‘Dami Duro’ Was Ex-President Jonathan’s Ringtone – Davido

Grammy-nominated singer Davido has revealed that his 2012 breakout hit, “Dami Duro,” was the defining moment that changed the course of his music career.

In an interview on Power 105.1 FM in the United States, Davido shared that the song’s massive popularity caught the attention of Nigeria’s then-President, Goodluck Jonathan, and his own father, Deji Adeleke, who had previously opposed his music ambitions.

According to Davido, his father had even deployed the police and military in attempts to shut down his early shows. 

However, the overwhelming success of “Dami Duro” not only softened his father’s disapproval but also reportedly led to the song becoming President Jonathan’s ringtone.

Davido credited the track with turning things around and securing his father’s support for his music career.

Davido described their relationship as stronger than ever, noting that they’ve gone from a once-strained connection to becoming “best friends.”

“Before then, my dad was using the police and army to stop my show and arrest show promoters, artists and everyone connected to any show I am billed to perform in. But when ‘Dami Duro’ became a huge success… I think it was the President’s ringtone. Someone told me. At that point, people started advising my dad to allow me do music.

“I went further and accepted to return to school. I said I didn’t have to run away, that I should have spoken to him. No way, I was younger then and he was unapproachable. I told him I was scared of him. Then I was a kid. Now, we are best friends, we talk about everything. He comes to all my shows. He is very involved in my business.”