Afrobeats superstar Davido has revealed an interesting fact about his collaborations with American rapper Nicki Minaj—despite working together on two major songs, they have never met in person.
Speaking in a recent interview on the Bootleg Kev podcast, the Nigerian hitmaker shared how their first collaboration, the 2020 track Holy Ground, came to life purely through social media interactions.
The revelation surprised many fans, considering their undeniable musical chemistry. Davido explained that their connection began when he noticed Nicki Minaj following him on Instagram, prompting him to take a bold step.
“You know the crazy thing? I have never met her [Nicki Minaj]. It’s crazy,” Davido stated. “We speak on the phone all the time, but the first time we connected was through DM.” Excited by the opportunity, he wasted no time in reaching out. “I noticed she was following me, and I texted her. I woke up the next morning and saw her reply. I was shocked. I told her I had a song for us, and she said she was interested. I think it was 2019 or 2020. I sent her the record, and two days later, she sent me her verse.”
The speed and efficiency of their collaboration left Davido impressed, reinforcing Nicki Minaj’s reputation as a professional who respects artistry.
Despite their plans to shoot a music video for Holy Ground in Los Angeles, unforeseen circumstances prevented it from happening. According to Davido, Nicki Minaj was pregnant at the time, which made it impossible for them to meet in person and film together.
“We went to L.A. to shoot the video, but it didn’t work out because she was having her baby at that time,” he shared. Although disappointed, Davido remained grateful for the collaboration, noting that the song became a standout hit on his A Better Time album. Even without a video, the track resonated deeply with fans, showcasing Nicki’s rap finesse blended seamlessly with Davido’s Afrobeats sound.
Their working relationship did not end there. Years later, Nicki Minaj reached out to Davido again for her Pinkprint 3 album, marking their second collaboration. The rapper’s continued interest in working with him reaffirmed her support for his craft.
“She hit me again with the record last year for Pink 3, I think her anniversary album. She’s always supportive. She’s amazing,” Davido said, expressing admiration for her willingness to collaborate across genres. He emphasized that their bond extended beyond music, as they regularly communicate and share mutual respect for each other’s artistry.
Despite never meeting in person, Davido and Nicki Minaj’s collaborations serve as a testament to how digital connections can lead to incredible musical partnerships.
Fans remain hopeful that one day, the two stars will finally cross paths and perhaps even perform together. In an industry where personal connections often drive collaborations, their story stands out as proof that genuine artistic synergy can thrive, even from miles apart.
