Afrobeats star Davido has opened up about the important role his childhood friend, Lati, played in the early days of his journey into music, describing him as one of the people who inspired and guided him long before fame came calling.
The award winning singer made the revelation during a live session with content creator Carter Efe on Tuesday, reflecting on memories from his childhood and how a friendship formed within his family home eventually influenced his career.
According to Davido, Lati was once employed by his late mother. After her passing, he remained around the family for a while before later leaving the house. Despite the change, their friendship continued to grow stronger over the years.
Recalling those moments, Davido explained that Lati was the youngest member of staff in the household, making it easy for both of them to connect. Their shared interests brought them even closer, and that bond would later become a turning point in his life.
He revealed that Lati had a passion for music production and worked as a DJ. Because of that, he often took the young Davido to recording studios without attracting attention, giving him some of his earliest experiences in a professional music environment.
Davido said those studio visits sparked something in him and became part of the foundation that eventually shaped his career. He went as far as saying that without Lati’s influence, his journey into music might have taken a completely different path.
The singer also recalled losing contact with his childhood friend after he travelled to the United States for his education at the age of about 12 or 13. They remained apart until he returned to Nigeria during a holiday when he was around 14 years old.
Their reunion marked another significant moment in their friendship. Davido said he visited Lati and excitedly told him that he had decided to pursue music professionally. He also assured him that once success came, they would work together and travel the world.
That promise, according to the singer, was fulfilled. After his music career took off, Lati became part of his team and shared in many of the experiences that followed.
Although their paths have since taken different directions professionally, Davido disclosed that Lati now works in the oil and gas industry. Even so, he maintained that his childhood friend remains one of the most influential people in his life, crediting him with helping to shape the musical journey that turned him into one of Africa’s biggest stars.
