Davido biography
David Adedeji Adeleke known as Davido was Born on November 21, 1992, he is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer who holds American citizenship. While he was born in Atlanta, U.S., Davido spent his formative years in Lagos. He kickstarted his music career as part of the music group KB International before abandoning his studies in business administration at Oakwood University to focus on producing beats and recording vocal references.
- Full Name : David Adedeji Adeleke ( also known as Davido)
- Date of Birth : November 21, 1992
- Place of Birth : Atlanta, Georgia ,US
- Occupation : Musician
- Spouse : Chioma Avril Rowland
- Net Worth : $50 Million
Davido Biography
Davido shot to fame after the release of “Dami Duro,” which was the second single from his debut studio album, “Omo Baba Olowo” (2012). The album spawned six more hit singles, including “Back When,” “Ekuro,” “Overseas,” “All of You,” “Gbon Gbon,” and “Feel Alright.” In 2012, he won the Next Rated award at The Headies, a popular Nigerian music awards ceremony.
From 2013 to 2015, Davido continued to dominate the music scene with a string of chart-topping singles. These included “Gobe,” “One of a Kind,” “Skelewu,” “Aye,” “Tchelete (Goodlife),” “Naughty,” “Owo Ni Koko,” “The Sound,” and “The Money.”
In January 2016, Davido took to Twitter to reveal that he had inked a record deal with Sony Music. Shortly after, he founded his own record label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). The label has signed on several talented artists, including Dremo, Mayorkun, Yonda, and Peruzzi, among others.
In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with Sony’s RCA Records, further solidifying his status as a globally recognized artist. He followed up with the release of his 5-track EP, “Son of Mercy,” in October of the same year. The EP was supported by hit singles such as “Gbagbe Oshi,” “How Long,” and “Coolest Kid in Africa.”
In 2017, Davido continued to dominate the music scene with the release of five more hit singles, including the wildly popular “If” and “Fall.” “If” generated a massive buzz on social media platforms, while “Fall” made history as the longest-charting Nigerian pop song on the Billboard charts.
Davido released his highly anticipated second studio album, “A Good Time,” in November 2019. The album featured previously released hit singles such as “If,” “Fall,” “Assurance,” “Blow My Mind,” and “Risky.” The album was a commercial success and further cemented Davido’s position as one of the leading voices in African music.
In 2020, he released his third studio album, “A Better Time,” which featured collaborations with artists such as Lil Baby, Nas, and Tiwa Savage. The album received critical acclaim and recognition .
In 2021, Davido has continued to maintain his success in the music industry. He started the year off with the release of his hit single “Jowo,” which has become one of the most popular songs of the year. The song has received widespread acclaim for its catchy melody and relatable lyrics.
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Early Life and Music Career
Born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, David Adedeji Adeleke is the youngest of five siblings and the second-born son of his father Adedeji Adeleke, a business magnate, and his mother Vero Adeleke, a former university lecturer at Babcock University.
Davido attended the British International School in Lagos before moving to Alabama, US at the age of 16 to study business administration at Oakwood University. While at Oakwood, he purchased musical equipment and began producing beats. He also joined the music group KB International, which included his cousins B-Red and Shina Rambo.
After deciding to pursue his music career full-time, Davido dropped out of Oakwood University and moved to London to focus on his vocals. He later returned to Nigeria in 2011 and put his music career on hold to attend Babcock University, fulfilling a promise he made to his father. In 2015, he graduated from Babcock with a degree in music, becoming the first student in the inaugural class of the music department, which his father helped establish by making a donation to the university.
2011-2012: Omo Baba Olowo
In 2011, Davido began working on his debut studio album, Omo Baba Olowo. The album comprises a blend of Afrobeats and hip-hop music. Davido collaborated with several producers including Jay Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Theory Soundz, and Shizzi to create the album.
Omo Baba Olowo includes guest appearances from Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince, and 2 Face Idibia. Despite receiving generally negative reviews from music critics, who criticized the album’s lyrics and Davido’s songwriting, it won the Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2013 and was nominated for Album of the Year. It was also a nominee for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
On May 7, 2011, Davido released the lead single of his debut album, “Back When,” featuring Naeto C. The self-produced track became a hit and received significant airplay. In an interview with television channel Factory 78, Davido revealed that he recorded “Back When” in London. The music video for the song, directed by Clarence Peters, was uploaded to YouTube on May 9, 2011.
The album’s second single, “Dami Duro,” was jointly produced by Davido and Shizzi and was released on October 30, 2011. In an interview with NotJustOk website, Davido disclosed that he recorded the song in August of that year, but it was leaked three months later. The accompanying music video for “Dami Duro” was released on January 8, 2012, during the Occupy Nigeria protests.
The third single from the album, titled “Ekuro,” came out on January 25, 2012. The music video for the song was directed and recorded in Miami by Antwan Smith. Nigerian singer Aramide later released a soulful rendition of the track. On May 6, 2012, the album’s fourth single “Overseas” was released, although an unfinished version of the song had been leaked prior to its official release.
The album’s fifth single, “All of You,” produced by GospelOnDeBeatz, was released on September 28, 2012. In an interview with Factory 78 TV, Davido said he recorded the song with GospelOnDeBeatz after meeting him at a mall.
2013-2016: The Badest And Son Of Mercy
On February 25, 2013, Davido dropped the Shizzi-produced track “Gobe,” which was named second on Premium Times’ list of the Top 10 songs of 2013. The music video for “Gobe” was shot in South Africa by Godfather Productions. Davido then took to Twitter to announce the release of “One of a Kind” on May 13, 2013, also produced by Shizzi. The music video for “One of a Kind” was recorded and directed in South Africa by Tebza of Godfather Productions, showcasing a united Africa rich in culture and music.
On August 13, 2013, Davido released “Skelewu”, which was later ranked fifth on Premium Times’ list of the top 10 songs of 2013. He promoted the song on August 18, 2013, by uploading an instructional dance video directed by Jassy Generation to YouTube. The release of the video was accompanied by an announcement of a “Skelewu” dance competition.
Davido released two music videos to support his hit single “Skelewu.” The first music video was directed by Sesan and released on October 15, 2013. However, it was uploaded to YouTube using a parody account, which Davido claimed was a betrayal.
He then announced that he would make another video with Moe Musa, a UK-based music video director. In response, Sesan released a statement denying any wrongdoing and stating that Davido was satisfied with his contributions to the video.
He also criticized Davido’s management for releasing inaccurate statements that could damage his reputation. The official music video for “Skelewu” was later recorded and directed in London by Moe Musa, and released in October 2013.
On February 1, 2014, Davido dropped “Aye,” which was produced by T-Spize. The music video for the song, directed by Clarence Peters, was released on February 7, 2014. The video depicts Davido as a poor farmer who falls in love with a woman who is engaged to a prince. Davido also collaborated with South African duo Mafikizolo on the single “Tchelete (Goodlife)”, which was released on April 30, 2014.
The song, produced by Oskido and Shizzi, was distributed on MTN’s Play and Callertunez platforms. Before recording “Tchelete (Goodlife)”, Davido met Mafikizolo at MTN Nigeria’s Elite Night event in December 2013. The music video for “Tchelete (Goodlife)” was directed by Twenty Twenty Media and featured cameo appearances by Oskido and Uhuru.
Davido teamed up with Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Sarkodie, Diamond Platnumz, and Tiwa Savage in June 2014 for the song “Africa Rising”. It was used for DStv’s campaign of the same name to inspire Africans to engage in community-based social investment projects. The music video for the song was recorded and directed by South African production house Callback Dreams. The artists performed “Africa Rising” at the launch ceremony in Mauritius.
In June 2015, Davido released the trap song “Fans Mi”, featuring Meek Mill. He teased fans by sharing the audio and behind-the-scenes photos of the video prior to its official release.
Davido’s album, The Baddest, originally planned for release in June 2015, was later postponed to October 10 of the same year. However, two days before the scheduled release date, it was delayed again due to an unnamed corporation’s interest in distributing it.
The album’s cover art and tracklisting had been released earlier, and it was set to feature production from a variety of producers, including Shizzi, Del B, Spellz, J Fem, Don Jazzy, Puffy Tee, Uhuru, Kiddominant, and Young John. The album was also set 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 that he had signed a record deal with Sony Music, a move that elicited mixed reactions from his fans. Sony Music later released a press statement confirming the deal, which requires Davido to release two albums while retaining the rights to his music and performances.
Davido established his own record label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), a few months after signing with Sony. The label currently has Dremo, Mayorkun, Yonda, and Peruzzi signed to it. In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with RCA Records, which changed the release plan for The Baddest. According to Pulse Nigeria, Davido’s agreement with Sony required the album to have international appeal to enable its global distribution.
Consequently, in October 2016, he released the 5-track EP, Son of Mercy, which was supported by singles such as “Gbagbe Oshi,” “How Long,” and “Coolest Kid in Africa.” The EP also features guest appearances from Simi, Tinashe, and Nasty C.
2017-2018: If”, “Fall”, “Fia” and “Assurance”
In February 2017, Davido won the Best African Act award at the MOBO Awards. The same month, he released “If,” a song produced by Tekno, who also ghost-wrote the track. The Recording Industry of South Africa certified the song as diamond for having shipped 200,000 units.
At The Headies 2018, “If” won Song of the Year and Best Pop Single. Sabo Kpade, writing for OkayAfrica, 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 shot in London and directed by Director Q, with Tunde Babalola producing it. Davido also collaborated with menswear designer Orange Culture to release a capsule collection inspired by “If.”
On June 2, 2017, Davido released “Fall”, a track that samples a line from Kojo Funds’s song “Dun Talking”. The Recording Industry of South Africa certified the song platinum, while in January 2019, it was one of the top-100-most-Shazam-searched singles in America, and a top-10 record on Shazam in New York.
In February 2019, “Fall” became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history. Pitchfork included “Fall” at number 163 on its list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s. The music video for “Fall” was directed by Nigerian-born British video director Daps. In December 2018, the video reached over 100 million views, making it the most-viewed video by a Nigerian artist on YouTube.
On November 10, 2017, Davido released “Fia,” a neo-highlife track produced by Fresh VDM. The song addresses his arrest and Caroline Danjuma’s role in fueling the rumor that he was involved in the death of Tagbo Umenike in its second verse. Despite not delving into sensitive details, a writer for Native magazine praised Davido’s songwriting and said the song reflected some of his recent personal struggles. According to Kayode Faniyi, a reviewer for Music in Africa, “Fia” presents an existential conflict and is Davido’s career-defining song.
Daniel Orubo of Konbini Channels described “Fia” as a coherent track that uses Davido’s croaky voice. The song was nominated for Best Pop Single and Song of the Year at The Headies 2018, and its music video, directed by Clarence Peters, was well-received.
On March 30, 2018, the Stefflon Don-assisted remix of “Fia” was released, which retained many of the original recording’s elements but incorporated a patois-tinged flow. At the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards, Davido won Best African Act and was one of the Best Worldwide Act recipients.
2019: O2 Arena concert, “Blow My Mind”, “Risky” and A Good Time
Davido made history in January 2019 when he became the first solo African artist to sell out The O2 Arena in London. Actor Idris Elba introduced him on stage, and he performed some of his hit singles with the support of The Compozers. Other artists who took the stage that night include Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Idowest, Dremo, Yonda, Tomi Agape, and Zlatan. According to Caroline Sullivan, who reviewed the show for The Guardian, Davido was an “alpha,” and his mannerisms are heavily influenced by American rappers such as Young Thug and Swae Lee.
Despite claims from critics that he did not sell out the concert, Davido shared a screenshot of an e-mail exchange between his management and the arena’s customer care team, which confirmed that the event was indeed sold out.
On July 26, 2019, Davido released “Blow My Mind,” a track featuring Chris Brown and produced by Shizzi. The song, which was initially intended to be the lead single for his album, is about a girl who blows Davido’s mind simply.
The accompanying music video, directed by Edgar Esteves, features Davido and Chris Brown spending quality time in a motel with their lovers. Within 11 hours of its release, the video surpassed Wizkid’s “Fever” and “Come Closer” to become the Nigerian music video with the most views.
It also set the record for the most views gained by a Nigerian music video within the first 24 hours of its release. “Risky,” released on October 23, 2019, features Jamaican singer Popcaan, who had asked Davido to appear on his 2018 single “Dun Rich.” The Meji Alabi-directed music video for “Risky” pays homage to the crime drama television series Top Boy and depicts a female member of Davido’s and Popcaan’s crew informing on them to the police.
On November 22, 2019, Davido released his second studio album, titled A Good Time. The album includes his previously released hit singles, such as “If,” “Fall,” “Assurance,” “Blow My Mind,” and “Risky.” A Good Time was recorded in Atlanta, as Davido wanted to explore a new environment for his music. The album is a blend of Afrobeats and other genres, making it accessible to a wide range of listeners.
During an event in Lagos in September 2019, Davido unveiled the album’s title and played snippets of four songs from the album. He also announced collaborations with Summer Walker, Gunna, A Boogie, and Chris Brown. Nigerian producers produced all but one of the tracks on A Good Time. The album cover features Davido, his father, and a sculpture of his mother. Davido stated in an interview with Vibe magazine that A Good Time is a body of work for everyone to enjoy.
2020-2021: Fem”, “Jowo” And A Better Time
In April 2020, Davido released the song “Dolce & Gabbana” featuring Summer Walker, which received positive reviews from critics and fans. The song was followed by the release of “Fem” in September 2020, which became an instant hit and received widespread acclaim. The song also sparked a social media trend, with the phrase “Fem” (meaning “shut up” in Nigerian slang) becoming a popular meme.
In November 2020, Davido released his third studio album, “A Better Time”. The album featured collaborations with international artists such as Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, and Chris Brown, as well as Nigerian stars like Tiwa Savage and Mayorkun. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans, with many praising Davido for his versatility and ability to blend different genres of music.
In December 2020, Davido was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine, a notable achievement for the Nigerian artist.
In 2021, Davido continued to release hit songs, including “Jowo” and “La La” featuring Ckay, which were well received by fans and critics alike. He also collaborated with other Nigerian artists such as Focalistic, Ayra Starr, and Blaqbonez.
Personal Life
Davido’s personal life has been a subject of media scrutiny. He has been in several publicized relationships, including with the mother of his first child, Sophie Momodu, who is the cousin of Nigerian journalist Dele Momodu. In 2015, he was involved in a custody battle with Momodu and her family over their daughter, which made headlines in Nigeria. Davido later apologized to Dele Momodu over the incident.
In 2017, Davido began dating Chioma Rowland, a Nigerian chef and entrepreneur. The couple made headlines when Davido gifted Chioma a Porsche car for her birthday in 2018. They have a son together, named Ifeanyi Adeleke, who was born in 2019. In September 2021 but sadly they lost him on the 31st of October 2022, it was reported that Davido was married to Chioma.
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Endorsement
Davido’s endorsement deals have been a significant part of his career. On April 6, 2012, he signed a lucrative ₦30 million endorsement deal with MTN, which made him the face of MTN Pulse, a marketing campaign targeting Nigerian youth. Pulse Nigeria reported on October 24, 2013, that Davido had signed another endorsement deal, this time with Guinness Nigeria. As part of the agreement, he performed at the Guinness World of More Concert alongside other notable artists such as P-Square, D’banj, Wizkid, and Burna Boy.
In May 2018, Guardian Life reported that Davido had signed an endorsement deal with Infinix Mobile, a Hong Kong-based smartphone manufacturer. The deal included Davido appearing in Infinix’s multimedia campaigns and featuring in its events across Nigeria. Davido’s endorsement deals have not only provided him with substantial financial rewards but have also helped to expand his brand and visibility.
Awards And Nomination
Davido has received a total of 65 nominations and won 29 awards in various categories and ceremonies. Some of the awards and accolades he has won include the Ghana Music Awards, The Headies, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Channel O Music Awards, City People Awards, Dynamix All Youth Awards, Nigeria Music Video Awards, 4Stye Tv Music Awards, Kora Awards, World Music Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, BET Awards, Africa Muzik Magazine Awards, MOBO Awards, Soul Train Awards, The Future Africa Awards, and MTV Europe Music Awards.
Discography
Studio albums
- 2020: A Better Time
- 2020: Best of Davido
- 2019: A Good Time
- 2016:Son of Mercy
- 2015:The Baddest
- 2012: Omo Baba Olowo
Singles (partial)
Back When (featuring Naeto C) (2011)
Dami Duro
Ekuro
Overseas (featuring Sina Rambo)
Gbon Gbon (2012)
All of You
Feel Alright (featuring Ice Prince)
One of a Kind (2013)
Gobe
Skelewu
Aye (2014)
Tchelete (Goodlife) (featuring Mafikizolo)
Owo Ni Koko (2015)
The Sound (featuring Uhuru and DJ Buckz)
The Money (featuring Olamide)
Gbagbe Oshi (2016)
How Long (featuring Tinashe)
Coolest Kid in Africa (featuring Nasty C)
If (2017)
Fall
Pere (featuring Rae Sremmurd and Young Thug)
Fia
Like Dat
Flora My Flawa (2018)
Assurance
Nwa Baby
Wonder Woma
Blow My Mind (featuring Chris Brown) (2019)
Risky (featuring Popcaan)
Omo Baba Olowo (2012)
Son of Mercy (2016)
A Good Time (2019)
Singles (partial)
Back When (featuring Naeto C) (2011)
Dami Duro
Ekuro
Overseas (featuring Sina Rambo)
Gbon Gbon (2012)
All of You
Feel Alright (featuring Ice Prince)
One of a Kind (2013)
Gobe
Skelewu
Aye (2014)
Tchelete (Goodlife) (featuring Mafikizolo)
Owo Ni Koko (2015)
The Sound (featuring Uhuru and DJ Buckz)
The Money (featuring Olamide)
Gbagbe Oshi (2016)
How Long (featuring Tinashe)
Coolest Kid in Africa (featuring Nasty C)
If (2017)
Fall
Pere (featuring Rae Sremmurd and Young Thug)
Fia
Like Dat
Flora My Flawa (2018)
Assurance
Nwa Baby
Wonder Woma
Blow My Mind (featuring Chris Brown) (2019)
Risky (featuring Popcaan)
Fem (2020)
So Crazy (feat. Lil Baby)
Jowo
Something Fishy
Heaven
The Best (feat. Mayorkun)
Very Special
Tanana (feat. Tiwa Savage)
Sunlight
On My Way (feat. Sauti Sol)
La La (feat. Ckay) (2021)
I Got A Friend (feat. Mayorkun & Sho Madjozi)
Shopping Spree (feat. Chris Brown & Young Thug)
Holy Ground (feat. Nicki Minaj)
Birthday Cake (feat. Hit-Boy & Nas)
Fade (feat. Bella Shmurda)
Champion Sound (feat. Focalistic)
Carry Go (feat. Chris Brown & Young Thug)
Sweet In The Middle (Remix) [feat. Nicki Minaj & Nas]
Ke Star (Remix) [feat. Focalistic & Vigro Deep]
Whine Ya Waist (feat. Focalistic) (2022)
Ko Le Re Body (feat. KDDO)
Bom Bom (feat. Wizkid)
Gbedu (feat. 1Da Banton)
Gidi Gidi (feat. DJ Xclusive)
On My Mind (feat. Cheque)
Oh My Gawd (Remix) [feat. Mr Eazi & Major Lazer]
Davido Social Media Handles
Instagram: @davidoofficial
Twitter: @davido
