “become a global icon in the music industry” and “continue[s] to use [his] platform to give back to communities in the United States and throughout Africa”.
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners also honored Davido by proclaiming November 21 as “Davido Appreciation Day” in the City of Fulton County, Georgia. The Board recognized Davido for his “contributions to the music and entertainment industry” and his role as a “bridge between Africa and the world”.
Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Nigerian parents. He moved to Nigeria as a teenager and began his musical career there. He rose to fame with his debut album Omo Baba Olowo in 2012, which won him several awards and nominations. Since then, he has released three more albums and numerous singles, collaborating with artists such as Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, Lil Baby, Nas, and Hit-Boy. He has also performed at major events and venues such as the BET Awards, the MTV Africa Music Awards, the O2 Arena, and the Madison Square Garden.
Davido is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful African artists of his generation. He has amassed over 20 million followers on Instagram, over 10 million subscribers on YouTube, and over 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He has also received several accolades and honors, such as the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act, the BET Award for Best International Act, the MOBO Award for Best African Act, and the Headies Award for Artiste of the Year.
Davido is not only a musical star, but also a philanthropist and a social activist. He has donated millions of naira to various causes and charities, such as education, health, and youth empowerment. He has also supported the #EndSARS movement, which protested against police brutality and corruption in Nigeria. He has also advocated for peace and unity among Africans, especially in the wake of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2019.
Davido’s A.W.A.Y. Festival and Davido Day are testament to his vision and mission of bridging the gap between Africa and the world through music and culture. He has shown that he is not only a proud son of Nigeria, but also a proud citizen of Atlanta and the United States. He has also inspired millions of people, especially the African diaspora, to embrace their identity and heritage, and to celebrate their diversity and creativity. As he said in his song “FEM”, “To the ones wey dey para, tell them say I don tire / E be like say you don dey talk too much / Small talk you don dey look who talk / Fem (Shut up)”.
