Davido Joins Stake.com as Global Ambassador in Landmark Deal

Davido, known for his electrifying stage presence and global hits, has transcended borders as one of the leading figures in Afrobeats. The Nigerian-American artist routinely performs to sold-out crowds worldwide, including a standout performance at the 2023 BET Awards in Los Angeles, and boasts a massive fanbase of over 30 million Instagram followers

Born David Adedeji Adeleke in Atlanta in 1992 and raised in Lagos, Davido broke into the music scene with early 2011 hits like “Dami Duro,” quickly cementing himself as a household name in Nigeria. Over the past decade, he has released chart-topping albums (such as Omo Baba Olowo and A Better Time) and collaborated with international stars, earning multiple awards and helping propel Afrobeats into the global pop culture mainstream. His influence extends far beyond music, as a trendsetter for Africa’s youth and a symbol of the continent’s talent on the world stage, Davido has become a cultural ambassador in his own right, resonating with millions across Africa and the diaspora.

Founded in 2017, Stake.com has quickly grown into one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency-based betting platforms, offering online casino games and sports betting using digital currencies. In less than five years, the Curaçao-licensed platform (originally launched in Australia) has exploded into a billion-dollar company, operating globally

Stake.com is known for its tech-savvy approach to gambling – users wager with Bitcoin, Ethereum and other crypto – and for its splashy marketing efforts that blur the lines between online entertainment and betting. A key part of Stake’s strategy has been aligning with superstar influencers and athletes. In 2022, the company famously partnered with rap icon Drake, who became a Stake ambassador and began hosting live-streamed gambling sessions for fans.  The “Hotline Bling” rapper’s high-roller roulette bets and massive crypto giveaways, streamed to tens of thousands of viewers, quickly went viral, bringing huge visibility to the Stake brand. Beyond music, Stake.com has inked deals in the sports world – from being an official betting partner of the UFC to sponsoring Formula 1 racing and English football clubs

Other celebrity partners include Argentine football legend Sergio “Kun” Agüero and Nigerian-born UFC champion Israel Adesanya, both of whom have joined Stake as global ambassadors. By teaming up with high-profile names across sports and entertainment, Stake has cultivated a youthful, hype-driven image at the intersection of crypto, betting, and pop culture.

The news of Davido’s Stake.com deal broke on May 9, when the 30-year-old Afrobeats hitmaker posted a video across his social media platforms unveiling the partnership. “We win better with @stake. Welcome to the winning team,” Davido declared in his announcement, accompanied by a clip of him adorned in Stake-branded gear. The slogan immediately caught fans’ attention online, generating excitement among both crypto enthusiasts and music lovers. Within hours, Stake.com’s official account welcomed Davido aboard with a celebratory message, and the artist updated his Instagram bio to proudly read “Global Ambassador @stake”.

Fans and industry observers have reacted with a mix of surprise and enthusiasm. Many see the collaboration as a natural fit given Davido’s persona of lavish success – the artist often sings about money and “30 billion” fortune – aligning with Stake’s high-stakes branding.

Memes and comments quickly flooded Nigerian Twitter and Instagram, with Davido’s supporters cheering his latest bag (“OBO keeps winning!” wrote one fan, referencing his nickname Omo Baba Olowo, meaning “rich man’s son”).

The announcement has been treated as a proud moment for African entertainment, as Davido stands shoulder-to-shoulder with global stars like Drake in the world of major brand endorsements.

Both Davido and Drake are megastars in their own realms, and their respective partnerships with Stake.com highlight the platform’s two-pronged marketing approach. Drake, with over 140 million Instagram followers and a dominant presence in North American and European pop culture, brought Stake a truly global mainstream reach. His ambassadorship centered on live streaming high-profile betting sessions, tapping into his fanbase of hip-hop listeners and casino enthusiasts around the world.

By contrast, Davido – who boasts a formidable 30 million followers himself and unparalleled popularity in Africa – offers Stake a gateway to the African and Afro-diaspora markets that are arguably under-tapped in the crypto betting space. While Drake’s partnership was a splashy play for worldwide attention, Davido’s involvement could resonate more deeply with audiences in Nigeria, West Africa, and Afro-Caribbean/African communities in the UK, US, and beyond who identify with the Afrobeats movement.

The demographic impact of Davido’s deal may differ from Drake’s in scope but not in significance. Drake appeals broadly across genres and geographies, whereas Davido commands a more specialized (yet still massive) following among Africa’s youth and the African diaspora. For Stake, adding Davido to their ambassador lineup “places the Afrobeats superstar alongside other global icons” like Drake and Adesanya, enhancing the platform’s diversity of reach. It’s a strategic complement: Drake’s campaigns have already drawn in Western gamblers, and now Davido can energize users in Africa and diaspora communities who might be more inclined to engage with a brand championed by one of their own.

Stake’s bold bet is that star power from different corners of the globe will translate into new user sign-ups and brand loyalty in multiple markets. Notably, both artists have integrated Stake into their personal brands – even listing the company in their social media bios – reflecting a level of commitment beyond a typical ad hoc endorsement. And while exact figures aren’t confirmed, Drake’s deal was rumored to be worth up to $100 million, and Davido’s in the tens of millions, underscoring the high stakes (no pun intended) at play for celebrity crypto endorsements. By any measure, seeing a Nigerian artist secure such a lucrative partnership on the heels of Drake is a testament to Afrobeats’ growing global clout.