I did not pay Davido $100 000 — Chipaz
By Vasco Chaya and Denyse Bernard
HARARE – Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, who is promoting Nigerian star Davido’s maiden concert set for Belgravia Sports Club in Harare tomorrow, has refuted claims that he paid $100 000 to bring the Skelewu singer to Zimbabwe.
According to rates previously availed by HKN Music, co-owned by Davido and his elder brother Ade, to another Zimbabwean promoter, it costs at least $100 000 to hire Davido and his 12-member strong band.
Additionally, the interested promoter has to pay for five business class air tickets and seven economy class tickets as well as two executive suites and 10 standard rooms.
Once in the host country, Davido requires two SUVs and a luxury bus in addition to two personal body guards.
The promoter who hires Davido must also pay a daily per diem of $100 for all the 12 members of his band.
If a promoter opts to bring only Davido and a DJ, he has to part with $60 000.
The Nigerian star, who will bring a six-member travelling party, will demand two executive suites, four standard rooms, three business class air tickets, three economy class tickets, two SUVs and two personal bodyguards. The promoter will also be required to pay a daily per diem of $100 for the six-member travelling party.
“I will not reveal the exact amount we paid Davido because it is private and confidential. We negotiated a better deal with the artiste because he is currently on an African tour and because of that we are paying far less. Charges fluctuate depending on the situation and context,” said Chimbodza, the director of Chipaz Promotions.
Chimbodza revealed that Davido was expected to arrive in Zimbabwe Friday morning.
“He is arriving on Friday at 1:00am and a press conference will be held later in the day,” he said.
The award-winning promoter added that instead of speculating on how much he paid to bring the Nigerian star to Zimbabwe, local artistes must be inspired by Davido’s maiden concert in Zimbabwe.
“Local artistes should see what Davido is doing so that they can emulate and go international like what Davido has done.
“Since we are bringing Davido for the first time in Zimbabwe, fans should expect to see the best of him,” Chimbodza said.
Born David Adeleke, Davido has shared the stage with popular names such as T-Pain, Fabulous, Keith Sweat and D’banj.
Some of his popular songs include Skelewu, Dami Duroaye and Tchelete featuring South Africa’s Mafikizolo. Daily News
