Nigerian singer Mayorkun has spoken about his relationship with music superstar Davido, saying he considers himself fortunate to have been on Davido’s side and benefited from the singer’s financial support over the years.
Mayorkun made the comment while discussing his association with Davido, describing the support he received as “black tax” and saying Davido sponsored their lifestyles for almost four years.
“I’m lucky to be on Davido’s side. I’ve even been getting black tax from him. For almost four years, he sponsored our lifestyles,” Mayorkun was quoted as saying.
The remark has attracted attention online, particularly because of the way Mayorkun described Davido’s financial support and the length of time it lasted.
Mayorkun and Davido’s long-standing relationship
Mayorkun, whose real name is Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, became closely associated with Davido after joining Davido Music Worldwide (DMW).
His time with the label played an important role in his rise in the Nigerian music industry. Mayorkun went on to establish himself as a successful Afrobeats artist with songs including “Eleko,” “Mama,” “Che Che” and “Betty Butter.”
His relationship with Davido has remained a notable part of his career story, even after he moved on from DMW and continued his career independently.
The latest comments have once again highlighted the personal and professional relationship between the two artists.
What Mayorkun meant by ‘black tax’
The term “black tax” is commonly used to describe financial support provided by successful members of a family or community to relatives and others who depend on them.
In Mayorkun’s comments, the phrase appears to have been used humorously to describe the financial support he says he received from Davido.
Rather than presenting the relationship simply as an artist-label arrangement, Mayorkun's description suggests that the support extended into their wider lifestyle.
His claim that Davido sponsored their lifestyles for almost four years has generated reactions from fans discussing the extent of Davido's generosity toward people within his circle.
Davido’s reputation for supporting his circle
Davido has long maintained a reputation for surrounding himself with a large team of friends, associates, artists and members of his professional crew.
The singer has also frequently been involved in supporting people around him, making his personal relationships a recurring subject of discussion among Nigerian entertainment fans.
Mayorkun's latest remarks provide another perspective on that relationship, particularly from someone who worked closely with Davido during an important period of his career.
While the comment was widely shared online, the available reports primarily reproduce Mayorkun's statement rather than providing a detailed breakdown of what specific expenses or forms of support were covered during the period he mentioned.
Mayorkun’s career beyond DMW
Mayorkun joined DMW in 2016 and quickly became one of the label's prominent young acts.
His breakthrough came with “Eleko,” which helped establish him as one of the emerging stars of Nigerian pop music.
He later released his debut album, The Mayor of Lagos, in 2018, followed by Back in Office in 2021.
After leaving DMW, Mayorkun continued to release music and perform independently, building a career beyond his initial association with Davido.
His latest comments nevertheless show that he continues to acknowledge the influence and support he received during his years around the DMW camp.
