Davido Biography
David Adedeji Adeleke OON, better known by his stage name Davido, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer who was born in the United States on November 21, 1992. Davido, a well-known Nigerian artist noted for his contributions to African music, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States and reared in Lagos, Nigeria. He is referred to as the “001 of Afrobeats” because of his impactful songs and distinctive style, which have contributed significantly to the development of the African music scene. As a member of the ensemble KB International, he made his musical debut.
Davido attended Oakwood University to pursue a degree in business administration but left to produce beats and record vocal samples. In 2012, he released “Dami Duro,” the second single from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo, from which six other singles—”Back When,” “Ekuro,” “Overseas,” “All of You,” “Gbon Gbon,” and “Feel Alright”—were taken. This is when he first gained widespread attention. Davido got the Next Rated honor at The Headies in 2012. He recorded the hit singles “Gobe,” “One of a Kind,” “Skelewu,” “Aye,” “Tchelete (Goodlife”),” “Naughty,” “Owo Ni Koko,” “The Sound,” and “The Money” between 2013 and 2015.
A few months after announcing on Twitter in January 2016 that he had signed a record deal with Sony Music, Davido established the record company Davido Music Worldwide, to which the artists Dremo, Yonda, and Peruzzi are presently signed. With the help of the singles “Gbagbe Oshi,” “How Long,” and “Coolest Kid in Africa,” Davido released the five-track Extended Play (EP) Son of Mercy in October of the same year he got a record deal with Sony’s RCA Records. Due to problems with creative autonomy, Davido renegotiated his contract with Sony in April 2017. Later that year, he released five songs, including “If” and “Fall”.[4] While “Fall” became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history, “If” sparked global social media engagement.
A Good Time, Davido’s second studio album, was released in November 2019. It was preceded by the singles “If,” “Fall,” “Assurance,” “Blow My Mind,” and “Risky.”
Davido was selected as one of the 100 most influential Africans by the New African magazine in 2019. On November 13, 2020, his third studio album A Better Time was made available, and in February 2021, he was listed as one of Time magazine’s Time 100 Next. On March 31, 2023, Davido released Timeless, his fourth studio album. He is a well-known advocate for human rights in Africa and a cultural ambassador for Nigeria.[8] He is also among the most popular African artists on Twitter and Instagram.
Davido Early Life and career
1992–2012: Early life, education and Omo Baba Olowo
On November 21, 1992, David Adedeji Adeleke was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. His mother Vero Adeleke was a university lecturer, while his father Adedeji Adeleke is a Nigerian business entrepreneur. Davido is the third child born to his father and the youngest of five children. He attended the British International School in Lagos and, at the age of 16, came back to the United States to attend Oakwood University in Alabama to study business administration.
During his time at Oakwood, Davido purchased musical instruments and began producing beats. With his cousins B-Red and Sina Rambo, he also founded the musical group KB International. Davido relocated to London to improve on his vocals after quitting Oakwood University to devote himself to music full-time. Davido put his music career on hold after moving back to Nigeria in 2011 and consented to enroll at Babcock University in memory of his father. He earned a degree in music from Babcock University in July 2015 after his father paid the school to establish a music department for an inaugural class of just one student.
Afrobeats and hip hop are combined on Davido’s debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo, which he began creating in 2011. The album was produced by Davido in collaboration with Jay Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Theory Soundz, and Shizzi. Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince, and 2 Face Idibia all make cameos on Omo Baba Olowo. Music critics gave it mainly unfavorable reviews and criticized Davido’s songwriting and the lyrical themes. The album was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and won Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2013.
The album’s debut song, “Back When,” featuring Naeto C, was made available on May 7, 2011. Davido produced it in London, and it was played on the radio frequently. On May 9, 2011, Clarence Peters posted the “Back When” music video to YouTube. The second single off the album, “Dami Duro,” was created by Davido and Shizzi and dropped on October 30, 2011. Davido claimed he recorded the song in August of that year in an interview that was published on the NotJustOk website. Three months after he emailed the song to some of his buddies, it was leaked. On January 8, 2012, during the Occupy Nigeria demonstrations, the corresponding music video for “Dami Duro” was made available.
“Ekuro,” the third single from the album, was made available on January 25, 2012. Antwan Smith recorded and helmed its music video in Miami. Aramide, a Nigerian artist, released a soulful rendition of the song. On May 6, 2012, the fourth single from the album, “Overseas,” was made available; however, an unfinished version of the song had already been leaked. As the sixth single from the album, the GospelOnDeBeatz-produced song “All of You” was made available.
single on September 28, 2012; according to Davido, GospelOnDeBeatz, whom he met at a mall, helped him record the song.
2013–2016: Standalone releases, The Baddest and Son of Mercy
Davido released the Shizzi-produced song “Gobe” on February 25, 2013.On Premium Times’ choice of the top 10 songs of 2013, it came in at number two. Charles Mgbolu wrote that the song “exudes fun from start to finish” in a review for the Vanguard newspaper. Godfather Productions shot the music video for the song in South Africa. On May 13, 2013, Davido tweeted that “One of a Kind” would be released. Shizzl produced the tune as well. The song’s music video, which Tebza of Godfather Productions recorded and directed in South Africa, shows a united, musically and culturally rich Africa.
Release day for “Skelewu” was August 13, 2013.On Premium Times’ choice of the top 10 songs of 2013, it came in at number five. In order to promote “Skelewu,” Davido uploaded a dance tutorial video to YouTube on August 18, 2013, along with the news of a “Skelewu” dance competition. Two music videos were produced to support “Skelewu”; the first, which was directed by Sesan and debuted on October 15, 2013, was the first. With the use of a spoof account, it was posted to YouTube. Davido claimed that someone misled him by releasing the video soon after it was made public and that he would produce another film with UK-based music video director Moe Musa.
Davido and his management came under fire from Sesan for making false remarks. The official music video for “Skelewu” was created by Moa Musa in London and debuted there in October 2013.
Davido released the T-Spize-produced song “Aye” on February 1st, 2014. The song’s music video, which Clarence Peters directed, was made available on February 7, 2014. Davido plays a lowly farmer in the video who develops feelings for a prince’s fiance. On April 30, 2014, Davido and the South African band Mafikizolo dropped their joint track, “Tchelete (Goodlife).” Oskido and Shizzi produced it, and MTN’s Play and Callertunez platforms provided distribution. Mafikizolo and Davido connected at the MTN Nigeria Elite Night event in December 2013. Twenty Twenty Media both produced and directed the song’s music video.[59] In the video, Oskido and Uhuru made cameo cameos.
“Africa Rising,” a song that Davido co-wrote in June 2014 alongside Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Sarkodie, Diamond Platnumz, and Tiwa Savage, served as the centerpiece of DStv’s self-titled campaign to support social investment initiatives. Callback Dreams, a South African production company, produced and directed the song’s music video. The song was played by the musicians at the Mauritius Africa Rising launch event. The trap single “Fans Mi” by Davido, featuring Meek Mill, was released in June 2015. He teased fans with the video’s audio and behind-the-scenes photos before to its release.
The Baddest by Davido was supposed to be released in June 2015, but it wasn’t until October 10 of that year. The release was once more put off two days before this time due to interest in distribution from an unidentified company. Earlier that year, Davido had made the album’s track lineup and cover art public. Shizzi, Del B, Spellz, J Fem, Don Jazzy, Puffy Tee, Uhuru, Kiddominant, and Young John were all set to contribute to The Baddest, according to plans. Additionally, guest musicians like P-Square, Don Jazzy, Runtown, Uhuru, DJ Buckz, Akon, Meek Mill, Wale, and Trey Songz were scheduled to be included.
Davido revealed on Twitter in January 2016 that he had secured a record deal with Sony Music. His revelation elicited a range of responses. To confirm the agreement, the record label released a press release. Davido had a contract with Sony that gave him the right to keep the rights to his music and performances while also requiring him to put out two albums.
Davido established the music publishing company Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) a few months after signing with Sony. The label currently has Dremo, Mayorkun, Yonda, and Peruzzi on its roster. Davido and RCA Records agreed to a record deal in July 2016. Plans for the release of The Baddest were altered by his record deal with Sony Music. According to Pulse Nigeria, Davido’s contract with Sony stipulated that the album had to be marketable internationally in order for it to be distributed internationall. His five-track EP Son of Mercy, which features guest appearances from Simi, Tinashe, and Nasty C, was released in October 2016. It was accompanied by the singles “Coolest Kid in Africa,” “How Long,” and “Gbagbe Oshi.”
2017–2018: “If”, “Fall”, “Fia” and “Assurance”
At the 2017 MOBO Awards, Davido was named the Best African Act. On February 17, 2017, he dropped the song “If,” which Tekno produced and ghost-wrote for Davido. The Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) awarded the song a diamond certification, denoting shipments of 200,000 copies. At The Headies 2018, “If” won Best Pop Single and Song of the Year.[81] Sabo Kpade characterized the song as a “slow burner” with a “unfussy beat that sounds hollowed out and isn’t cluttered with instruments” in a review for OkayAfrica. The “If” music video was shot in London under the direction of Director Q and was created by Tunde Babalola. Davido and menswear designer Orange Culture collaborated to create a capsule collection with “If” as their inspiration.
On June 2, 2017, Davido released “Fall,” which features a snippet of “Dun Talking” by Kojo Funds.”Fall” was one of the top 100 Shazam-searched singles in America in January 2019, according to RISA, and it was a top-10 record in New York. It was the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history as of February 2019. On Pitchfork’s list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s, “Fall” came in at number 163. The music video for “Fall”, which Daps, a British director of Nigerian descent, directed, garnered more than 100 million views on YouTube by December 2018 and became the most-watched video by a Nigerian artist.
Davido released “Fia”, a neo-highlife track that was produced by Fresh VDM, on November 10th. In the song’s second stanza, Davido discusses his imprisonment and Caroline Danjuma’s part in spreading a story that he was responsible for Tagbo Umenike’s passing.[93] The song “Fia” “manages to reflect some of his recent personal struggles, without directly dishing into sensitive details,” according to a Native magazine writer who lauded Davido’s music. According to Kayode Faniyi’s review for Music in Africa, “Fia” presents a “existential conflict” and is unquestionably the career-defining song for Davido, at least until he surpasses himself.
“Fia” has been characterized as a “coherent” track that makes use of Davido’s “croaky voice” by Daniel Orubo of Konbini Channels. At The Headies 2018, “Fia” received nominations for Best Pop Single and Song of the Year. Clarence Peters the music video that goes with the song. On March 30, 2018, the remix of “Fia” featuring Stefflon Don was made available. The remix features a patois-tinged flow while retaining many aspects of the original track. At the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards, Davido took up the Best African Act and one of the Best Worldwide Act awards.
On April 30, 2018, Davido dropped the song “Assurance” in time for his girlfriend’s 23rd birthday. He gave the song to her as a birthday present. Toye Sokunbi wrote a review of the song for Native magazine, noting that it “speaks volumes for the importance of clarity in the age of emojis, validation from our loved ones, and putting love first, against all odds.” At the 2018 BET Awards, Davido won Best International Act, making history as the first African musician to accept an award on the main stage. He advised American artists and patrons to travel to Africa and enjoy the cuisine in his acceptance speech.
2018 saw Davido perform twice at Boston’s House of Blues as part of his “The Locked Up Tour”, which began in August and ended in September. After this tour, he appeared with Meek Mill, Post Malone, and Fat Joe at the Made in America Festival in September.
2019: O2 Arena concert, “Blow My Mind”, “Risky”, and A Good Time
After Wizkid in 2018, Davido was the first solo African musician to sell out London’s O2 Arena in January 2019. Idris Elba welcomed him to the stage, and he performed a number of his hit singles with The Compozers as his backup band. Using the terms “alpha” and “many of his mannerisms are influenced by the American rappers with whom he has worked, including Young Thug and Swae Lee,” Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian scored the concert four stars out of five.
On July 26, 2019, the Chris Brown-assisted song “Blow My Mind” was made available. It was created by Shizzi and was previously going to be the main single from the album. The song’s music video garnered one million views in just 11 hours, outpacing Wizkid’s “Fever” and “Come Closer” to become the fastest-growing Nigerian music video. Within the first 24 hours of its release, it also became the Nigerian music video with the most views. On October 23, 2019, the song “Risky” was released.
Popcaan, a Jamaican musician, contributed vocals as a guest. Popcaan asked Davido to appear on his song “Dun Rich” from last year. Meji Alabi, who also directed the “Risky” music video, pays homage to the crime thriller Top Boy in the clip. A female member of Davido and Popcaan’s team alerts the police about them in the video.
On November 22, 2019, Davido released his second studio album, A Good Time, which features the previously released singles “If,” “Fall,” “Assurance,” “Blow My Mind,” and “Risky”. Davido made A Good Time in Atlanta; according to an interview with Vibe magazine, he wanted to record in a different setting. Davido claimed the album will mostly be made up of Afrobeats but would also include aspects from other genres. He defined it as a body of work for everyone. At a gathering in Lagos in September 2019, Davido revealed the album’s title and promised its release the following month. During the occasion, he also debuted four album song excerpts. A Good Time achieved 1 billion streams on different digital platforms in July 2020.
Davido was included in the “Africa Now” cover story of Billboard magazine, which appeared in May 2020, along with Mr. Eazi and Tiwa Savage. The performers talked on a variety of subjects during the video conference call interview, including life in quarantine and the genre of afrobeats.
Davido revealed his third studio album, A Better Time, would be released on Twitter. He said that Tiwa Savage would be on the album, and he stated he had already recorded 11 songs for it. He claimed that he and everyone else involved in making the album put the songs together in just 14 days. In July 2020, Davido performed a medley of his songs “D&G” and “Fall” from the album A Good Time on Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The Grammy Museum named Davido as a special guest in its Mentorship Monday series on August 28, 2020. Three days later, he took part in the museum’s Instagram Live gathering.
He made the Dammy Twitch-produced track “FEM” and its music video available on September 10, 2020. The music video for “FEM” broke Davido’s own record for the fastest-to-million-view Nigerian music video on YouTube set by his song “Blow My Mind” with 1.8 million views in less than 24 hours. “FEM” replaced Wizkid’s “Ginger” at the top of the Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 list in its second week of eligibility.
The publication date of A Better Time is November 13, 2020. Among others, Lil Baby, Nas, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, and Young Thug make cameos on it.[128] After postponing his 2019 North American tour due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, Davido recorded the album.[129] On November 17, 2021, Davido pleaded with his supporters and friends to donate him one million naira, telling them to stop hanging out with him. He collected 200 million naira, added 50 million naira of his own funds, and gave all of it to Nigerian orphanages.
Alongside American vocalist Trinidad Cardona and Qatari singer Aisha, Davido appeared on the song “Hayya Hayya (Better Together)” in March 2022. First released in 2022, the song was included on the compilation album FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack. As his first solo release of the year, Davido dropped the Pheelz-produced song “Stand Strong” in May 2022. It features vocals from the Sunday Service Choir. Davido announced his inaugural Are We African Yet (A.W.A.Y.) music festival in September 2022. It took place on November 18, 2022, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, and featured performances by Kizz Daniel, Pheelz, Lojay, and BNXN.
2023: Timeless
Davido informed Rolling Stone magazine in June 2022 that his fourth studio album, Timeless, was almost finished. He confirmed the album’s release date on Instagram on March 21, 2023. The announcement was followed by a theatrical video made up of tour footage. Davido’s first album in three years was titled Timeless. According to him, the title of the album—which record producer Don Jazzy suggested—is an expression of his desire for it to be regarded as a classic for many years to come.
Additionally, he revealed to the news outlet that the record underwent three revisions before its release. Collaborations with Skepta, Angelique Kidjo, Asake, Focalistic, The Cavemen, and others are featured on the 17-track album. Magicsticks, Rage, Darmie, Blaisebeatz, 1da Banton, Caltonic SA, Young Alpha, and others were involved in its production. Timeless, mostly an amapiano album, experiments with musical genres such dancehall, ragga, konto, highlife, and Afropop. Davido’s head, two encased elephants, and a trail leading to a huge hourglass are all depicted on the album’s cover. The song “Unavailable” by Davido, one of his biggest hits, is well-known throughout the world.
Davido Other ventures
Nigerian Entertainment Today stated on April 6, 2012, that Davido had agreed to a $30 million endorsement agreement with MTN. As part of the agreement, Davido was named the face of MTN Pulse, a marketing initiative for young people in Nigeria. On October 24, 2013, Pulse Nigeria revealed that Davido has inked an endorsement contract with Guinness Nigeria. He also shared the stage with P-Square, D’banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Chidinma, Waje, and Tiwa Savage at the Guinness World of More Concert as part of the agreement.
Davido and Hong Kong-based smartphone manufacturer Infinix Mobile inked an endorsement agreement in May 2018. He was named the official brand ambassador for the sports betting company 1xBet in May 2021. He was named the new ambassador for Martell Cognac in October 2021. Davido became a global brand ambassador for the footwear maker Puma after signing a long-term contract with it in December 2021.
Davido Personal life
Davido is the father of two girls and two boys. In March 2023, he declared his engagement to Chioma Rowland. Four baby mothers.
David Ifeanyi Adeleke Jr., Davido’s oldest son and third child, drowned in a swimming pool at his father’s Banana Island home on October 31, 2022, according to the Peoples Gazette newspaper. He was three years old at the time of his death. Members of Davido’s domestic workers were questioned by police. After one of the domestic workers reported the drowning tragedy to the police, the other eight were invited to the station for questioning. Six employees were discharged and two were kept in custody after the police probe.
Davido HKN
Davido and his older brother Adewale Adeleke co-founded HKN Music. Many performers today are domestic to the report label. Additionally, he has worked with other artists, including Skales, Tiwa Savage, Naeto C, and many more bigger acts.
Davido Music Worldwide (DMW)
In 2016, Davido introduced his record company, Davido Music Worldwide. Soon after joining Sony Music, he launched it. Below the label imprint, several renowned musicians signed contracts. Teli, Peruzzi, Mayorkun, Dremo, and other names are among them.
Davido Net worth
Over the course of his more than ten years in the business, Davido has made a fortune through sponsorship deals, music performances, and the organization of his events. He has investments in successful businesses all over the world and is also an entrepreneur.
Davido is thought to be worth $30 million.
Davido Endorsement
Nigerian Entertainment Today reported on April 6, 2012, that Davido has inked a $30 million endorsement deal with MTN. The agreement made him the face of the MTN Pulse advertising campaign, which targets teenagers in Nigeria.
On October 24, 2013, Pulse Nigeria reported that Davido had been signed by Guinness Nigeria for an endorsement contract.
In accordance with the agreement, Davido performed at an additional concert with P-Square, D’banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Chidinma, Waje, and Tiwa Savage.
On May 9, 2018, Guardian Life reported that Davido had inked an endorsement deal with Hong Kong-based phone manufacturer Infinix Phone.
Davido Philanthropist
The Adeleke Foundation (DAF) is a charitable organization owned by philanthropist Davido Adeleke.
Davido Social Media
On Instagram, Davido has the second-most followers among Africans. On the platform, he has more than 21.5 million followers.
Davido is accessible on the following social networks:
Twitter: @Davido
@Davidoofficial on Twitter
Davido Songs & Albums
Some Davido tracks and albums are listed below.
- Fall
- Assurance
- If
- A Good Time (Album)
- A Better Time (Album)
- Fem
- Jowo
- 1 Milli
- Dami Duro
- Son Of Mercy (2016)
- Omo Baba Olowo (2012)
- Timeless (Album)
What is the history of Davido?
Davido is the third-born child of his father and the youngest of five children. He attended the British International School in Lagos before moving back to the United States at the age of 16 to enroll at Oakwood University in Alabama to study business administration. During his time at Oakwood, Davido purchased musical instruments and began producing beats.
What course did Davido study in Babcock University?
Davido earns a music-related Bachelor of Arts Second Class Upper degree. The gifted musician submitted a thesis on the subject of “Challenges of Live Performance of Afro-pop artists in Nigeria” to fulfill one of the primary requirements for finishing his study.
What state is Davido from?
Davido, who was born David Adedeji Adeleke in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1992, developed a passion for music while studying at Oakwood University in his late teens. He then began creating his own beats and researching music production.
Which university did Davido attend?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria owns and runs Babcock University, a private, coeducational Christian university in Nigeria. The institution is situated in the Nigerian state of Ogun, halfway between Ibadan and Lagos, near Ilishan-Remo.
How much FIFA paid Davido?
Davido claims that his earnings from his participation at the FIFA World Cup Final Draw today exceeded one million dollars.
