Davido Faces U.S. Court Deadline in Song Theft Dispute

Nigerian music icon David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has 21 days to answer a lawsuit filed against him in a Manhattan federal court, accusing him of stealing a song. The case, lodged on April 4, 2025, pits Davido against four Nigerian artists – Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru, who claim he lifted their 2022 track Work to produce his 2024 hit Strawberry on Ice.

The plaintiffs allege they shared Work with Davido in January 2022, pitching a collaboration. Instead, they say he passed it to Sierra Leonean artist Emmerson Amidu Bockarie, who features on the song, and used its vocals and beats without consent. The suit also names Wynn Records and other collaborators, including Carlos Jenkins and Matthew Quinney, as co-defendants.

Court papers show the artists tried settling privately. On March 14, 2025, Davido reportedly agreed to pay $45,000 and split royalties – 40% for the song’s composition and 20% for its recording, but missed the March 24 deadline. Now, the plaintiffs want $150,000 in damages, legal ownership of their claimed shares, and a court order stopping further misuse.Davido hasn’t commented publicly as of April 10, 2025, and Wynn Records dodged questions from Peoples Gazette.

The silence leaves fans guessing, especially given Davido’s past legal tangles, like his 2023 settlement over a no-show concert.This clash could bruise Davido’s global shine, he’s a Grammy nominee with a massive following, while spotlighting the struggles of smaller artists in Nigeria’s booming music scene.

The plaintiffs, relatively unknown, might gain traction if they win, but they’re up against a heavyweight. With the clock ticking toward April 25, Davido must decide: fight, settle again, or risk a default ruling. Whatever happens, this case might shake up how Afrobeats stars handle creative rights.