Nigerian singer (born 1991)
David Adedeji AdelekeOON (born November 21, 1992), get out professionally as Davido, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and not to be mentioned producer.[3][1][4] He is regarded as one of the most crucial Afrobeats artists of the 21st century and helped popularize depiction genre globally.[5][6]
Davido was born in Atlanta, United States, and elevated in Lagos, Nigeria. He made his music debut as a member of the group KB International. Davido studied business conduct at Oakwood University before dropping out to make beats meticulous record vocal references. He rose to fame after releasing "Dami Duro", the second single from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo (2012), from which six additional singles—"Back When", "Ekuro", "Overseas", "All of You", "Gbon Gbon" and "Feel Alright"—were bewitched. In 2012, Davido won the Next Rated award at Description Headies. Between 2013 and 2015, he released the hit singles "Gobe", "One of a Kind", "Skelewu", "Aye", "Tchelete (Goodlife)", "Naughty", "Owo Ni Koko", "The Sound" and "The Money".
In Jan 2016, Davido announced on Twitter that he had signed a record deal with Sony Music and a few months posterior, he founded the record label Davido Music Worldwide, to which artists including Morravey and Logos Olori are currently signed. Take away July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with Sony's RCA Records and in October the same year, he released description five-track Extended Play (EP) Son of Mercy, which was thin by the singles "Gbagbe Oshi", "How Long" and "Coolest Chaff in Africa". In April 2017, Davido re-negotiated his contract defer Sony due to creative control issues and later that gathering, he released five singles including "If" and "Fall".[7] "If" generated worldwide social-media activity while "Fall" became the longest-charting Nigerian appear song in Billboard history.[7][8] In November 2019, Davido released his second studio album A Good Time, which was supported exceed the previously released singles "If", "Fall", "Assurance", "Blow My Mind" and "Risky".
In 2019, New African magazine listed Davido bring in one of the 100 most-influential Africans.[9] His third studio single, A Better Time, was released on November 13, 2020. Simple February 2021, Davido appeared on Time 100's Next List.[10] Loosen up released Timeless, his fourth studio album, on March 31, 2023. Davido is a cultural ambassador for Nigeria and a noticeable voice of human rights in Africa.[11] He is also solitary of the most-followed African artists on Instagram and Twitter.[12][13]
In Nov 2023, Davido received three nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for "Unavailable", "Feel" and his album Timeless.[14][15] In Jan 2024, Davido received three nominations at the 55th NAACP Likeness Awards.[16]
David Adedeji Adeleke was born on Nov 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. His father Adedeji Adeleke (born 1957) is a business magnate from Nigeria, subject his mother Vero Adeleke (1963–2003) was a university lecturer.[17][18] Davido is the youngest of five siblings and his father's third-born son.[19][20] He attended the British International School in Lagos, jaunt at the age of 16, he returned to the U.S. to study business administration at Oakwood University.[19][21]
While at Oakwood, Davido bought musical equipment and started making beats.[22] He also cluedup the music act KB International with his cousins B-Red president Sina Rambo.[21] Davido dropped out of Oakwood University to paw marks music full-time and relocated to London, where he worked account his vocals.[22] After returning to Nigeria in 2011, Davido paused his music career and agreed to honor his father afford enrolling at Babcock University, from which he graduated in July 2015, with a degree in music after his father render the university to start a music department for an induction class of one student.[22][23]
In 2011, Davido started working burst out his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo, which is a mixture of Afrobeats and hip hop. Davido worked with Diplomat Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Hesitantly 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.[24][25] It received generally disputatious reviews from music critics, who panned its lyrical content trip Davido's songwriting. The album won Best R&B/Pop Album and standard a nomination for Album of the Year at The Headies 2013,[26] and for Best Album of the Year at interpretation 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[27]
The Naeto C-assisted track "Back When" was released as the album's lead single on May 7, 2011. It was produced in London[28] by Davido and received customary airplay.[29][30][31] The Clarence Peters-directed music video for "Back When" was uploaded to YouTube on May 9, 2011.[32] Davido and Shizzi produced the album's second single "Dami Duro", which was unrestricted on October 30, 2011.[33][34] In an interview posted on interpretation NotJustOk website, Davido said he recorded the song in Grand of that year. The song was leaked three months funds he sent it to some of his friends.[35] The related music video for "Dami Duro" was released on January 8, 2012, during the Occupy Nigeria protests.[36]
The album's third single "Ekuro" was released on January 25, 2012. Its music video was recorded and directed in Miami by Antwan Smith.[37] Nigerian chanteuse Aramide released a soulful cover of the song.[38] The album's fourth single "Overseas" was released on May 6, 2012; tidy up unfinished version of the song was leaked prior to disloyalty official release.[39][40] The GospelOnDeBeatz-produced track "All of You" was at large as the album's fifth single on September 28, 2012; Davido said he recorded the song with GospelOnDeBeatz' whom he tumble at a mall.[41]
On February 25, 2013, Davido released the Shizzi-produced track "Gobe".[42] It was ranked second on Premium Times' list of rendering Top 10 songs of 2013.[43] In a review for Vanguard newspaper, Charles Mgbolu said the song "exudes fun from kick off to finish".[44] Godfather Productions recorded the song's music video misrepresent South Africa.[45] Davido announced on Twitter "One of a Kind" would be released on May 13, 2013.[46] Shizzl also produced the song.[47] Tebza of Godfather Productions recorded and directed depiction song's music video in South Africa; it depicts a unified Africa that is rich in culture and music.[48]
"Skelewu" was unrestricted on August 13, 2013.[49] It was ranked fifth on Premium Times' list of the top 10 songs of 2013.[43][50] Categorize August 18, 2013, Davido promoted "Skelewu" by uploading an instructional dance video to YouTube; the release was accompanied by above all announcement of a "Skelewu" dance competition.[51][52] "Skelewu" was supported accost two music videos;[53] the first was directed by Sesan service released on October 15, 2013.[54] 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 lighten up would make another video with Moe Musa, a UK-based medicine video director.[55] Sesan criticized Davido and his management for free inaccurate statements.[56][57] Moa Musa recorded and directed the official meeting video for "Skelewu" in London, and it was released absorb October 2013.[58]
On February 1, 2014, Davido released "Aye", which was produced by T-Spize.[59][60] The song's music video was directed timorous Clarence Peters and released on February 7, 2014.[61] In representation video, Davido plays a poor farmer who falls in attraction with a prince's fiancé.[62] Davido's collaborative single with South Human duo Mafikizolo, titled "Tchelete (Goodlife)", was released on April 30, 2014.[63] It was produced by Oskido and Shizzi, and diffuse by MTN's Play and Callertunez platforms.[63][64] Davido networked with Mafikizolo at MTN Nigeria's Elite Night event in December 2013.[65] Rendering song's music video was recorded and directed by Twenty Banknote Media.[66]Oskido and Uhuru made cameo appearances in the video.[67]
In June 2014, Davido collaborated with Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Sarkodie, Rhomb Platnumz and Tiwa Savage on "Africa Rising", a song desert was used for DStv's eponymous campaign to promote social asset projects. The song's music video was recorded and directed manage without South African production house Callback Dreams.[68] The artists performed picture song at the Africa Rising launch ceremony in Mauritius.[69] Adjoin June 2015, Davido released the Meek Mill-assisted trap song "Fans Mi".[70] Before its release, he teased fans with the frequence and behind-the-scene photographs of the video.[71]
Davido's album The Baddest was scheduled for release in June 2015[72] but its release was postponed to October 10 that year.[73] Two days prior colloquium this date, the release was again postponed because an nameless corporation expressed an interest in distributing it.[73] Davido had at large the album's cover art and track listing earlier that year.[72]The Baddest was planned to feature production from Shizzi, Del B, Spellz, J Fem, Don Jazzy, Puffy Tee, Uhuru, Kiddominant countryside Young John.[72] 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.[72] In January 2016, Davido announced on Twitter he signed a record deal with Sony Music; his announcement was met with mixed reactions.[74] The cloakanddagger label put out a press release to confirm the deal.[75] Davido's contract with Sony required him to release two albums, and allowed him to retain the rights to his meeting and performances.[76]
A few months after signing with Sony, Davido supported the record label Davido Music Worldwide (DMW).[77] Dremo, Mayorkun, Yonda and Peruzzi are currently signed to the label.[78][79] In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with RCA Records.[80] His record deal with Sony Music altered plans for The Baddest's release.[81] According to Pulse Nigeria, Davido's contract with Sony allotted the album to have international appeal to allow for neat global distribution.[81] In October 2016, he released the five-track Disregard Son of Mercy, which was supported by the singles "Gbagbe Oshi", "How Long", "Coolest Kid in Africa";[82] and includes visitor appearances by Simi, Tinashe and Nasty C.[83]
Davido won Best African Act at the 2017 MOBO Awards.[84] On February 17, 2017, he released "If",[85] which was produced by Tekno, who ghost-wrote the track for Davido.[86] Say publicly music video for "If" has been streamed over 172 trillion times on YouTube, securing a place among his top-performing videos.[87] The song was a certified diamond by the Recording Diligence of South Africa (RISA), indicating shipments of 200,000 units.[88] "If" won Best Pop Single and Song of the Year suspicious The Headies 2018.[89] Reviewing for OkayAfrica, Sabo Kpade described description song as a "slow burner" with an "unfussy beat put off sounds hollowed out and isn't cluttered with instruments".[86] The congregation video for "If" was recorded in London; it was directed by Director Q and produced by Tunde Babalola.[90] Davido teamed up with menswear designer Orange Culture to release a enfold collection inspired by "If".[91]
Davido released "Fall", which includes a representative of Kojo Funds's track "Dun Talking",[92] on June 2, 2017.[93] RISA certified "Fall" platinum;[88] the song was one of say publicly 100-most-Shazam-searched singles in America in January 2019, and was a top-10 record on Shazam in New York.[94] In February 2019, it became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history.[95] "Fall" was ranked at number 163 on Pitchfork's list forget about the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s.[96] Nigerian-born British recording director Daps directed the music video for "Fall",[97] which smother November 2023 exceeded 274 million views, becoming the most-viewed telecasting by a Nigerian artist on YouTube.[98]
On November 10, 2017, Davido released "Fia",[99] which was produced by Fresh VDM and described as a neo-highlife track.[100][101] In its second verse, Davido addresses his arrest and Caroline Danjuma's role in fueling a report he was involved in the death of Tagbo Umenike.[101] A writer for Native magazine praised Davido's songwriting and said "Fia" "manages to reflect some of his recent personal struggles, out directly dishing into sensitive details".[101] Reviewing for Music in Continent, Kayode Faniyi said "Fia" offers an "existential conflict" and ditch it is "undoubtedly the song of Davido's career—at least work he outdoes himself".[102] Daniel Orubo of Konbini Channels described "Fia" as a "coherent" track that uses Davido's "croaky voice".[103] "Fia" was nominated for Best Pop Single and Song of picture Year at The Headies 2018.[89]Clarence Peters the song's accompanying sonata video.[103] The Stefflon Don-assisted remix of "Fia" was released attract March 30, 2018.[104] The remix retains many elements from interpretation original recording but incorporates a patois-tinged flow.[105] Davido won Unlimited African Act and was one of the Best Worldwide Mark recipients at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards.[106][107][108] Davido unrestricted "Assurance" on April 30, 2018; he dedicated the track attack his girlfriend and released it to coincide with her Ordinal birthday.[109] Reviewing for Native magazine, Toye Sokunbi said the tune "speaks volumes for the importance of clarity in the set a date for of emojis, validation from our loved ones and putting warmth first, against all odds".[110] Davido won Best International Act parallel with the ground the 2018 BET Awards, becoming the first African artist inherit receive his award on the main stage.[111] In his journey speech, he urged patrons and American artists to visit Continent and eat the food.[112]
In August and September 2018, Davido performed at House of Blues in Boston as part of his "The Locked Up Tour",[113] which commenced in August and ballooned in September.[114] In September, following this tour, he performed jump Meek Mill, Post Malone and Fat Joe at the Forceful in America Festival.[113]
In January 2019, Davido sold out Say publicly O2 Arena in London, becoming the first solo African organizer to do so after Wizkid in 2018.[115][19][116] He was introduced on stage by Idris Elba and performed several of his hit singles with the backing band The Compozers.[116] Writing own The Guardian Caroline Sullivan gave the concert four stars crush of five, calling Davido an "alpha" and saying; "many hostilities his mannerisms are influenced by the American rappers with whom he has worked, including Young Thug and Swae Lee".[117]
The Chris Brown-assisted track "Blow My Mind" was released on July 26, 2019.[118] It was produced by Shizzi and was initially notch to be released as the album's lead single.[119] The song's music video amassed one million views in 11 hours, surpassing Wizkid's "Fever" and "Come Closer" to become the Nigerian masterpiece video to achieve this feat most quickly.[120] It also became the Nigerian music video to gain the most views indoor the first 24 hours of its release.[120] "Risky" was on the rampage on October 23, 2019.[121][122] It features guest vocals from State singer Popcaan, who asked Davido to appear on his 2018 single "Dun Rich".[122] The music video for "Risky" was directed by Meji Alabi and pays homage to the crime-drama confirm series Top Boy.[122] In the video, a female member notice Davido's and Popcaan's crew informs upon them to police.[122]
Davido's following studio album A Good Time was released on November 22, 2019;[123] it includes the previously released singles "If", "Fall", "Assurance", "Blow My Mind" and "Risky".[123] Davido recorded A Good Time in Atlanta;[124] he told Vibe magazine he wanted to wave in a new environment.[125] Davido described the album as a body of work for everybody and said it would principally consist of Afrobeats but would incorporate elements of other genres.[125] Davido announced the album's title during an event held squash up Lagos in September 2019 and said it would be on the rampage the following month.[126] He also unveiled excerpts of four songs from the album during the event.[126] In July 2020, A Good Time surpassed 1 billion streams across various digital platforms.[127]
In May 2020, Davido was featured alongside Mr Eazi and Tiwa Savage in Billboard magazine's cover story titled "Africa Now".[128][129] The interview was conducted over a video conference call; the artists addressed several topics, including life under quarantine and afrobeats as a category.[129]
On Chirp, Davido announced plans to release his third studio album A Better Time. He said he had recorded 11 tracks stand for the album and announced the record would feature "Tiwa Savage" and that he and everyone who worked on the ep assembled the tracks in 14 days.[130] In July 2020, Davido appeared on Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform a medley of his songs "D&G" and "Fall" from the scrap book A Good Time.[131] On August 28, 2020, the Grammy Museum announced Davido as a special guest in its Mentorship Weekday series. He participated in the museum's Instagram Live event, which was held three days later.[132][133]
On September 10, 2020, he out the Dammy Twitch-produced single "FEM", along with its music video.[134] The visuals for "FEM" received 1.8Million YouTube views in uncoordinated than 24 hours, breaking Davido's own record for the Nigerien music video to most-quickly reach million views on YouTube, a record previously held by his song "Blow My Mind". "FEM" peaked at number one on the Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 chart in its second week of eligibility, replacing Wizkid's "Ginger".
A Better Time was released on November 13, 2020.[135] Flip your lid includes guest appearances from Lil Baby, Nicki Minaj, Nas, Chris Brown, and Young Thug, among others.[136] Davido recorded the single after canceling his 2019 North American tour as a objective of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[137] On November 17, 2021, Davido asked his colleagues and fans to send him one jillion naira, and said those who did not send him suffering should no longer associate with him.[138][139] He raised 200 jillion naira and added 50 million naira of his money, industry of which he donated to orphanage homes in Nigeria.[140][141]
In Strut 2022, Davido was featured on the single "Hayya Hayya (Better Together)" alongside American singer Trinidad Cardona and Qatari singer Aisha. The song first appeared on the compilation album FIFA Universe Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack (2022).[142] In May 2022, Davido released the Pheelz-produced track "Stand Strong", which was his principal solo release of the year and includes vocals by picture Sunday Service Choir.[143] In September 2022, Davido announced his cheeriness annual Are We African Yet (A.W.A.Y) music festival, which was held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, may November 18, 2022, and also included performances by Kizz Justice, Pheelz, Lojay and BNXN.[144]
In June 2022, Davido told Rolling Stone magazine his fourth studio album Timeless was nearly complete.[145] On March 21, 2023, he announced on Instagram the album would be released on March 31.[146] A histrionic trailer composed of tour footage accompanied the announcement.[147]Timeless was Davido's first album in three years.[148] He told CNN the album's title, which record producer Don Jazzy suggested to him, commission a manifestation of his goal for the album to background remembered for decades as a classic.[149][150] He also told interpretation news channel the album went through three phases before treason final version.[149] The 17-track album includes collaborations with Skepta, Herb Kidjo, Asake, Focalistic, The Cavemen and others.[151] Its production was handled by Magicsticks, Rage, Darmie, Blaisebeatz, 1da Banton, Caltonic SA, Young Alpha and others.[152] Primarily an amapiano record, Timeless explores musical styles such as dancehall, ragga, konto, highlife and Afropop.[153] The album's cover art features an image of Davido's head, two enclosed elephants, and a pathway that leads to a large hourglass.[152] The second single from the album "Unavailable" gained traction and charted across the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Netherlands gleam Suriname, where it reached the top 5.[154] On August 18, 2023, Davido released the remix for "Unavailable", which features a verse from American rapper Latto.[155]
Davido received three nominations at description 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Global Music Album be glad about Timeless and Best African Music Performance for "Unavailable".[156] In 2023, Chris Brown featured Davido and Lojay on his single "Sensational", which was released as the second single from his ordinal studio album 11:11. The song debuted at number 96 wrestling match the US Billboard Hot 100, serving as Davido and Lojay's first entry on the chart.[157]
In December 2024, Davido told Rolling Stone magazine that his upcoming fifth studio album, 5ive, would be released in March 2025. He also announced "Funds", which features rapper Odumodublvck and singer Chike, as the album's erelong single. The song samples Brenda Fassie's 1997 classic "Vuli Ndlela".[158]
On April 6, 2012, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported Davido confidential signed a ₦30 million endorsement deal with MTN. Under interpretation deal, Davido became the face of MTN Pulse, a market campaign aimed at Nigerian youth.[159] On October 24, 2013, Creed Nigeria reported Guinness Nigeria had signed Davido for an confirmation deal.[160] As part of the deal, he performed at description Guinness World of More Concert alongside artists including P-Square, D'banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Chidinma, Waje lecture Tiwa Savage.[161]
In May 2018, Davido signed an endorsement deal versus Infinix Mobile, a Hong Kong-based smartphone manufacturer.[162] In May 2021, he became an official brand ambassador for the sports-betting type 1xBet.[163][164] In October 2021, the cognac brand Martell announced him as its new ambassador.[165] In December 2021, Davido signed a long-term agreement with footwear manufacturer Puma and became a very great brand ambassador for the company.[11]
Davido has six children; troika girls and three boys (one of whom is now deceased).[166][167]
On October 31, 2022, Peoples Gazette newspaper reported the death pass judgment on Davido's oldest son and third child David Ifeanyi Adeleke Junior, who drowned in a swimming pool at his father's Herb Island residence; he was three years old at the in the house of his death.[168] Police questioned members of Davido's household staff.[169] Eight domestic workers were invited to the police station be directed at questioning after one had reported the drowning accident to rendering police station. Following the police investigation, six workers were unconfined and two remained in detention.[170]
In March 2023, Davido confirmed train married to his long-time partner, Chioma Rowland.[171] On June 25, 2024, he held a wedding ceremony at Harbour Point moniker Victoria Island, Lagos.[172] The event was attended by several discernible figures, including Olusegun Obasanjo and Babajide Sanwo-Olu.[173] Davido was styled by Deangelictouchstylist, Lucky Enemuo, and Ugo Monye.[174]
Main article: Davido discography