Davido and Sony Music sign ‘million-dollar’ deal

The celebratory tweets were tinged with sadness when the ‘Aiye’ singer posted: “1st African artist to sign a global record deal!! My story is just starting! My mother is smiling in heaven right now.”

Photos of the signing reached social media, with Davido’s brother Adewale Adeleke, who is chairman of Davido’s HKN record label posting a comment of his own with pictures. “I want to thank God! Because without him none of this would be possible," he wrote. "Wanna thank our loving father Dr. Adedeji Adeleke for all the support he has given us! Today we made history. @davidoofficial is the first African artist to be signed to @sonymusicglobal.”

Across the continent, pop stars are receiving rewards for their work, from South African rapper Cassper Nyovest signing a lucrative deal with MTN last year, to diva Angelique Kidjo receiving another nomination at the Grammys and Ghanaian Rocky Dawuni receiving the first ever reggae nomination for an African at the Grammys.

The details of Davido’s deal are as yet unknown. But apparently the deal is what led to a postponement of his sophomore album which was scheduled for release last year. As his colleagues Adekunle Gold and Phyno tweeted their congratulations, Davido posted: “That's why I couldn't drop my album! BUT NOW WE BOUTTA TURN UP MAJOR!”

The prospect of a new album is yet another good news for Davido fans. Watch Davido's latest single 'The Money' (featuring Olamide) below: