Everything you need to know about Davido – Biography, History, Net Worth, Albums And Music Career
Davido, is a Nigerian-American singer, record producer and songwriter. He is unarguably one of the biggest artistes in Africa. He is popularly known as ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ and ‘Baddest’. He has been active in the music industry since 2010 and is loved for his high-energy songs and vocals. He is also a philanthropist and one of the most active celebrities online.
Davido – Biography, History, Net Worth, Albums And Music Career
Birth, early life and education
Davido was born and christened David Adedeji Adeleke on the 21st Of November 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is currently 29 years old. He is the son of business mogul Adedeji Adeleke and Vero Adeleke who was a university lecturer. He is the youngest of five siblings and second son of his father. He attended the British International School, Lagos and moved to Alabama, US at the age of 16. He studied business administration at Oakwood University. He dropped out of Oakwood University to pursue music full time and relocated to London to work on his vocals. He later enrolled in Babcock University after his return to Nigeria in 2011 and graduated in July 2015.
Personal life and family
Davido is the father of three children namely Hailey Veronica Adeleke, Aurora Imade Adeleke and David Adedeji Adeleke jr. He is engaged to Chioma Avril Rowland who is the mother of his son and third child. He opened up in an interview with Bounce Radio live that their highly anticipated wedding will take place in 2021.
Net Worth
Davido is estimated to be worth about 19 million dollars ($19,000,000). His net worth stems majorly from his music and endorsement deals. He signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria worth about 30 million naira on the 6th of April, 2012. In October 2013, he reportedly signed an endorsement deal with Guinness Nigeria. He also signed an endorsement with Infinix Mobile, A Hong-Kong based smartphone manufacturing company on the 9th of May, 2018. He is reportedly the second wealthiest music artiste in the Nigeria music industry.
Career
Davido rose to fame after the release of his debut studio album “Omo Baba Olowo” with the single”Dami duro” in 2012. He won the Next Rated Award at the Headies in the same year(2012). His album also won Best album of the year at the 2013 Headies ceremony. It was also nominated as Best album of the year at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards. In 2013, he released “Gobe” and “skelewu” both songs took top rankings on the premium times list of top 10 songs of 2013. Davido promoted skelewu by uploading an instructional dance video on youtube.
In 2014, He released “Aye” and “Tchelete” which was distributed by MTN ‘s play and caller tune networks. He also collaborated with other artists in the song”Africa Rising” to promote community-based social investment projects. The song was performed by these artists at the Africa Rising launch ceremony. In 2015, He released another album titled “The Baddest”. It featured various artists such as P-Square, Don Jazzy, Runtown, Uhuru, DJ Buckz, Akon, Meek Mill, Wale and Trey Songz and production from Shizzi, Del B, Spellz, J Fem, Don Jazzy, Puffy Tee, Uhuru, Kiddominant and Young John. In 2016, he signed a record deal with Sony Music and RCA Records. He also released a 5-track EP titled”Sons of Mercy” and after a few months, he also founded the DMW record Label to which Mayorkun, Dremo and Perruzi are currently signed to.
Davido released “If” in 2017, it was ghost-wrote and produced by “Tekno”. It was certified diamond and won Best Pop Single and Song of The Year at The Headies.”Fall” was also released in 2017 and certified platinum and was the longest-charting pop song in Billboard history and the most viewed video by a Nigerian artiste on Youtube. Davido released “Fia” which on popular opinion is said to be the song of his career by music critics and later released a Stefflon-Don assisted Remix. In 2018, He released Assurance which was dedicated to his girlfriend, it’s release also coincided with her birthday and it was produced by Speroach Beatz.
In 2019, He sold out the O2 Arena in London, where he performed many of his hit songs with the band “The Compozers”. He also released the Chris Brown assisted track “Blow my mind” and later the song”Risky” which featured Popcaan.
His second studio album”A Good Time” was released on November 2019. It also featured artists including Summer Walker, Gunna, A Boogie and Chris Brown. It’s majorly Afrobeats and Speaking on “A Good Time”, Davido said: It’s been 7 years since I last dropped a complete body of work. A LONG TIME. Since my first album, you’ve been with me and watched me develop, grow. Progress, regress, and progress again. A TURBULENT TIME. Since then I’ve lost too many loved ones. HARD TIMES. But I have also gained 3 beautiful littles ones. A BLESSED TIME. To crown it, I found the love of my life. A BLISSFUL TIME. I’m grateful for all of this. I’m grateful to have been through this journey with all your support. And I’m grateful to be able to share this project which signifies the point of my life I am at right now. What I’m currently having. What you should always make sure you have no matter what you are going through. “A GOOD TIME!!”.
In May 2020, The singer announced the title of his next studio album”A Better Time” which was scheduled to be released in July but later postponed. The album was later released on the 13th November 2020. The album featured various stars such as Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Young thug and others. The artiste describing the album said “This year we’ve been through crazy times. And through it all, we’ve all had to look inwards to find hopes of better times ahead. I found a few. In human and creative form. I’m so glad I can finally share them with you…”
Discography
Studio albums
Omo Baba Olowo (2012)
Son of Mercy (2016)
A Good Time (2019)
A Better Time (2020)
Singles and EPs
2011
“Back When”
“Dami Duro”I
2012
“Ekuro”
“Overseas” (featuring Sina Rambo)
“Gbon Gbon”
“All of You”
“Feel Alright” (featuring Ice Prince)
2013
“One of a Kind
“Gobe”
“Skelewu”
2014
“Aye”
“Tchelete (Goodlife)” (featuring Mafikizolo)
2015
“Dodo”
“Fans Mi” (featuring Meek Mill)
“Owo Ni Koko”
“The Sound” (featuring Uhuru and DJ Buckz)
“The Money” (featuring Olamide)
2016
“Gbagbe Oshi” Son of Mercy
“How Long” (featuring Tinashe)
“Coolest Kid in Africa” (featuring Nasty C)
2017
“If”
“Fall”
“Pere” (featuring Rae Sremmurd and Young Thug)
“Fia”
“Like Dat”
2018
“Flora My Flawa”
“Assurance”
“Nwa Baby”
“Wonder Woman”
2019
“Blow My Mind” (featuring Chris Brown)
“Risky” (featuring Popcaan)
2020
“FEM”
“So Crazy” (featuring Lil Baby)
“Jowo”
“The Best” (featuring Mayorkun)
Controversies
The Jowo crooner has been linked with a lot of controversies and messy dramas.
David Adeleke alias Davido was alleged to be a member of the Black Axe confraternity. On the 5th of September 2018, the Daily Post newspaper carried a story about a suspected Black Axe cult member that was arrested by the Nigerian Police. The young man confessed that he was cajoled into the cult group with promises that he would meet Davido. Davido’s manager, Asa Asika came out and debunked the supposed vicious rumours making the rounds and insisted that Davido was not associated with any cult group. The day, 10th of August 2019, dawnec bright and clear and was filled with the news carried by Information Nigeria. They reported that Davido shared a video on his insta-story. The details in the video showed him reassuring the Aye Cult Group of his loyalty. He was also seen in the video displaying the confraternity’s trademark shouting; “Egede, Aye for life”.
Davido and his baby mama, Sophia Momodu had a clash on social media. The case was due to Sophia’s inability to take care of Davido’s child according to him. It was a nasty one and Sophia had to involve her uncle, Dele Momodu of Ovation. Davido was undeterred however and still continue his tirade. He threw jabs at Dele Momodu, singing “Dele na my boy”. It is uncertain, which Dele he was referring to. However, Dele Momodu and Davido appears to have made up as he performed at the Ovation red carol in December 2017.
Another controversial event happened after Davido was invited by Genius Ginimbi Kadangure to perform in Zimbabwe at the Harare International Conference Centre. There was a fuss as Davido demanded his belt back from the vvip section after he threw it at them. It was evident however that he was struggling with his trousers. Another incident happened after he left the conference centre to the hotel. It was rumoured that he was trying to get Boity Thulo into bed and she reacted which led to a fight and a lot of things got destroyed.
Davido and Burna boy have been at each other’s necks for a while now. They take turns to post inciting comments about each other. It was rumoured that the duo fought dirty in Ghana not too long ago.
Davido also boasted about selling out all tickets for his show at the O2 London. The hall seats 20,000 but Davido was said to have sold only 17,000 tickets. He also came 65 minutes late for the show and was said to have used auto-tune to tweak his voice whilst performing. This led to a social media outrage.
A lady named Ayotomide Labinjo, came out with claims that Davido was the father of her child, Aanuoluwapo. She said she had sex with him on two different occasions which resulted to her pregnancy. After she contacted him, he told her to keep the pregnancy but blocked her on Blackberry messenger the following morning. She demanded that he comes to perform a DNA test on Aanuoluwapo to confirm his paternity.
On the 3rd of October 2017, Tagbo Umeike, who is reported to be Davido’s friend died. That day was Davido’s birthday and Tagbo was rumoured to have taken 30 shots of Tequila. This was as a result of a bet placed by Davido. Tagbo Umeike won the bet and took the prize of an iPhone 8 and N200, 000. The situation unfortunately led to his death.
Awards, nominations and accolades
MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in the year 2017.
The Headies Award for Artiste of the Year in the year 2018.
BET Award for Best International Act in the year 2018.
City People Music Award for Best Collabo of the Year in the year 2016, for his song Osinachi (Remix).
The Future Awards Africa Prize for Music in the year 2017.
The Headies Award for Best Pop Single in the year 2018 for his song If.
Nigeria Entertainment Award for Hottest Single of the Year in the year 2017 for his song If.
MTV Africa Music Award for Best Male Artist in 2015 and 2016.
MTV Africa Music Award for Artist of the Year in 2014
Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Collaboration in 2014 for his song Gallardo.
Nigeria Entertainment Award for Male Artist of the Year in 2014.
Nigerian Entertainment Award for Afropop Male Artist in 2017.
Nigerian Teen Choice Award for Celebrity Award – CHOICE Male Artist in 2015.
Nigerian Teen Choice Award for Celebrity Award – Top Featured Artist in 2015.
Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Pop Artist of the Year in 2015.
BET Award for Best International Act: Africa in 2014.
City People Music Award for Music Artist of the Year (Male) in 2014.
The Headies Award for Song of the Year in 2018 for his song If.
City People Music Award for Popular Song of the Year in 2017 for his song If.
South African Music Award for Best of Africa Artist in 2020 for his album, A Good Time)
Conclusion
The biography of Davido reveals the artiste as a talented influential figure in the Nigerian music industry who has signed and brought other artists like Mayorkun, Dremo, Peruzzi etc to the limelight. He has been bringing hits after hits exceptionally full of energy and vibes and the artiste still has more to offer to the music industry.
