King Lekan: The Maestro Leading The Kingsmen & Powering Davido’s 5ive Tour

The stage lights dim, and the roaring of thousands of fans intensified from thousands of fans who filled up the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan to see the iconic Afrobeats superstar Davido.

The drums rolled in, the strings rang out electrifying riffs, and the keys announced the presence of the man of the hour. Behind Davido’s new elevated stagemanship is The Kingsmen Band led by King Lekan, whom I had exchanged pleasantries with minutes before he hit the stage.

Davido’s ongoing 5ive tour has taken him to iconic venues across cities in North America, Europe, and Nigeria. Together with the Kingsmen, they have delivered unforgettable experiences. On November 8, the tour had a glorious stop in Dubai, and barely 12 hours later, Davido and the band were in Ibadan.

As expected, the award-winning hitmaker gave us a show, and it was an experience that will stay with me and thousands of others for a long time.

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After the show, I caught up with King Lekan to talk about the monumental task of shaping Davido’s live music, leading the Kingsmen, and pursuing a solo career.

“With all humility, it is one of the best feelings in the world,” Lekan says, his voice carrying the calm of someone used to managing stadium-sized chaos. “These guys are professionals and the best in the world. I do not take the level of trust they have in me for granted. The Kingsmen is a force in the live music industry, and we are just getting started.”

Touring with a global powerhouse like Davido is an exercise in high-stakes adaptation. The 5ive tour has been a milestone, and King Lekan notes that being part of the Nigerian lap has been an incredible experience. Despite the unpredictable nature of local infrastructure, he credits Davido’s team with handling everything seamlessly.

“The fans cannot get enough,” he explains. “People are coming out in record-breaking numbers. We did Côte D’Ivoire the other day, and every song was a sing-along. I have been there a few times, but the recent experience with Davido has been the best.”

Yet, behind the glamour and sold-out shows are peculiar challenges, especially when touring Nigeria, that even the band can’t escape. However, the "show must go on" mentality is what separates the amateurs from the icons. King Lekan and his band embrace this mindset and adapt to these peculiarities.

“We anticipated challenges because we know how difficult touring in Nigeria can be. When issues came up with the backline, for instance, my sense of adaptation kicked in. To ensure excellence, we travel with our own key backline and technical equipment.”

In recent months, King Lekan’s social media has exploded. Viral clips of his piano solos and bird’s-eye views from the stage have garnered millions of views, offering fans a rare glimpse into the engine room of a tour.

These clips have helped showcase King Lekan’s moments of genius, as well as his band’s decisive contribution to elevating the musical experience.

He tells me shares this video to show people the different efforts that go into Davido’s celebrated concerts and to also inspire younger bands and instrumentalists. 

“I told myself I wanted to be more active and consistent on social media to give people more content,” he laughs. “The point of social media is to be social. Many people are in my DMs daily asking for mentorship or just to meet me. These videos are my way of connecting with those who love what I do and inspiring the next generation.”

In an ecosystem where the bands hardly get recognised for their contributions, King Lekan is leading the way in highlighting their efforts in helping artists shine.  

“I have taken it upon myself to make sure that bands and key personnel, such as the Music Director, get their flowers. We are one of the reasons why artists are regarded as great performers.”

As someone who has performed across various genres, King Lekan sees a distinct difference between playing for an R&B act and an Afrobeats artist. While R&B is a long-established global genre, he believes Afrobeats is on a path to carve a name for itself on the global stage. 

“Thanks to artists such as Davido and Ayra Starr, and the new Grammy category, we are moving closer every year,” he notes. “Being on stage with an Afrobeats artist is personal for me as a Nigerian. I want to make sure the live sound translates through all cultures, especially in the Western world.”

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For Lekan, the musicality of a project often carries more weight than the lyrics. He views sound as a universal language with healing capabilities. 

“I pay more attention to the musicality. You might not remember every lyric, but you’ll never forget how you felt during that concert. Afrobeats is a great example: someone in Asia can connect with the vibe without knowing the meaning of the words.”

Juggling a solo career with the demands of an elite band is a daunting task. Between flying, rehearsals, and performances, Lekan spends most of his life on the road. Despite this, he has already released two acclaimed projects, ‘No Time’ and ‘Throne,’ featuring collaborations with Moelogo, Ayo Jay, and the Grammy-winning poet J. Ivy.

His time in the band has only sharpened his solo work and given him broader perspectives to explore.

 “Being in a band helps my music because I meet people all around the world. It allows me to study the work ethic of the artists we perform with and encourages me to be more expressive. My bandmates know I am a firm believer in self-expression on stage.”

Touring his home country has left a lasting impression on King Lekan. He tells me how he’s still always amazed at the hustling spirit of the average Nigerian, whether in Uyo, Enugu, or Ibadan. 

 “The drive to make it is ten times more than that of an average American because of the lack of infrastructure and basic opportunities. When an artist from Nigeria actually blows up, you know they overcame every obstacle possible.”

This resilience fuels his own ambition. Despite reaching a stage where many would say he has nothing left to prove, Lekan begs to differ.

“Despite leading a highly sought-after band and being part of monumental moments on iconic stages across the world, I still feel I have to continue to prove myself. This state of mind allows me to work harder and never relent. I love showing up every day with a new drive and a willingness to learn.”

As the tour lights eventually fade, the focus shifts to the future. King Lekan confirms that he is already looking towards 2026 for his next major project. For the man who helps the stars find their rhythm, the journey is only just beginning.

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