Afrobeats star Davido is building a global music empire; how to make time for passion projects; and more
Welcome to Forbes Edge, your insider’s guide to career and entrepreneurial success, exclusively on LinkedIn. We are moving and grooving this week to Afrobeats and the story behind Afro star Davido. We’ve also got time management tips to help ensure you’ve got time for passion projects, as well as some predictable (but actionable!) findings around why certain personality types might have trouble sleeping.?
Success Story of the Week: Inside Davido’s Global Musical Empire
If you aren’t into Afrobeats music, or just haven’t heard of it, odds are good that the genre’s most popular tracks would still sound pretty familiar to you. Afrobeats is a modern blend of jazz, driving drums, reggae, pop and hip-hop, and it’s a sound that’s going global—thanks to a flourishing African diaspora, digital streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, and viral trends on Instagram and TikTok.
It also means Davido, one of Afrobeats’ biggest stars, is going global, too. He was in the midst of a pan-continental press tour promoting his fourth album when he spoke with Forbes on his rise since breaking onto the scene in 2011.?
"I can remember when it wasn't cool to be from Africa—people would lie and say they were Jamaican," the 30-year-old said. "Now we have our own Billboard charts in the US and UK—that shows how serious the Western world is taking our music."
Davido was born in Atlanta to Nigerian parents and grew up in Lagos. He was primed to sit in a boardroom, not a soundboard. His father, Adedeji Adeleke, founded an industrial conglomerate that generates most of West Africa’s electricity. And then there's Davido's godfather, the business mogul Aliko Dangote, Africa's wealthiest person with an estimated net worth of $13.5 billion.?
While in high school in Lagos, Davido obsessed over American hip-hop artists like 50 Cent and JaRule. His cousin owned a music studio, and after recording a song one afternoon, Davido was hooked. "I hid it from my family," he says. "The normal thing was to go to school, graduate and then work for my dad." At just 15, he enrolled in Oakwood University, a historically Black school in Huntsville, Alabama, before dropping out to focus on music.
In today’s frictionless, borderless digital media landscape, Davido and other Afro stars like WizKid, Burna Boy, Tems and Rema are reaching millions of new fans and lucrative markets. Streams of Afrobeats music on Spotify surged nearly 300% between 2019 and 2022. Davido’s management team predicts he’ll earn more than $20 million in 2023 from royalties, touring, merch sales and endorsements.?
On top of the global jet-setting, he also runs a Nigerian record label, Davido Music Worldwide, which gives him better leverage and economics in deals and develops upcoming local artists.?
In His Words: "My career has been so blessed. I haven't been like signing artists because I want to make money from them," he said. "I just like to see them grow and know I was part of the success."
Read the full story here.
Tips and Strategies: Fitting Side Hustles And Passion Projects Into Your Hectic Lifestyle
We’ve all had those weeks where the calendar is so jam-packed, something has to give—often, the side project or creative hobby might be the first to go. The trick to doing it all? Time management.
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Think about each of your tasks in one of three categories: deep work, shallow work, and administrative tasks. Deep work likely will go best for most during the first chunk of your day, as it requires true focus. Then, shallow work can be a nice break after that; these are the types of tasks you can still make progress on if distracted or interrupted. Administrative tasks can be satisfying to barrel through at the end of the day, especially if you’re the type who likes to check items off a to-do list.
Read the full story here from Forbes contributor Ginny Hogan.
Practical Advice: Trouble Sleeping? It Could Be Your Personality
If you’re having trouble sleeping, the findings of this recent study might not necessarily help: People prone to neuroticism, impulsivity and introversion were found to have an increased risk of sleep disturbances.
Poor sleep has many negative health consequences and has been a growing part of the $1.5 trillion wellness industry. But for anyone feeling personally attacked by the above study, you’re not doomed to sleepless nights. Certain personality traits might find better success by focusing on managing the adverse side effects of those traits versus investing in a sleep-aid app. Ultimately, the study suggests that the presence of positive emotion, and the absence of negative emotion, contribute to good sleep.
Read the full story here from Forbes contributor Lindsay Kohler.
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Thank you for reading! We'll be back next Tuesday morning with another Forbes Edge.?
This edition of Forbes Edge was written and curated by senior editor Sarah Whitmire.?
Supply Chain Consultant | MSME Strategist | Startup Mentor | Automation & World Class Manufacturing Specialist | Global Knowledge Process Outsourcing Services Provider
11 个月Davido's strategy involve blending various music genres, creating a unique fusion that appeals to a wide audience. This fusion include Afrobeats, Afropop, pop, and other African-inspired sounds. His action plan involve consistently experimenting with different musical styles, collaborating with diverse artists, and staying updated with current trends while staying true to his cultural roots. Davido's commitment to philanthropy is a key part of his strategy. His action plan involves establishing foundations and charities focused on aiding underprivileged communities, especially children. He organize events, donate significant amounts of money, and actively use his platform to raise awareness about social issues like gender equality, poverty, and education. Another strategy Davido employed is diversifying his involvement in the music industry. His action plan include not only creating hit songs but also establishing his record label, signing and mentoring new talents, and engaging in strategic partnerships with global music labels or companies. Additionally, exploring opportunities in endorsements, merchandise, and other entertainment-related ventures was part of his strategy.
Line supervisor in Chemiron Care Nigeria Limited.
1 年Okk
Marketing Specialist at Stirs
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