Afrobeats megastar Davido has responded powerfully to tribal criticisms after hosting Nigerian highlife veteran Bright Chimezie in Lagos, stating, “I’m Igbo by blood,” in response to a troll who warned him against associating with Igbos.The backlash erupted online after Davido’s recent interaction with Chimezie went viral.
The singer, whose full name is David Adeleke, has openly praised Bright Chimezie as the inspiration behind his hit single “With You” featuring Omah Lay. The viral moment led to a wave of admiration — and controversy — especially following revelations that Davido’s wife’s mother is also of Igbo descent, contrary to earlier assumptions.
Videos circulating on Instagram show the Unavailable crooner warmly receiving the “Zigima” sound pioneer in Lagos, as they engaged in lively conversations and mutual praise. The meeting followed an earlier video call where Davido credited Chimezie’s 2018 track “Because of English” as his musical spark.“I drew inspiration from your song. God bless you,” Davido told Chimezie during the call, which was first shared by Cubana Chief Priest.In person, Davido previewed the music video for “With You” and expressed his admiration for Chimezie’s legacy, saying, “It would be great to meet you face-to-face.”
The emotional moment saw Chimezie responding, “This is a beautiful piece of work. Thank you for the honour.”However, the encounter sparked ethnic-based criticism from some online users who warned Davido, a Yoruba artist, about being too close to Igbo people. One particularly viral comment said, “You can never satisfy Igbos. They’ll want your head and everything you have.”Unfazed, Davido responded with pride: “I’m Igbo by blood.”The Afrobeat star’s bold statement has since triggered widespread applause from fans across Nigeria, who praise his unity-driven mindset in a time of ethnic tension.
Meanwhile, Bright Chimezie has seen a massive rise in followers — gaining over 46,000 new fans since the acknowledgment.Davido’s gesture and words continue to spark a trending discussion on cultural harmony and the power of music in breaking tribal barrier.
Shola Akinyele
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