Davido’s Biography
David Adedeji Adeleke was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 21, 1992. His father, Adedeji Adeleke, is a business entrepreneur, while his mother, Vero Adeleke, taught at a university. Davido is the youngest of five siblings and the second son born to his father.
At age 16, he returned to the United States to pursue business administration at Oakwood University in Alabama, where he had attended the British International School in Lagos.
Music Career
Davido purchased musical equipment at Oakwood and began producing beats. He also formed the music group KB International with his cousins B-Red and Sina Rambo. Davido left Oakwood University to pursue music professionally and moved to London, where he worked on his vocals. After returning to Nigeria in 2011, Davido halted his music career and agreed to enrol in Babcock University to respect his father. In July 2015, he received a bachelor’s degree in music from Babcock University, where his father financed to establish a music department for a single student.
In 2011, Davido began production on his debut studio album, Omo Baba Olowo. The music on this album is a blend of Afrobeats and hip hop. Davido produced the album alongside 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 make cameos on the album Omo Baba Olowo.
It was generally derided by music critics, who criticised both its lyrical content and Davido’s songwriting. The album won Best R&B/Pop Album at the 2013 Headies and was nominated for Album of the Year. During the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, it was also nominated for Best Album of the Year.
“Back Then,” featuring Naeto C, was released as the album’s debut single on May 7, 2011. Davido produced the song, which garnered extensive exposure. Davido informed the television station Factory 78 that “Back Then” was filmed in London. The music video for “Back Then,” directed by Clarence Peters, was published to YouTube on May 9, 2011.
Genre
Afrobeats
Location
Nigeria
Socials
Davido and Shizzi produced the album’s second single, “Dami Duro,” which was released on October 30, 2011. Davido stated in an interview published on the NotJustOk website that the song was recorded in August of that year. Three months after he gave the song to his friends, it was leaked. The accompanying music video for “Dami Duro” was released during the Occupy Nigeria rallies on January 8, 2012.
The third single from the album, “Ekuro,” was released on January 25, 2012. Antwan Smith recorded and directed the music video in Miami. The Nigerian musician Aramide has created a rendition of the song that is soulful. The album’s fourth single, “Overseas,” was released on May 6, 2012; prior to its official release, an incomplete version of the song was leaked. “All of You,” produced by GospelOnDeBeatz, was released as the album’s fifth single on September 28, 2012. Davido told Factory 78 TV that he and GospelOnDeBeatz recorded the song after meeting at a mall.
“Gobe” by Davido, produced by Shizzi, was released on February 25, 2013. It scored second on the list of the top 10 songs of 2013 compiled by Premium Times. Charles Mgbolu wrote in a review for the Vanguard newspaper that the song “oozes joy from beginning to end.” Thereafter he created further hits, including “Skelewu,” “Aye,” and “Fans Mi.”
After signing with Sony, Davido formed the record company Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) a few months later. Currently, Dremo, Mayorkun, Yonda, and Peruzzi are signed to the label. Davido secured a record deal with RCA Records in July 2016. His record deal with Sony Music affected the release schedule for The Baddest. In October 2016, he released the five-track EP Son of Mercy, which featured the singles “Gbagbe Oshi,” “How Long,” and “Coolest Child in Africa.” The EP contains Simi, Tinashe, and Nasty C as special guests.
On August 28, 2020, the Grammy Museum announced Davido as a special guest in its Mentorship Monday series. He participated in the museum’s Instagram Live event, which was held three days later. In March 2022, Davido was featured on the single “Hayya Hayya (Better Together)”, alongside American singer Trinidad Cardona and Qatari singer Aisha. The song first appeared on the compilation album, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack (2022).
Davido has four children: two boys and two girls. He confirmed his marriage to his partner Chioma Rowland in March 2023.
Discography
