How a message from Davido changed Mayorkun’s life — Mother speaks

Veteran Nollywood actress Toyin Adewale has shared the remarkable story of how her son, Afrobeats star Mayorkun, first connected with music superstar Davido, revealing that the family initially dismissed the singer’s message as a scam.

Adewale recounted the experience during an interview with Talk To B, describing the events that eventually launched Mayorkun’s successful music career.

According to the actress, the breakthrough came after Mayorkun’s cover of Davido’s hit song, The Money, gained widespread attention online and went viral across social media platforms.

The viral performance caught Davido’s attention, but when a message purportedly from the award-winning singer arrived, neither Mayorkun nor his family believed it was genuine.

“After the cover he did went viral, he was with his brother when Davido sent a message, but we thought it was a scammer,” Adewale recalled.

She explained that the situation changed when Davido personally called her son, confirming his identity and expressing admiration for the cover version.

“Davido later said he would call. I was there when Davido called him, and he was so excited he almost went crazy,” she said.

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According to Adewale, Davido told Mayorkun that he was impressed by the cover and invited him to meet him after returning to Lagos. The music star also requested Mayorkun’s clothing measurements ahead of their meeting.

“When he called, Davido told him he liked the cover. He also said he was not in town but would return the following week, and that Mayorkun should send his measurements,” she explained.

When the meeting eventually took place, Adewale said Davido warmly welcomed Mayorkun and his brother, showering them with gifts and financial support.

“When Davido returned, Mayowa and his brother went to meet him, and he gave them a full box of gifts and money. At the time, I was scared because I did not know who Davido was,” she said.

The actress revealed that the relationship quickly developed into a professional partnership. She disclosed that Mayorkun returned the next day and recorded Eleko, the song that would become his breakout hit under Davido Music Worldwide (DMW).

Adewale attributed her son’s ease in the studio to his longstanding passion for writing and music.

“The next day, they went back, and that was when they recorded Eleko. It was easy for Mayorkun because he had always loved writing poems and was in the choir,” she said.

She further disclosed that after the recording session, Mayorkun and his brother moved into Davido’s residence, where the young singer began his journey under the mentorship of the Afrobeats star.

“After the recording, he and his brother moved in with Davido,” she said.

Adewale also praised Davido’s character, recalling her first visit to see where her sons were staying.

“After some time, I went to see where they were staying, and when I got there, Davido was very pleasant and respectful,” she added.

Mayorkun’s rise under the DMW label transformed him into one of Nigeria’s leading music acts. Signed to Davido Music Worldwide in 2016, he released several hit songs and established himself as a household name before exiting the label in 2021.

Following his departure, the singer launched a new phase of his career and released his second studio album, Back In Office, under Sony Music West Africa, further cementing his position in the African music industry.

The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the beginnings of one of Afrobeats’ most successful artist-mentor relationships and highlights the pivotal role Davido played in discovering and nurturing Mayorkun’s talent.