Popular Nigerian musician David Adeleke, who is known by his stage name Davido, is also popular for his “30 Billion Gang” slang.
This leaves Nigerians and fans at large to wonder how this slang came about, or if it is more than a slang.
Well, if you’re amongst the curious many, then you are at the right place. We bring to you, everything you need to know about the “30 Billion Gang (30BG).”
How 30 Billion Gang started
The 30 Billion Gang first started as slang. It all started in 2017 when the singer took to his Snapchat to joke about quitting music.
According to the singer, his family was rich and he obviously didn’t need the hard work anymore.
Chief Adedeji Adeleke had been awarded a contract reportedly worth $4bn, which allegedly made him “NGN30 billion”.
The Continuation
David released a record “If”, in 2017 with a line that resonated with millions of people across the continent – “30 billion for the account oh.”
It was a harmless line, designed to show his wealth to his love interest whom he was threatening to kill with enjoyment and also to possibly confirm the rumours, who knows?
The song grew in bounds and the line kept spreading, making the song real popular and the talk of the town.
Davido and his team members knew that they had definitely struck gold. “30 Billion” became the pop standard for wealth. Many young guys felt if they didn’t have such an amount of money in their accounts, then they still had a long way to go.
While some took the song as a motivation to work harder, others took it as a means of Davido flaunting his father’s wealth.
However, creators of the line branded themselves with it after Davido packed his bags and left HKN Gang.
HKN is owned by Chairman HKN right now, another member of the family, Adewale Adeleke aka Chairman HKN.
30 Billion Gang member Sina Rambo confirmed in an interview in 2018 that Davido left the group.
“I mean HKN is family, Davido was part of the family but he always wanted to start his own personal label and develop talents from the root.
“Davido is like any big artist who is going to have many ventures but as far as HKN is concerned, he just doesn’t have any shares anymore, but it’s family,” he says in the interview.
Rebranding himself and his team, the singer took up the ” 30 Billion Gang” slang, which has become a strong rallying banner, thanks to his song “If”.
It was definitely catchy and befitting as it connotes strength, wealth, affluence, opulence, pride, happiness, and success.
It was just perfect for OBO and his team. Within the coming months, everyone associated with Davido became a member, and a logo was born. As the success of “If” continued to startle people, the name kept growing.
See also: Kanye West covers Davido’s ‘IF’ at his Sunday Service and you need to watch!
Here is a list of the members of OBO’s 30 Billion Gang
One way of identifying the members of the 30 Billion Gang is by noting those that he hangs out with.
His closest friends in the music industry are members of his team but to officially induct them, Davido bought all of them a piece of jewellery showing their affiliations with his ‘gang.’
It has also become a way of identifying the members of Davido’s crew. That is the closest friend he hangs out within the music industry. These guys are the official members of the 30 billion gang.
Check out the list below
1. Davido (Gang Leader)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAIkl8lBROp/
David Adedeji Adeleke who’s stage name is Davido, is an American-born Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.
Davido was born in Atlanta, US, on 21 November 1992, and was raised in Lagos.
He made his music debut as a member of the music group KB International. He studied business administration at Oakwood University before dropping out to make beats and record vocal references.
Davido rose to fame after releasing “Dami Duro”, the second single from his debut studio album, Omo Baba Olowo, released in 2012, from which six additional singles—”Back When”, “Ekuro”, “Overseas”, “All of You”, “Gbon Gbon” and “Feel Alright”—were taken.
In 2012, Davido won the Next Rated award at The Headies. Between 2013 and 2015, he released the hit singles “Gobe”, “One of a Kind”, “Skelewu”, “Aye”, “Tchelete (Goodlife)”, “Naughty”, “Owo Ni Koko”, “The Sound” and “The Money”.
The singer, songwriter, and record producer now has his own record label called Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), which he launched a few months after signing with Sony.
The singer, who is the boss of DMW, is engaged to be married to Chioma Avril Rowland and they have a son, David feanyi J together.
He is a father to three adorable children, two girls and one boy from three different mothers.
2. Sir Banko (President, Davido Music Worldwide)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8gmBF2geUB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Sir Banko was the president of DMW when Davido launched the company in 2016. Not much is known about him publicly including his full name. He left DMW in July 2019 to become head of Sony Music West Africa.
3. Asa Asika – Manager
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqourCFC-Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Asa Asika, who was the first manager of Davido, can be called the youngest manager in the Nigerian music industry.
His interest in the music industry is largely influenced by his early meander within the entertainment world: artists, events, party clubs and of course his uncle, Obi Asika, who is the CEO of “Storm Records”, and also his older cousin Naeto C, who is also a music artist.
Asa started his career at the age of 16 in Lagos where he was born and raised. At that time, he was a student of White Sand School at Eti-Osa, Lekki Peninsula Lagos Nigeria.
After his graduation in 2008, with his fresh, vibrant experience and hard work, he became Davido’s manager.
The youngsters were full of ambitions and as close friends, they had great alliances, Asa was just 22 years old.
After his split with Davido, this young manager went ahead to establish himself as an entrepreneur in the world of music. His company is known as Stargaze Management Company where he manages artists and aids up-rising music artists reach stardom. Some call him a Child Star Manager, others call him the Underground Lord.
Asa Asika is probably the youngest entrepreneur manager in the music industry in Nigeria. Call it a family business if you like, but family businesses can surely influence our destiny and dreams especially in Nigeria, and as well act as an anchor to our choices of career.
The two have since separated but still maintained their alliance as best of friends.
4. Adewale Adeleke – Chairman HKN, Affiliate Consultant
https://www.instagram.com/p/B80gSmZFMHz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Adewale Adeleke is professionally known as Chairman HKN. He is a songwriter and businessman. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Adewale relocated to Lagos, Nigeria, in 2010.
In 2012 he produced the album “Omo Baba Olowo” on his record label HKN Music. In 2015 Adeleke was appointed an executive director in his father’s energy company, Pacific Energy.
Adewale was born in 1988 to Chief Deji and Grace Ajunwa in Atlanta.
Adewale Adeleke is Davido’s elder brother and he got married to his sweetheart recently in a lavish wedding in Dubai.
5. King Spesh – Hypeman, Head Of Client Relations
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYxVvDFHo8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Edward Chukwuma Ijah, who is known as Special Spesh or King Spesh, is currently the head of corporate sponsorship for HKN.
He is best known for the role he plays as Davido’s hypeman and close buddy. Special Spesh has carved a niche for himself as one of the most influential men in the Nigerian music industry.
6. Sam ‘Olofofo’ Frank – Talent Management, Digital Strategy
Sam Phrank, is one of Nigeria’s fast-rising talent managers and Davido Music Worldwide’s (DMW) executive.
Speaking via a telephone interview with The Sun News online, the Abia State native revealed that he met Davido through B-Red, his cousin.
“He hired me to put up his new music on my blog and also needed me to use my influence to get it featured on other platforms. I did a good job and then he recommended me to Davido who needed digital PR for a project he was working on at the time.
“I was 18 then, and in my first year in university. I always tell people that 9ja Olofofo was a solid stepping point for me. It brought me closer to the people I needed to get to where I am right now, ” Sam Phrank says in the interview.
He is the owner of NaijaOlofofo. The website is an entertainment blog where you can download music videos, as well as movies.
7. Mayorkun – Musician
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCnsR9GjBnZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, whose stage name is Mayorkun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and pianist. He was born on 23 March 1994.
Mayorkun is a singer signed to Davido’s record label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), in 2016. His debut single, “Eleko” was released under the label.
Mayorkun released his debut studio album, The Mayor of Lagos, in November 2018.
