In the ever-shifting world of Afrobeats and street-hop, few stories blur the lines between missed opportunities and unwavering self-belief quite like that of CDQ.
In a compelling recent chat on The Echo Room, the rapper born Sodiq Abubakar Yusuf peeled back the curtain on a moment that could have drastically rewritten his musical destiny—an offer from Davido himself.
A DM from Destiny
Fresh off his 2014 breakout anthem “Indomie” with Olamide, CDQ had the streets buzzing. But what came next was even more unexpected: a Twitter DM from Davido. Riding high on tour success, the DMW boss reached out with a bold vision—to sign CDQ and crown him the biggest African rapper.
“Davido told me, ‘I’ll make you the biggest rapper in Africa,’” CDQ recalled, still visibly humbled by the moment.
The Deal That Slipped
But when the excitement faded, real decisions had to be made. CDQ and longtime collaborator Masterkraft weren’t looking for a full-label switch. They proposed a strategic partnership, out of loyalty to General Records, the label that gave CDQ his launchpad.
Davido wasn’t interested in a shared setup. He wanted full commitment. And just like that, the door quietly closed before it could fully open.
Why CDQ Walked Away
Though tempted, CDQ prioritized creative control, contractual integrity, and his journey so far. In his words: “If I had taken the deal, things might have moved faster. But I had people I couldn’t just leave behind. Loyalty means something.”
Even in turning it down, he held nothing but respect for Davido, describing him as gracious, humble, and forward-thinking.
Building Without a Co-Sign
Refusing Davido’s offer didn’t stall CDQ’s momentum. Instead, it solidified his drive. He stuck with General Records, then later launched his own label—NSNS (No Struggle No Success). His Quality album hosted stars like Wizkid, Davido, Banky W, and Olamide, proof that industry respect followed him anyway.
And in staying the course, he carved a lane where Yoruba rap thrived on street credibility, independence, and hustle-driven pride.
What Could’ve Been vs. What Is
Would DMW’s platform have catapulted CDQ to continental domination? Possibly. But CDQ’s legacy lies in his resilience, not his regrets.
He might not have taken Davido’s elevator, but he still climbed—bar by bar, block by block.
Final Word
This is more than a missed deal—it’s a story about creative conviction over comfort, and choosing growth on your own terms. CDQ’s refusal of Davido’s deal wasn’t a rejection of success, but a bet on his own trajectory.
In the noisy business of fame, not all crowns are handed out—some are earned, with scars to match.
