Memo to critics of Davido’s O.B.O: Produce your own good music and make number one out of it.

 So, here is a rejoinder to that Ore Fakorede’s caustic review of Davido’s new album, Omo Baba Olowo:

“The son of a gateman should, at least, aspire to be a Commissioner of Police.” – Words my father told me in Itsekiri.

I have never met Davido but I have interacted with his work and I’ve studied his Alexandria rise in the Nigerian music club. Less than two years on the grind, Davido is on every mobile playlist in Nigeria, even as you read; the first guest invited to every Nigerian party, even before you thought of it; the most popular self-made teenager in Nigeria, without his fathers’ billions.

It began with a dream, with a good team and without his father. Davido dropped out of school, a little older than the voting age, and teamed up with a fellow school dropout – Asa Asika – a little older than himself. Without experience in anything except breathing and the love of music, with a little talent – as some have claimed – here he is, on your face, with his debut album comprising of three Nigerian hit singles and a collaboration with the best – Tuface Idibia.

Davido’s singular rise has made many famous. Members of the HKN Gang – Asa Asika, Shizzi, Sina Rambo, Bayo Adeleke and others – have enshrined their names on the Nigerian music map thanks to the Omo Baba Olowo crooner. Davido’s father has also benefitted with from this fame. Before Omo Baba Olowo, he was just the unknown friend of Aliko Dangote and the younger brother of an Ex-Governor of a Nigerian State. Sonia – a previously obscure groupie might one day eclipse the career of Kim Kardashian thanks to the twitter trending might of Davido. Ore Fakorede’s articles on YNaija struggled to garner readers until he targeted the Davido jackpot. Davido has added more to the Nigerian GDP than the rest of his mates and detractors.

Whenever Davido’s music comes on, either as a distracting ringtone in Church or that noise in your employers’ office, what I hear is the sound of hard work, the strength of Lagos beats and the spirit of Nigerian youths.

To all who don’t understand Davido’s album and probably also don’t understand the words my father told me in Itsekiri and how it relates to this rejoinder, I say this to you: it will be very nice if you write your own rejoinder; produce your own good music and make number one out of it.