Throughout the weekend, the news was everywhere that Nigerian Afrobeat musician, Davido, and American rapper, Kanye West were present during the Atlanta United and Columbus FC Major League Soccer game.
During the game which was played on Saturday night, July 24, Davido was given the most historic role at Atlanta United which was to hit the Atlanta Golden Spike, a ritual performed once in MLS season.
Before now, the soccer club usually select one American celebrity to perform the ritual. This time around, they decided to select Davido, a Nigerian musician who was born in Atlanta to Nigerian parents 28 years ago.
The Afrobeat musician hit the Atlanta Golden Spike before the commencement of the MLS game. During the ceremony, Davido stroke the Golden Spike thrice before he stepped down from the podium. Each time he hit the spike, the excited fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia chanted a letter from the name of the city “Atlanta. Hence, in the three hits, the fans chanted the first three letters from the city’s name ‘A-T-L’.
The fans of the MLS club believe the Golden Spike represents the berth of a new movement in Atlanta. Fortunately for Davido, the Nigerian musician became the first African singer to be given the honor of being a Golden Spike hitter.
When he was called to the podium to hit the spike, visuals of some of his music videos could be seen lighting up the 70 thousand capacity stadium. The musician wore a customized jersey with shirt number 7 and ‘Davido’ Embroidered on the back.
In recent history, some of the notable Atlanta-born celebrities that have been given the honor to hit the Golden Spike include, rapper 2 Chainz, Yung Joc, Waka Flocka, country musician Zac Brown, and others.
Atlanta United took to their verified Twitter page to share the moment Davido took to the podium to hit the Golden Spike. In the caption, the MLS club wrote: “Atlanta born. Nigeria made Afrobeats artist @Davido is your Golden Spike Hitter”.
Atlanta born. Nigeria made 🇳🇬
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) July 24, 2021
Afrobeats artist @Davido is your Golden Spike Hitter 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7FLIyXNz1m
Meanwhile, America rapper, Kanye West was the first to have the stage at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He did a preview of his upcoming tenth studio album, Donda, for 40,000 people at the stadium before the match kick-off.
Reports claimed that the estranged wife of the American rapper, Kim Kardashian was also present at the stadium during the album listening moment.
After his performance, Kanye West decided to stay back to enjoy the Atalanta United vs Columbus game. Unfortunately for him, his team, Atlanta lost 1-0.
Kanye West’s Donda album which is named after his late mother is expected to be released in early August.
.@KanyeWest at the Atlanta United game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium today (7.24.21) pic.twitter.com/1f40FNxiBT
— Photos Of Kanye West (@PhotosOfKanye) July 24, 2021
