Nigerian street-hop rapper CDQ has opened up about a major moment early in his career when he turned down a recording deal from Afrobeats superstar Davido; a decision rooted in loyalty and long-term vision.
Speaking during a recent interview on The Echo Room, the rapper, known for his energetic Yoruba-infused flows and street anthems, revealed that Davido reached out to him after the release of his breakout hit ‘Indomie’. At the time, CDQ was gaining momentum in the music scene, and Davido, impressed by his potential, offered to sign him under his label.
“Davido reached out to me through Twitter back then that he wanted to sign me. He told me he just made a lot of money from his African tour and wanted to invest it and make me the biggest rapper in Africa,” CDQ recounted.
However, CDQ was not alone in his journey. He had built his foundation alongside prolific music producer Masterkraft, who played a pivotal role in crafting his sound and brand. So, when the opportunity came, CDQ insisted on involving his producer in the deal.
“I told him whatever I’m doing, Masterkraft has to be involved. So, me and Masterkraft went to a meeting with him, and he told him that CDQ is already a movement on the streets and should consider a partnership instead of a recording deal but Davido declined and the deal fell through,” he explained.
While the deal with Davido’s DMW label never happened, CDQ went on to carve his own lane, becoming one of the most respected indigenous rappers in Nigeria with several hit singles and collaborations under his belt. His story is a testament to the importance of loyalty, self-belief, and trusting the process even when big opportunities knock.
Despite the missed collaboration, there appears to be no bad blood between the two artistes. In fact, both CDQ and Davido have continued to thrive in their respective paths, dominating different corners of the Nigerian music landscape.
