Afrobeats megastar, Davido, has become a favorite in the entertainment industry way beyond Nigeria. He is now an African and global phenomenon. He has worked hard to build a music career that far outstrips his wealthy background. And eager music lovers have seen clearly by now that he put his creativity, resources, and connections to optimal use.
Though he has had to contend with personal struggles, but Davido’s numerous wins are nothing short of enviable. The music megastar is now one of the richest Nigerian music artists and brand influencers. And with over 26.9 million Instagram followers, Davido is reportedly the second-most followed African on the social media platform.
About Davido: His Background
He was born and named David Adedeji Adeleke in November 1992 in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The singer comes from a wealthy family; and is the youngest of five children. His father, Adedeji Adeleke is an entrepreneur; while his mother, Vero Adeleke (now late) was a university lecturer.
He was schooled at British International School, Victoria Island, Lagos-Nigeria. From there he proceeded to Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, USA where he studied Business Administration.
Davido chose to invest more of his time in his passion for music. He was able to buy musical equipment, with which he did voice recordings and create beats. However, Davido was so engrossed in his passion that he could neither focus on his studies, nor complete his graduate school in the USA. He returned to Nigeria in 2011, to the great displeasure of his father.
And so, Davido’s father decided to enroll him in Babcock University in Ogun state to study music. Apparently, his father insisted he must complete graduate school, in order to continue his music career. Rumors had it that the Music department of the school was pioneered with Davido as the first-ever student to enroll in the course. It was specifically created for him. Subsequently, Davido reportedly graduated from Babcock University with a first-class degree in July 2015.
Davido’s Journey into Music Fame
Davido is indeed one of the numerous proofs that pursuing your passion pays on the long run. The singer has an interesting and highly danceable way of uniting African lyrics and instrumentation with Western pop music. In 2011, he debuted his music career with the popular single ‘Back When’ featuring Naeto C. From there, he went on to release other singles such as ‘Ekuro’ (2012) and ‘Overseas‘ (2012).
But his big break came when he released the hit single, ‘Dami Duro’ in January 2012. It was soon followed by his debut studio album titled OBO (‘Omo Baba Olowo’) in July 2012, released under the HKN Music record label. He co-founded the HKN Music record label with his elder brother, Adewale Adeleke. The album was a big success. Notable Nigerian artists such as 2Face, Ice Prince, B-Red, Sina Rambo (his cousin) and Naeto C were featured on the album. Additionally, the album went ahead to win won the Best R&B and Pop Album at the 2013 Headies Awards.
Davidos’s success skyrocketed from then henceforth. He has released so many hit singles and albums ever since. For instance, in 2013 he released popular songs namely ‘Gobe’, ‘Skelewu’, and ‘One of a Kind‘. Come 2014, he released the incredibly popular ‘Aye’ and ‘Tchlete’ (featuring Mafikizolo of South Africa). In 2015, Davido released songs namely ‘Dodo’, ‘The Money’ (featuring Olamide), ‘Owonikoko‘, ‘Fans Mi’ (featuring Meek Mill), and ‘The Sound’ (featuring Uhuru and DJ Buckz).
His second album ‘Son of Mercy’ EP was released in October 2016. It featured songs such as ‘All of You’, ‘No Visa’, ‘Mary Jane’, ‘Gbagbe Oshi’, ‘Maga 2 Mugu’ (featuring Simi), ‘Coolest Kid in Africa‘ (featuring Nasty C), ‘Return’, and ‘How Long’ (featuring Tinashe).
In January 2016, Davido signed a record deal with global music label, Sony Music. The deal gave him the opportunity to promote his music prowess and earn collaborations with big music stars on the global platform. Few months after, the singer founded his music label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) Music in 2016. He has popular Nigerian music artists such as Mayorkun, Teli, Yonda, Peruzzi, Danagog, and Dremo signed up on the record label.
And in 2019, Davido went ahead to launch his second music album titled ‘A Good Time’. Yet again in 2020, he released a third album titled ‘A Better Time’. It featured several hit songs and collaborations with international music stars, the likes of Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown. Some of the hit songs on the third album include ‘FEM’, ‘Jowo’, ‘Tanana’, ‘Lala’, and ‘Holy Ground’.
Davido’s latest album of 2023 is titled ‘Unavailable,’ and is already attracting massive attention on social media and music platforms.
Davido’s Numerous Endorsement Deals
There are probably few (if any) other African artistes whose record in brand endorsements beat that of Davido. For the record, Davido has signed the following brand endorsements till date:
- MTN Nigeria worth 30 million Naira (April 2012)
- Guinness Nigeria (October 2013)
- Pepsi (April 2016)
- AXE
- Infinix Mobile
- Travelbeta
- 1xBet
- Martell
- Munch It
Davido: Awards and Achievements
Davido’s songs have broken records both locally and internationally. They include an unprecedented number of streams and views on music platforms like YouTube and Spotify, to the tune of millions. He has also garnered some coveted music awards both home and abroad. They include the following:
- Dynamix All Youth Awards: Promising Youth Artist (2011)
- Dynamix Youth Awards: Song of the Year, ‘Back When’ (2011)
- Kora Awards: Best Newcomer Award (2012)
- The Headies Awards: Best R&B/Pop Album, ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ (2013)
- Ben TV Awards: Music Video of the Year, ‘Aye’ (2014)
- Nigeria Music Video Awards: Best Afro Pop Video, ‘Aye’ (2014)
- BET Awards: Best International Act in Africa (2014, 2018)
- MTV Europe Music Award: Best African Act (2017)
- MOBO Award: Best African Act (2017)
- NAACP Image Award: Outstanding International Song (2021)
- Soul Train Award: Best International Performance (2021)
- African Muzik Magazine Award: Best Male Artist in West Africa (2012, 2014, 2017, 2018)
- MTV Africa Music Award: Best Male Artist (2014, 2015, 2017)
- The Headies Award: Artist of the Year (2014, 2018, 2022)
Davido’s Net Worth (2023)
It is estimated that Davido has a net worth of well over 30 million US Dollars as of 2023. His earnings come from a combination of sources which include his music, his record label (DMW Music), cryptocurrency, as well as real estate investments.
Davido’s Charity Acts
Davido has been a benefactor to scores of Nigerians, including fellow music artists. He is well known for his giveaways and donations to those in need. On one occasion in November 2021, he marked his coming birthday by requesting his friends to donate One Million Naira each. He even threatened to dissociate from those who refused to do so. About 200 million Naira came through to him. He subsequently added 50 million Naira and distributed the entire sum to various orphanage homes across Nigeria.
Davido: His Personal Life
Around October 2022, the news of the death of Davido’s son, Ifeanyi, spread like wildfire across social media. He decided thereafter to tie the knot with his girlfriend of many years, Chioma Rowland (Ifeanyi’s mother). Fortunately, the singer welcomed a set of twins with his wife in the United States around November 2023 (this year). However, he purportedly has another son, and some daughters from other women.
The singer has been linked with several women in a string of sexual relationships, that have brought him under serious criticism. Apparently, he has a weakness for women.
Davido has also been involved in a number of feuds with fellow artists at one time or another. Some of the well-known feuds involved him and Wizkid and Burna Boy on different occasions. Thankfully, he has since settled with each of them amicably.
