David Adedeji AdelekeOON (born November 21, 1992), known professionally asDavido, is aNigerian-American singer, songwriter and record producer.[1][2][3] Davido was born inAtlanta, U.S, and raised inLagos, Nigeria. He made his music debut as a member of the group KB International. Davido studied business administration atOakwood University before dropping out to makebeats and record vocal references. He rose to fame after releasing "Dami Duro", the second single from his debut studio albumOmo Baba Olowo (2012), from which six additional singles—"Back When", "Ekuro", "Overseas", "All of You", "Gbon Gbon" and "Feel Alright"—were taken. In 2012, Davido won theNext Rated award atThe Headies. Between 2013 and 2015, he released the singles "Gobe", "One of a Kind", "Skelewu", "Aye", "Tchelete (Goodlife)", "Naughty", "Owo Ni Koko", "The Sound" and "The Money".
In January 2016, Davido announced onTwitter that he had signed a record deal withSony Music and a few months later, he founded the record labelDavido Music Worldwide, to which artists includingMorravey and Logos Olori are currently signed. In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with Sony'sRCA Records and in October the same year, he released the five-trackExtended Play (EP)Son of Mercy, which was supported by the singles "Gbagbe Oshi", "How Long" and "Coolest Kid in Africa". In April 2017, Davido re-negotiated his contract with Sony due to creative control issues and later that year, he released five singles including "If" and "Fall".[4] "If" generated worldwide social-media activity while "Fall" became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song inBillboard history.[4][5] In November 2019, Davido released his second studio albumA Good Time, which was supported by the previously released singles "If", "Fall", "Assurance", "Blow My Mind" and "Risky".
In 2019,New African magazine listed Davido as one of the 100 most-influential Africans.[6] His third studio album,A Better Time, was released on November 13, 2020. In February 2021, Davido appeared onTime 100's Next List.[7] He releasedTimeless, his fourthstudio album, on March 31, 2023. Davido is acultural ambassador forNigeria and a prominent voice of human rights in Africa.[8] He is also one of the most-followed African artists onInstagram and Twitter.[9][10]
While at Oakwood, Davido bought musical equipment and started making beats.[16] He also formed the music act KB International with his cousinsB-Red and Sina Rambo.[15] Davido dropped out of Oakwood University to pursue music full-time and relocated to London, where he worked on his vocals.[16] After returning to Nigeria in 2011, Davido paused his music career and agreed to honor his father by enrolling atBabcock University, from which he graduated in July 2015, with a degree in music after his father paid the university to start a music department for an inaugural class of one student.[16][17]
TheNaeto C-assisted track "Back When" was released as the album's lead single on May 7, 2011. It was produced in London[22] by Davido and received frequent airplay.[23][24][25] TheClarence Peters-directed music video for "Back When" was uploaded to YouTube on May 9, 2011.[26] Davido andShizzi produced the album's second single "Dami Duro", which was released on October 30, 2011.[27][28] In an interview posted on theNotJustOk website, Davido said he recorded the song in August of that year. The song was leaked three months after he sent it to some of his friends.[29] The accompanying music video for "Dami Duro" was released on January 8, 2012, during theOccupy Nigeria protests.[30]
The album's third single "Ekuro" was released on January 25, 2012. Its music video was recorded and directed in Miami by Antwan Smith.[31] Nigerian singerAramide released a soulful cover of the song.[32] The album's fourth single "Overseas" was released on May 6, 2012; an unfinished version of the song was leaked prior to its official release.[33][34] The GospelOnDeBeatz-produced track "All of You" was released as the album's fifth single on September 28, 2012; Davido said he recorded the song with GospelOnDeBeatz' whom he met at a mall.[35]
2013–2016: Standalone releases,The Baddest andSon of Mercy
On February 25, 2013, Davido released the Shizzi-produced track "Gobe".[36] It was ranked second onPremium Times' list of the Top 10 songs of 2013.[37] In a review forVanguard newspaper, Charles Mgbolu said the song "exudes fun from start to finish".[38] Godfather Productions recorded the song's music video in South Africa.[39] Davido announced onTwitter "One of a Kind" would be released on May 13, 2013.[40] Shizzl also produced the song.[41] Tebza of Godfather Productions recorded and directed the song's music video inSouth Africa; it depicts a united Africa that is rich in culture and music.[42]
"Skelewu" was released on August 13, 2013.[43] It was ranked fifth onPremium Times' list of the top 10 songs of 2013.[37][44] On August 18, 2013, Davido promoted "Skelewu" by uploading an instructional dance video to YouTube; the release was accompanied by an announcement of a "Skelewu" dance competition.[45][46] "Skelewu" was supported with two music videos;[47] the first was directed bySesan and released on October 15, 2013.[48] It was uploaded to YouTube using a parody account. Shortly after the video's release, Davido said someone betrayed him by releasing it and that he would make another video with Moe Musa, a UK-based music video director.[49] Sesan criticized Davido and his management for releasing inaccurate statements.[50][51] Moa Musa recorded and directed the official music video for "Skelewu" in London, and it was released in October 2013.[52]
On February 1, 2014, Davido released "Aye", which was produced by T-Spize.[53][54] The song's music video was directed byClarence Peters and released on February 7, 2014.[55] In the video, Davido plays a poor farmer who falls in love with a prince's fiancé.[56] Davido's collaborative single with South African duoMafikizolo, titled "Tchelete (Goodlife)", was released on April 30, 2014.[57] It was produced by Oskido and Shizzi, and distributed byMTN's Play and Callertunez platforms.[57][58] Davido networked with Mafikizolo atMTN Nigeria's Elite Night event in December 2013.[59] The song's music video was recorded and directed by Twenty Twenty Media.[60]Oskido andUhuru madecameo appearances in the video.[61]
Davido at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
In June 2014, Davido collaborated withMi Casa,Lola Rae,Sarkodie,Diamond Platnumz andTiwa Savage on "Africa Rising", a song that was used forDStv's eponymous campaign to promotesocial investment projects. The song's music video was recorded and directed by South African production house Callback Dreams.[62] The artists performed the song at the Africa Rising launch ceremony in Mauritius.[63] In June 2015, Davido released theMeek Mill-assistedtrap song "Fans Mi".[64] Before its release, he teased fans with the audio and behind-the-scene photographs of the video.[65]
Davido's albumThe Baddest was scheduled for release in June 2015[66] but its release was postponed to October 10 that year.[67] Two days prior to this date, the release was again postponed because an unnamed corporation expressed an interest in distributing it.[67] Davido had released the album's cover art and track listing earlier that year.[66]The Baddest was planned to feature production from Shizzi, Del B,Spellz, J Fem,Don Jazzy,Puffy Tee,Uhuru,Kiddominant andYoung John.[66] It was also going to feature guest artists such asP-Square, Don Jazzy,Runtown,Uhuru, DJ Buckz,Akon, Meek Mill,Wale andTrey Songz.[66] In January 2016, Davido announced on Twitter he signed a record deal withSony Music; his announcement was met with mixed reactions.[68] The record label put out a press release to confirm the deal.[69] Davido's contract with Sony required him to release two albums, and allowed him to retain the rights to his music and performances.[70]
A few months after signing with Sony, Davido founded the record label Davido Music Worldwide (DMW).[71] Dremo,Mayorkun, Yonda andPeruzzi are currently signed to the label.[72][73] In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal withRCA Records.[74] His record deal with Sony Music altered plans forThe Baddest's release.[75] According to Pulse Nigeria, Davido's contract with Sony required the album to have international appeal to allow for its global distribution.[75] In October 2016, he released the five-track EPSon of Mercy, which was supported by the singles "Gbagbe Oshi", "How Long", "Coolest Kid in Africa";[76] and includes guest appearances bySimi,Tinashe andNasty C.[77]
Davido won Best African Act at the 2017MOBO Awards.[78] On February 17, 2017, he released "If",[79] which was produced byTekno, whoghost-wrote the track for Davido.[80] The music video for "If" has been streamed over 172 million times onYouTube, securing a place among his top-performing videos.[81] The song was a certified diamond by theRecording Industry of South Africa (RISA), indicating shipments of 200,000 units.[82] "If" won Best Pop Single andSong of the Year atThe Headies 2018.[83] Reviewing forOkayAfrica, Sabo Kpade described the song as a "slow burner" with an "unfussy beat that sounds hollowed out and isn't cluttered with instruments".[80] The music video for "If" was recorded in London; it was directed by Director Q and produced by Tunde Babalola.[84] Davido teamed up with menswear designer Orange Culture to release acapsule collection inspired by "If".[85]
Davido released "Fall", which includes a sample ofKojo Funds's track "Dun Talking",[86] on June 2, 2017.[87] RISA certified "Fall" platinum;[82] the song was one of the 100-most-Shazam-searched singles in America in January 2019, and was a top-10 record on Shazam in New York.[88] In February 2019, it became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song inBillboard history.[89] "Fall" was ranked at number 163 onPitchfork's list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s.[90] Nigerian-born British video directorDaps directed the music video for "Fall",[91] which in November 2023 exceeded 274 million views, becoming the most-viewed video by a Nigerian artist on YouTube.[92]
On November 10, 2017, Davido released "Fia",[93] which was produced by Fresh VDM and described as a neo-highlife track.[94][95] In its second verse, Davido addresses his arrest andCaroline Danjuma's role in fueling a rumor he was involved in the death of Tagbo Umenike.[95] A writer forNative magazine praised Davido's songwriting and said "Fia" "manages to reflect some of his recent personal struggles, without directly dishing into sensitive details".[95] Reviewing for Music in Africa, Kayode Faniyi said "Fia" offers an "existential conflict" and that it is "undoubtedly the song of Davido's career—at least till he outdoes himself".[96] Daniel Orubo of Konbini Channels described "Fia" as a "coherent" track that uses Davido's "croaky voice".[97] "Fia" was nominated for Best Pop Single and Song of the Year at The Headies 2018.[83]Clarence Peters the song's accompanying music video.[97] TheStefflon Don-assisted remix of "Fia" was released on March 30, 2018.[98] The remix retains many elements from the original recording but incorporates apatois-tinged flow.[99] Davido wonBest African Act and was one of theBest Worldwide Act recipients at the2017 MTV Europe Music Awards.[100][101][102] Davido released "Assurance" on April 30, 2018; he dedicated the track to his girlfriend and released it to coincide with her 23rd birthday.[103] Reviewing forNative magazine, Toye Sokunbi said the song "speaks volumes for the importance of clarity in the age of emojis, validation from our loved ones and putting love first, against all odds".[104] Davido won Best International Act at the2018 BET Awards, becoming the first African artist to receive his award on the main stage.[105] In his acceptance speech, he urged patrons and American artists to visit Africa and eat the food.[106]
Davido performing at the Lagos city Marathon gala 2020
In January 2019, Davido sold outThe O2 Arena in London, becoming the first solo African artist to do so after Wizkid in 2018.[109][13][110] He was introduced on stage byIdris Elba and performed several of his hit singles with the backing bandThe Compozers.[110] Writing forThe Guardian Caroline Sullivan gave the concert four stars out of five, calling Davido an "alpha" and saying; "many of his mannerisms are influenced by the American rappers with whom he has worked, including Young Thug and Swae Lee".[111]
TheChris Brown-assisted track "Blow My Mind" was released on July 26, 2019.[112] It was produced byShizzi and was initially intended to be released as the album's lead single.[113] The song's music video amassed one million views in 11 hours, exceeding Wizkid's "Fever" and "Come Closer" to become the Nigerian music video to achieve this feat most quickly.[114] It also became the Nigerian music video to gain the most views within the first 24 hours of its release.[114] "Risky" was released on October 23, 2019.[115][116] It features guest vocals from Jamaican singerPopcaan, who asked Davido to appear on his 2018 single "Dun Rich".[116] The music video for "Risky" was directed by Meji Alabi and pays homage to the crime-drama television seriesTop Boy.[116] In the video, a female member of Davido's and Popcaan's crew informs upon them to police.[116]
Davido's second studio albumA Good Time was released on November 22, 2019;[117] it includes the previously released singles "If", "Fall", "Assurance", "Blow My Mind" and "Risky".[117] Davido recordedA Good Time in Atlanta;[118] he toldVibe magazine he wanted to record in a new environment.[119] Davido described the album as a body of work for everybody and said it would predominantly consist of Afrobeats but would incorporate elements of other genres.[119] Davido announced the album's title during an event held in Lagos in September 2019 and said it would be released the following month.[120] He also unveiled excerpts of four songs from the album during the event.[120] In July 2020,A Good Time surpassed 1 billion streams across various digital platforms.[121]
2020–2022:A Better Time and social media fundraising
In May 2020, Davido was featured alongsideMr Eazi andTiwa Savage inBillboard magazine's cover story titled "Africa Now".[122][123] The interview was conducted over avideo conference call; the artists addressed several topics, including life under quarantine and afrobeats as a category.[123]
On Twitter, Davido announced plans to release his third studio albumA Better Time. He said he had recorded 11 tracks for the album and announced the record would feature "Tiwa Savage" and that he and everyone who worked on the album assembled the tracks in 14 days.[124] In July 2020, Davido appeared onTonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform a medley of his songs "D&G" and "Fall" from the albumA Good Time.[125] On August 28, 2020, theGrammy Museum announced Davido as a special guest in its Mentorship Monday series. He participated in the museum's Instagram Live event, which was held three days later.[126][127] On September 10, 2020, he released the Dammy Twitch-produced single "FEM", along with its music video.[128]
A Better Time was released on November 13, 2020.[129] It includes guest appearances fromLil Baby, Nicki Minaj, Nas, Chris Brown, andYoung Thug, among others.[130] Davido recorded the album after canceling his 2019 North American tour as a result of the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic.[131] On November 17, 2021, Davido asked his colleagues and fans to send him one millionnaira, and said those who did not send him money should no longer associate with him.[132][133] He raised 200 million naira and added 50 million naira of his money, all of which he donated to orphanage homes in Nigeria.[134][135]
In June 2022, Davido toldRolling Stone magazine his fourth studio albumTimeless was nearly complete.[139] On March 21, 2023, he announced on Instagram the album would be released on March 31.[140] A theatrical trailer composed of tour footage accompanied the announcement.[141]Timeless was Davido's first album in three years.[142] He toldCNN the album's title, which record producerDon Jazzy suggested to him, is a manifestation of his goal for the album to be remembered for decades as a classic.[143][144] He also told the news channel the album went through three phases before its final version.[143] The 17-track album includes collaborations withSkepta,Angelique Kidjo,Asake,Focalistic,The Cavemen and others.[145] Its production was handled byMagicsticks, Rage, Darmie,Blaisebeatz,1da Banton, Caltonic SA, Young Alpha and others.[146] Primarily anamapiano record,Timeless explores musical styles such asdancehall,ragga, konto,highlife andAfropop.[147] The album's cover art features an image of Davido's head, two enclosed elephants, and a pathway that leads to a largehourglass.[146] The second single from the album "Unavailable" gained traction and charted across theUnited Kingdom,Switzerland,Netherlands andSuriname, where it reached the top 5.[148] On August 18, 2023, Davido released the remix of "Unavailable", which includes a verse by American rapperLatto.[149]
Davido received three nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, includingBest Global Music Album forTimeless andBest African Music Performance for "Unavailable".[150] In 2023,Chris Brown featured Davido andLojay on his single "Sensational", which was released as the second single from his eleventh studio album11:11. The song debuted at number 96 on the USBillboard Hot 100, serving as Davido and Lojay's first entry on the chart.[151] In January 2024, Davido received three nominations at the55th NAACP Image Awards.[152] In April 2024, Davido established his record company, Nine+ Records, in collaboration with UnitedMasters.[153] In December 2024, he toldRolling Stone magazine that his fifth studio album,5ive, would be released in March 2025. He also announced "Funds", which features rapperOdumodublvck and singerChike, as the album's second single. The song samplesBrenda Fassie's 1997 single "Vuli Ndlela".[154]
Davido attributes his passion for music to his mother, and grew up listening to rappersJa Rule and50 Cent.[155] According toFlaunt magazine, his artistry spans the divide between Afrobeats,hip hop andR&B.[155] In an interview withNuméro, Davido said he was a member of a hip-hop ensemble before switching to R&B and then Afrobeats.[156] According toThe New York Times writer Jon Pareles, Davido's music has focused on whimsical subjects like romance, ambition, and optimistic thinking.[157] Despite being criticized for having a "hazy and husky voice",Emmanuel Daraloye commended Davido's vocal performance onTimeless.[158][159] In particular, Daraloye gave him credit for going "toe-to-toe" withFave on "Kante" and contributing a "laid-back lower register" on the song "For the Road".[159]
On April 6, 2012,Nigerian Entertainment Today reported Davido had signed a₦30 million endorsement deal withMTN. Under the deal, Davido became the face of MTN Pulse, a marketing campaign aimed at Nigerian youth.[160] On October 24, 2013,Pulse Nigeria reported thatGuinness Nigeria had signed Davido for an endorsement deal.[161] As part of the deal, he performed at the Guinness World of More Concert alongside artists includingP-Square,D'banj,Wizkid,Ice Prince,Burna Boy,Olamide,Phyno,Chidinma,Waje andTiwa Savage.[162]
In May 2018, Davido signed an endorsement deal withInfinix Mobile, a Hong Kong-based smartphone manufacturer.[163] In May 2021, he became an official brand ambassador for the sports-betting brand1xBet.[164][165] In October 2021, the cognac brandMartell announced him as its new ambassador.[166] In December 2021, Davido signed a long-term agreement with footwear manufacturerPuma and became a global brand ambassador for the company.[8]
Davido has fathered six children; three girls and three boys (one of whom is now deceased).[167][168]
On October 31, 2022,Peoples Gazette newspaper reported the death of Davido's oldest son and third child David Ifeanyi Adeleke Jr., who drowned in a swimming pool at his father'sBanana Island residence; he was three years old at the time of his death.[169] Police questioned members of Davido's household staff.[170] Eight domestic workers were invited to the police station for questioning after one had reported the drowning accident to the police station. Following the police investigation, six workers were released and two remained in detention.[171]
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