The British monarch King Charles III has praised Nigerian music star Davido, saying his song “Kante” featuring Fave deepened his appreciation for Pidgin English.
Speaking about his exclusive Commonwealth playlist on Monday, the King noted that Pidgin is a unique language he has come to admire.
“It is by the Nigerian artiste Davido, and his song ‘Kante’ featuring Fave. It also features lyrics in Pidgin, which I love in all its forms, and in which I attempted to make a speech when I last visited Nigeria. And thanks to Afrobeats, it is becoming ever more popular around,” King Charles said.
It could be recalled that King Charles launched his Apple music radio show, ‘The King’s Music Room,’ to share the songs that have brought him joy.
The King was photographed at Buckingham Palace for the music project, with an “On Air” sign on the desk of the royal DJ saying, “The next is by a Nigerian Artist called Davido, and it is called ‘Kante.’
“It also features lyrics in pidgin, which I love in all its forms and which I attempted to make a speech with when I last visited Nigeria.
“I understand now; thanks to Afrobeats, it is becoming more popular.”
Davido is the only Nigerian on the king’s list alongside late South African music legend Mariam Makeba, whose song ‘The Click Song’ also made the playlist.
‘Kante,’ featuring Fave, is one of the hit songs from Davido’s Grammy-nominated album ‘Timeless,’ released in 2023.
The album enjoyed commercial success and set several streaming and charting records.
Over the years, Davido has worked with global stars such as Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, and Nas. His music has also topped charts across different continents, making him one of the biggest African artists in the world.
The King’s Music Room playlist was created to celebrate artistes from across the Commonwealth, featuring names like Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones, and Raye.
In a statement released by the palace on Friday, King Charles III shared his inspiration behind the playlist, “Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. It has a remarkable ability to bring back happy memories, provide confidence in times of sadness, and transport us to distant places.
“Above all, it can lift our spirits to an incredible degree. In other words, it brings us joy. I wanted to share the songs that bring me joy, as it seemed an interesting and meaningful way to celebrate Commonwealth Day. Thank you for listening — I wish you every possible blessing.”
The playlist will be available exclusively on Apple Music in honour of Commonwealth Day 2025, set for March 11.
