Davido Reveals Drastic Police Interventions Orchestrated by His Father to Halt Early Music Career

Singer Davido reveals his father arrested his girlfriend and friends in a desperate attempt to force him out of the music industry during his early career.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 10:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Legit.ng

The Conflict Between Billionaire Expectations and Musical Ambition

In a candid interview on Big Boy TV, David Adeleke, known globally as Davido, shed light on the intense familial friction that defined the start of his career. The singer revealed that his father, billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke, was vehemently opposed to his transition from student to professional musician. The conflict reached a peak when the elder Adeleke reportedly began spotting his son on billboards and hearing his tracks in popular nightclubs, leading to a series of escalating interventions designed to shut down the singer's rising profile.

Allegations of Police Involvement and Targeted Arrests

According to the "If" crooner, his father’s attempts to stop him went beyond simple verbal disagreements. Davido alleged that his father orchestrated the arrest of his then-girlfriend and a prominent show promoter. Law enforcement officers were reportedly instructed not to release the individuals until the singer agreed to abandon his musical aspirations and return to school. This strategy effectively paralyzed his early career, as promoters grew fearful of booking him, knowing that law enforcement intervention was a likely consequence of his professional appearances.

Systematic Isolation Through Social Pressure

The singer further claimed that the pressure extended to his entire social circle. On a separate occasion, his father allegedly had all of his friends arrested as a means of isolating him and forcing a resolution. Davido explained that these actions were highly effective in the short term; the constant threat of legal trouble for those around him caused a significant dip in his industry engagements. It was only after a direct resolution was reached with his father—which included a compromise regarding his education—that the singer was able to continue his career with institutional support.