By Esther Kainebi-Daniel
Afrobeats superstar, David Adedeji Adeleke well-known as Davido has deleted the controversial visual of his new song, Logos Olori following barrages of criticism on social media.
Uproar had ensued on Saturday, July 22, when the DMW chief shared a 45-second trailer of the yet to be released music video via his Twitter handle. This did not go down well with many Muslims who voiced their objections, and considered the short clip offensive due to its depiction of a group of men seemingly engaged in a Muslim prayer session, which quickly transitions into a dance and song routine.
Prominent Nigerian celebrities, including Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nollywood actor, Ali Nuhu, berated the Assurance crooner and accused him of disrespecting Islam by intertwining religious rites with entertainment. They urged him to take down the video and offer an apology.
Expressing his concern via Twitter, Ahmad emphasized the sacred nature of Eid-Adha (Sallah) prayer in Islam and urged the music star to exercise respect for religious beliefs.
Ali, a renowned Kannywood star, who also shared his disappointment through his verified Instagram account, urged the Fem singer to be more sensitive to other people’s religion, culture, and traditions.
Also weighing in on the issue, a former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, advised Davido to consider his fans’ sentiments and remove or edit any content that may offend their culture or religious beliefs.
Notwithstanding initial silence and no formal apology from Davido, pressure was mounted on him to address the situation. However, after 48 hours of intense backlash and public outcry, Davido listened to voice of reasoning and took down the offensive video.
Pundits said the development should serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural and religious sensitivity in creative expressions, stressing that artistes and entertainers should be mindful of the impact their work may have on various audiences. They added that open dialogue and understanding are crucial in maintaining a harmonious and respectful society.
News Times’ check on Davido’s social media accounts on Monday, July 24 showed the contentious visual was no longer available, reflecting the self-proclaimed Omo Baba Olowo’s (O B.O) acknowledgment of the situation and his willingness to move forward.
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