Davido
634.9m
Streamed over 2 billion times and handpicked by FIFA to lead their 2022 World Cup Soundtrack collaboration “Hayya Hayya (Better Together)”, American born, Nigerian raised afrobeats icon Davido (born David Adedeji Adeleke) has cemented his position as a global force within the music scene. And the past 12 months capped off another banner year for the platinum artist including his second sold out show at London’s O2 Arena and the release of his third studio album, A Better Time, the critically acclaimed follow up to his 1.2 billion streaming 2019 release, A Good Time.
Starting out releasing singles in a less conventional approach, that would probably leave most labels in doubt, Davido amassed a cult following across Nigeria, and in turn Africa. Despite being young his music was “stuff the older people could like” and so bridged the generational gap of those who enjoyed the classic sounds of Shina Peters but also the new take on Afrobeats. From his debut single Back When to Dami Duro it was not long before Davido struck gold with Skelewu, now boasting to over 50 million streams and views. At the time admittedly “labels were still understanding” the Afrobeats resurgence, but the intrigue of the sound that was quickly spreading worldwide pricked the ears of A&Rs across the globe, and it was not long before Sony Music signed the Nigerian star. Nevertheless, David’s approach remained the same working with his go-to producers Shizzi and Kiddominant, to release enough music across the past 10 years to make “5 albums”.
Retirement not being an option, for a long while, Davido’s mentorship has become something dear to him; in the same way the likes of “D’Banj and 2Face” did for him. Founding his DMW label in 2016, nurturing the talents of Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Dremo and many more.
Starting out releasing singles in a less conventional approach, that would probably leave most labels in doubt, Davido amassed a cult following across Nigeria, and in turn Africa. Despite being young his music was “stuff the older people could like” and so bridged the generational gap of those who enjoyed the classic sounds of Shina Peters but also the new take on Afrobeats. From his debut single Back When to Dami Duro it was not long before Davido struck gold with Skelewu, now boasting to over 50 million streams and views. At the time admittedly “labels were still understanding” the Afrobeats resurgence, but the intrigue of the sound that was quickly spreading worldwide pricked the ears of A&Rs across the globe, and it was not long before Sony Music signed the Nigerian star. Nevertheless, David’s approach remained the same working with his go-to producers Shizzi and Kiddominant, to release enough music across the past 10 years to make “5 albums”.
Retirement not being an option, for a long while, Davido’s mentorship has become something dear to him; in the same way the likes of “D’Banj and 2Face” did for him. Founding his DMW label in 2016, nurturing the talents of Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Dremo and many more.
