OPINION: Davido’s fans and what it means to really idolize an artist

Davido is one of the biggest African megastars with millions of ardent fans, tons of hit songs, iconic albums under his name, a high-flying lifestyle, a private jet, millions of followers online, a staggeringly fat bank account and a smile that would send terrorists into hiding.

He’s big not just across Africa but beyond the shores and has worked with some of the biggest names in the US rap scene and seems to keep attracting new fans daily, the latest being Jamaican sensation Koffee who just can't get over the superstar’s music.

His gruff voice, groovy choruses, catchy hits and bubbly countenance has endeared him to millions of fans who seem to resonate with him despite the fact that, unlike his contemporaries Wizkid and Burna Boy, he is actually the son of a billionaire and was born right in a gilded palace.

His feverish stage presence sends fans into a blinding frenzy as girls struggle to catch a breath and men bow down to their musical god.

His hits "If" and "Fall" became some of the biggest hits to ever hit the global musical sphere and had everyone crooning along and even earned a remix from the now-disgraced King of RnB R. Kelly.

Davido knows his craft, knows his audience, knows how to strike, and knows he's loved.

On Wednesday, the flamboyant Nigerian star took to Twitter to announce that his birthday was in the offing and that he needed to gift himself something really pricey - a Rolls Royce Cullinan.

Well, the process to acquire the sheeny machine has already started and all he needed was some, you know, N100million (Ksh. 25 million) to clear it from the port.

He tweeted, " “if you know I’ve given you a hit song, send me money… una know una selves ooo,”

And then added," I wan clear my Rolls Royce from Port abeg"

After also tweeting out his bank details, an avalanche of monies started raining into his account even baffling the singer himself.

In just 10 minutes, Davido's fans and fellow celebrities had sent the star some N10Million and didn't seem to want to stop.

Bewildered, he tweeted "Omo 7 m in 10 minutes keep goin!! I love y'all!  AIM NAH 100m I wan clear my rolls Royce from port abeg"

And from there, things could only get crazier as more and more millions poured into his bank account.

Celebrities like Obi Cubana, Chike, Don Jazzy, Peruzzi, Zlatan ibile, E-money, Adekunle Gold, Patoranking, Toke Makinwa, Ckay, Mayorkun and MI Abaga also joined in sending Davido millions of Nairas and leaving the internet stumped.

It's rare for a celebrity of Davido's stature, a filthy rich musician in his own right and whose dad is the one and only billionaire Adedeji Adeleke, to jump on Twitter and ask fans to help him clear a luxury car from the port.

Many would argue that Davido was already wealthy enough and that he didn't need his fans to support his ostentatious desires but still, his wealth, really, is not the money in his bank but the overwhelming love his fans have for him.

"Davido has always supported initiatives. He has educated kids, started schools, provided clean water in villages, blessed many random people with cash in the streets and changed the lives of everyone around him," an ardent fan noted.

But the trend, which has also been picked up by a few other Nigerian celebrities, has left the internet divided on who should send money to the other - fan or superstar?

Actress Destiny Etiko and actor Kunle Remi also joined in and asked fans to send them money too.

In the West, celebrities like Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Drake, Justin Bieber and more are known for spending millions of their own dollars on their fans for various causes.

Drake donated nearly $1million worth of cash, groceries and cars to fans on the set of 'God's Plan'.

Nigerian artists, much like the Tanzanian ones, seem to enjoy a sort of cultish following from their fans and can always fall back on them not when times are rough - but even while things are rosy.

But while Nigerian celebs still give to fans time after time, it seems the trend has shifted and this time, if you really enjoy their art that much, you better throw something in the basket.

Not a huge challenge if you're as universally loved as Davido.

He’s now at over N160million (Ksh.39 million), way more than he actually needed. Well, guess whose ritzy Rolls Royce Cullinan has already left the port?