Davido
David Adedeji Adeleke, known professionally as Davido, is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Davido was born in Atlanta, U.S, and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He made his music debut as a member of the group KB International. Davido studied business administration at Oakwood University before dropping out to make beats and record vocal references. He rose to fame after releasing "Dami Duro", the second single from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo, from which six additional singles—"Back When", "Ekuro", "Overseas", "All of You", "Gbon Gbon" and "Feel Alright"—were taken. In 2012, Davido won the Next Rated award at The Headies. Between 2013 and 2015, he released the singles "Gobe", "One of a Kind", "Skelewu", "Aye", "Tchelete ", "Naughty", "Owo Ni Koko", "The Sound" and "The Money".
In January 2016, Davido announced on Twitter that he had signed a record deal with Sony Music and a few months later, he founded the record label Davido Music Worldwide, to which artists including Morravey and Logos Olori are currently signed. In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with Sony's RCA Records and in October the same year, he released the five-track Extended Play 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". "If" generated worldwide social-media activity while "Fall" became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history. In November 2019, Davido released his second studio album A 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. His third studio album, A Better Time, was released on November 13, 2020. In February 2021, Davido appeared on Time 100's Next List. He released Timeless, his fourth studio album, on March 31, 2023. Two years later, he released 5ive, his fifth studio album. Davido is a cultural ambassador for Nigeria and a prominent voice of human rights in Africa. He is also one of the most-followed African artists on Instagram and Twitter.
Early life and education
David Adedeji Adeleke was born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. His father Adedeji Adeleke is a business magnate from Nigeria, and his mother Vero Adeleke was a university lecturer. Davido is the youngest of five siblings and his father's third-born son. He attended the British International School in Lagos, and at the age of 16, he returned to the U.S. to study business administration at Oakwood University.While at Oakwood, Davido bought musical equipment and started making beats. He also formed the music act KB International with his cousins B-Red and Sina Rambo. Davido dropped out of Oakwood University to pursue music full-time and relocated to London, where he worked on his vocals. After returning to Nigeria in 2011, Davido paused his music career and agreed to honor his father by enrolling at Babcock 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.
Career
Early career
Davido began his music career professionally in March 2011. From then on, Davido started working on his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo, which is a mixture of Afrobeats and hip hop. Davido worked with Jay Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Theory Soundz and Shizzi to produce the album. Omo Baba Olowo features guest appearances from Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince and 2 Face Idibia. It received generally negative reviews from music critics, who panned its lyrical content and Davido's songwriting. The album won Best R&B/Pop Album and received a nomination for Album of the Year at The Headies 2013, and for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.The Naeto C-assisted track "Back When" was released as the album's lead single on May 7, 2011. It was produced in London by Davido and received frequent airplay. The Clarence Peters-directed music video for "Back When" was uploaded to YouTube on May 9, 2011. Davido and Shizzi produced the album's second single "Dami Duro", which was released on October 30, 2011. In an interview posted on the NotJustOk 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. The accompanying music video for "Dami Duro" was released on January 8, 2012, during the Occupy Nigeria protests.
The album's third single "Ekuro" was released on January 25, 2012. Its music video was recorded and directed in Miami by Antwan Smith. Nigerian singer Aramide released a soulful cover of the song. 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. 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.
2013–2016: Standalone releases, ''The Baddest'' and ''Son of Mercy''
On February 25, 2013, Davido released the Shizzi-produced track "Gobe". It was ranked second on Premium Times list of the Top 10 songs of 2013. In a review for Vanguard newspaper, Charles Mgbolu said the song "exudes fun from start to finish". Godfather Productions recorded the song's music video in South Africa. Davido announced on Twitter "One of a Kind" would be released on May 13, 2013. Shizzl also produced the song. Tebza of Godfather Productions recorded and directed the song's music video in South Africa; it depicts a united Africa that is rich in culture and music."Skelewu" was released on August 13, 2013. It was ranked fifth on Premium Times list of the top 10 songs of 2013. 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. "Skelewu" was supported with two music videos; the first was directed by Sesan and released on October 15, 2013. 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. Sesan criticized Davido and his management for releasing inaccurate statements. Moa Musa recorded and directed the official music video for "Skelewu" in London, and it was released in October 2013.
On February 1, 2014, Davido released "Aye", which was produced by T-Spize. The song's music video was directed by Clarence Peters and released on February 7, 2014. In the video, Davido plays a poor farmer who falls in love with a prince's fiancé. Davido's collaborative single with South African duo Mafikizolo, titled "Tchelete ", was released on April 30, 2014. It was produced by Oskido and Shizzi, and distributed by MTN's Play and Callertunez platforms. Davido networked with Mafikizolo at MTN Nigeria's Elite Night event in December 2013. The song's music video was recorded and directed by Twenty Twenty Media. Oskido and Uhuru made cameo appearances in the video.
In June 2014, Davido collaborated with Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Sarkodie, Diamond Platnumz and Tiwa Savage on "Africa Rising", a song that was used for DStv's eponymous campaign to promote social investment projects. The song's music video was recorded and directed by South African production house Callback Dreams. The artists performed the song at the Africa Rising launch ceremony in Mauritius. In June 2015, Davido released the Meek Mill-assisted trap song "Fans Mi". Before its release, he teased fans with the audio and behind-the-scene photographs of the video.
Davido's album The Baddest was scheduled for release in June 2015 but its release was postponed to October 10 that year. Two days prior to this date, the release was again postponed because an unnamed corporation expressed an interest in distributing it. Davido had released the album's cover art and track listing earlier that year. The Baddest was planned to feature production from Shizzi, Del B, Spellz, J Fem, Don Jazzy, Puffy Tee, Uhuru, Kiddominant and Young John. It was also going to feature guest artists such as P-Square, Don Jazzy, Runtown, Uhuru, DJ Buckz, Akon, Meek Mill, Wale and Trey Songz. In January 2016, Davido announced on Twitter he signed a record deal with Sony Music; his announcement was met with mixed reactions. The record label put out a press release to confirm the deal. Davido's contract with Sony required him to release two albums, and allowed him to retain the rights to his music and performances.
A few months after signing with Sony, Davido founded the record label Davido Music Worldwide. Dremo, Mayorkun, Yonda and Peruzzi are currently signed to the label. In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with RCA Records. His record deal with Sony Music altered plans for The Baddests release. According to Pulse Nigeria, Davido's contract with Sony required the album to have international appeal to allow for its global distribution. In October 2016, he released the five-track EP Son of Mercy, which was supported by the singles "Gbagbe Oshi", "How Long", "Coolest Kid in Africa"; and includes guest appearances by Simi, Tinashe and Nasty C.
2017–2018: "If", "Fall", "Fia" and "Assurance"
Davido won Best African Act at the 2017 MOBO Awards. On February 17, 2017, he released "If", which was produced by Tekno, who ghost-wrote the track for Davido. The music video for "If" has been streamed over 172 million times on YouTube, securing a place among his top-performing videos. The song was a certified diamond by the Recording Industry of South Africa, indicating shipments of 200,000 units. "If" won Best Pop Single and Song of the Year at The Headies 2018. Reviewing for OkayAfrica, Sabo Kpade described the song as a "slow burner" with an "unfussy beat that sounds hollowed out and isn't cluttered with instruments". The music video for "If" was recorded in London; it was directed by Director Q and produced by Tunde Babalola. Davido teamed up with menswear designer Orange Culture to release a capsule collection inspired by "If".Davido released "Fall", which includes a sample of Kojo Funds's track "Dun Talking", on June 2, 2017. RISA certified "Fall" platinum; 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. In February 2019, it became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history. "Fall" was ranked at number 163 on Pitchforks list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s. Nigerian-born British video director Daps directed the music video for "Fall", which in November 2023 exceeded 274 million views, becoming the most-viewed video by a Nigerian artist on YouTube.
On November 10, 2017, Davido released "Fia", which was produced by Fresh VDM and described as a neo-highlife track. In its second verse, Davido addresses his arrest and Caroline Danjuma's role in fueling a rumor he was involved in the death of Tagbo Umenike. A writer for Native magazine praised Davido's songwriting and said "Fia" "manages to reflect some of his recent personal struggles, without directly dishing into sensitive details". 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". Daniel Orubo of Konbini Channels described "Fia" as a "coherent" track that uses Davido's "croaky voice". "Fia" was nominated for Best Pop Single and Song of the Year at The Headies 2018. Clarence Peters the song's accompanying music video. The Stefflon Don-assisted remix of "Fia" was released on March 30, 2018. The remix retains many elements from the original recording but incorporates a patois-tinged flow. Davido won Best African Act and was one of the Best Worldwide Act recipients at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards. Davido released "Assurance" on April 30, 2018; he dedicated the track to his girlfriend and released it to coincide with her 23rd birthday. Reviewing for Native 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". Davido won Best International Act at the 2018 BET Awards, becoming the first African artist to receive his award on the main stage. In his acceptance speech, he urged patrons and American artists to visit Africa and eat the food.
In August and September 2018, Davido performed at House of Blues in Boston as part of his "The Locked Up Tour", which commenced in August and ended in September. In September, following this tour, he performed alongside Meek Mill, Post Malone and Fat Joe at the Made in America Festival.