Davido has disclosed plans to regain full ownership of his music catalogue before stepping away from active recording, stressing that controlling his masters is central to his long-term legacy and family future.
The award-winning singer said the move would allow him to pass on the value of his work to his children long after his retirement from music.
The singer, whose real name is David Adeleke, made the disclosure during an appearance on The Long Form podcast, where he reflected on the business side of the music industry and the importance of ownership in modern record deals.
According to him, while commercial success and global reach are important, retaining control over one’s creative output ultimately matters more.
Davido noted that although he currently enjoys a favourable recording arrangement, his long-term goal is to buy back his masters from Sony Music, describing the catalogue as an asset that should remain within his family.
He explained that ownership would give him the freedom to allocate individual songs to his children as a form of inheritance when he eventually retires.
Expanding on his remarks, the singer said many artists focus heavily on fame and financial advances without fully understanding the implications of surrendering their masters.
He emphasised that ownership determines who controls distribution, licensing, and long-term earnings from music, particularly decades after its initial release.
For Davido, reclaiming his masters represents not just a business decision, but a strategic step toward securing generational wealth.
“I have a good music contract, but the most important thing is ownership,” he said. “I plan to get my masters back. With that, I can give each of my kids songs even after I retire.”
His comments highlight a growing awareness among African artists about intellectual property rights and the need to negotiate deals that protect their futures.
Davido’s position reflects a broader shift in the global music industry, where artists are increasingly pushing back against traditional contracts that prioritise labels over creators.
In recent years, several high-profile musicians worldwide have publicly campaigned to regain control of their catalogues, citing lost revenue and limited creative freedom as long-term consequences of early-career deals.
The Afrobeats star added that upcoming artists must take the business aspects of music as seriously as the creative side. He warned that failing to understand contracts, royalties, and ownership structures can have lasting effects on an artist’s career and post-retirement income.
According to him, success should be measured not only by chart performance but also by how much control artists retain over their work.
