n a poignant display of brotherhood and empathy that transcended longstanding rivalries, global Afrobeats icon David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, brought AfroNation to a standstill during his high-energy performance on Friday night, leading the massive crowd in a solemn minute of silence for the late mother of his fellow superstar, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid.
The emotional tribute unfolded midway through Davido’s set at the AfroNation festival in Ghana, where thousands of fans—many waving flags and chanting hits from both artists—fell into a hushed reverence as the "Unavailable" singer stepped forward, microphone in hand, to address the audience. "May his mother, our mother because she was dear to me, rest in peace," Davido said, his voice steady yet laced with genuine sorrow, before inviting the crowd to join in the moment of reflection.
The gesture, captured in viral videos that have since amassed millions of views across social media platforms, struck a deep chord, especially given Davido's own history of profound loss, including the tragic passing of his son Ifeanyi in 2022. Fans were quick to recall how Wizkid reached out daily during Davido's darkest days, a bond of quiet support that the tribute visibly reciprocated. "Wizkid held me up when I couldn't stand—now it's my turn," Davido shared in a post-performance Instagram story, underscoring the unspoken solidarity between the two titans of Afrobeats.
The moment unfolded against the backdrop of AfroNation's vibrant energy, with pyrotechnics dimming and spotlights softening to create an intimate space amid the festival's chaos. Attendees described the air as "electric with grief and grace," with one fan tweeting, "Rivalries? What rivalries? This is family. #DavidoWizkidForever." The tribute has sparked an outpouring of reactions online, trending under #MinuteForMamaDolapo and #AfroNationTribute, with celebrities like Burna Boy reposting the clip with a simple "Respect" caption.
Wizkid, who has kept a low profile since his mother Mrs. Jane Dolapo Balogun's passing earlier this year, has not yet publicly responded, but sources close to the Starboy camp describe him as "deeply moved" by the gesture. This isn't the first time Davido has honored the Balogun family; he similarly paused a 2023 AfroNation performance in Detroit for the same tribute, reinforcing his commitment to uplifting peers in times of need.
As Afrobeats continues to conquer global stages, Davido's act serves as a powerful reminder of the genre's roots in community and resilience. The festival organizers hailed the moment as "one of AfroNation's most unforgettable," while Davido's team emphasized that such gestures are "not for show, but for healing."
“Personally, I have lost many loved ones, people close to me, so I understand how Wizkid is feeling right now. May his mother, our mother because she was dear to me, rest in peace“
— 𝓚𝓮𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓑𝓸𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓸 🦉 💜 (@kellybonito_BU) December 5, 2025
— Davido paused his AfroNation performance to give Wizkid's mom a minute's silence pic.twitter.com/4xH7MFZBTJ
Entertainment Factory!
No comments
Post a Comment