Davido
David Adedeji Adeleke OON (born November 21, 1992), known professionally as Davido, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer.[2][3][4] He is regarded as one of the most important Afrobeats artists of the 21st century, and is credited alongside Burna Boy and Wizkid for popularizing the genre globally.[5][6]
Davido was born in Atlanta, United States, 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 (2012), 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 hit singles "Gobe", "One of a Kind", "Skelewu", "Aye", "Tchelete (Goodlife)", "Naughty", "Owo Ni Koko", "The Sound" and "The Money".
In January 2016, Davido announced on Twitter he had signed a record deal with Sony Music and a few months later, he founded the record label Davido Music Worldwide, to which acts Dremo, Yonda and Peruzzi 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 (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".[7] "If" generated worldwide social-media activity while "Fall" became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history.[7][8] Davido released his second studio album A Good Time in November 2019; it 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.[9] His third studio album A Better Time was released on November 13, 2020, and in February 2021, he appeared on Time magazine's Time 100 Next List.[10] Davido released Timeless, his fourth studio album, on March 31, 2023. He is a cultural ambassador for Nigeria and a prominent voice of human rights in Africa.[11] He is also one of the most-followed African artists on Instagram and Twitter.[12][13]
In November 2023, Davido received three nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for "Unavailable", "Feel" and his album Timeless.[14] In January 2024, Davido received three nominations at the 55th NAACP Image Awards.[15]
Career[edit]
Early career[edit]
in 2011, 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.[23][24] 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,[25] and for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[26]
The Naeto C-assisted track "Back When" was released as the album's lead single on May 7, 2011. It was produced in London[27] by Davido and received frequent airplay.[28][29][30] The Clarence Peters-directed music video for "Back When" was uploaded to YouTube on May 9, 2011.[31] Davido and Shizzi produced the album's second single "Dami Duro", which was released on October 30, 2011.[32][33] 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.[34] The accompanying music video for "Dami Duro" was released on January 8, 2012, during the Occupy Nigeria protests.[35]
The album's third single "Ekuro" was released on January 25, 2012. Its music video was recorded and directed in Miami by Antwan Smith.[36] Nigerian singer Aramide released a soulful cover of the song.[37] 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.[38][39] 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.[40]
Other ventures[edit]
On April 6, 2012, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported Davido had signed a ₦30 million endorsement deal with MTN. Under the deal, davido became the face of MTN Pulse, a marketing campaign aimed at Nigerian youth.[157] On October 24, 2013, Pulse Nigeria reported Guinness Nigeria had signed Davido for an endorsement deal.[158] As part of the deal, he performed at the Guinness World of More Concert alongside artists including P-Square, D'banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Chidinma, Waje and Tiwa Savage.[159]
In May 2018, Davido signed an endorsement deal with Infinix Mobile, a Hong Kong-based smartphone manufacturer.[160] In May 2021, he became an official brand ambassador for the sports-betting brand 1xBet.[161][162] In October 2021, the cognac brand Martell announced him as its new ambassador.[163] In December 2021, Davido signed a long-term agreement with footwear manufacturer Puma and became a global brand ambassador for the company.[11]
Personal life[edit]
Davido has six children; three boys (one of whom is now deceased), and three girls.[164][165] He confirmed his marriage to his partner Chioma Rowland in March 2023.[166]
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's Banana Island residence; he was three years old at the time of his death.[167] Police questioned members of Davido's household staff.[168] 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.[169]