Davido’s ‘5ive’ welcomes the Afrobeats megastar into an era of change and growth – Hartford Courant

A man with a beard wearing a blue knit beanie, a beige jacket, and a chain necklace poses in front of a green textured background, channeling Afrobeats style inspired by artists like Davido.

by GARY GERARD HAMILTON

NEW YORK (AP) — Afrobeats may be the hot sound of the moment, but Davido remembers a very recent past when music from Africa wasn’t embraced globally, amid a perception the continent was one of only destitute poverty and primitive lands.

“I remember when Africans used to lie that they were Jamaicans,” laughed the Atlanta-born “Fall” singer, who grew up between the U.S. and Nigeria. “The narrative has immensely changed. And thanks to the people who are behind this, because it’s not governments ……