Davido, born David Adedeji Adeleke aka OBO, 30BG is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, and record producer who has become one of the most influential figures in Afrobeats music globally. Born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, Davido has risen from a young music enthusiast to a Grammy-nominated artist with billions of streams worldwide, earning him the title of one of the wealthiest and most celebrated African musicians of his generation.
Personal Information
Full name: David Adedeji Adeleke
Stage name: Davido
Date of birth: November 21, 1992
Age: 33 years old (as of 2026)
Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Nationality: Nigerian and American
State of origin: Osun State, Nigeria
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, record producer
Genres: Afrobeats, Afropop, R&B, Afrobeat, dancehall
Years active: 2010 to present
Spouse: Chioma Rowland Adeleke (married 2023)
Children: 6 (one deceased)
Labels: DMW, Sony Music, RCA Records, Columbia Records, Nine+ Records
Website: iamdavido.com
Early Life and Education
David Adedeji Adeleke was born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, to a prominent Nigerian family. His father, Adedeji Adeleke, is a Nigerian business magnate, while his mother, Vero Adeleke, was a university lecturer who passed away in 2003 when Davido was just eleven years old. He is the youngest of five siblings and his father’s third-born son.
Davido grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where he attended the British International School. At the age of 16, he returned to the United States to study business administration at Oakwood University. It was during his time at Oakwood that his passion for music intensified—he bought musical equipment and started making beats. He also formed the music group KB International with his cousins B-Red and Sina Rambo.
His commitment to music led him to drop out of Oakwood University to pursue it full-time. He relocated to London, where he worked on developing his vocals. In 2011, he returned to Nigeria and agreed to honor his father’s wishes by enrolling at Babcock University, from which he graduated in July 2015 with a degree in music. Interestingly, his father paid the university to establish a music department so Davido could be its inaugural student.
Music Career
Davido made his professional music debut in 2011 with the release of “Back When,” featuring Naeto C, which garnered significant airplay. However, it was his second single, “Dami Duro,” released on October 30, 2011, that truly launched his career and made him a household name in Nigeria. The song was recorded in August of that year and leaked three months later after Davido sent it to friends, creating viral buzz.
His debut studio album, Omo Baba Olowo (“Son of a Rich Man”), was released in 2012 and featured guest appearances from Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince, and 2 Face Idibia. The album was a commercial success and received multiple award nominations, including Best R&B/Pop Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2013. The album’s singles—including “Back When,” “Dami Duro,” “Ekuro,” “Overseas,” “All of You,” “Gbon Gbon,” and “Feel Alright”—dominated Nigerian airwaves and established Davido as a major force in Afrobeats.
Between 2013 and 2016, Davido released a string of successful standalone singles, including “Gobe” (2013), “One of a Kind” (2013), “Skelewu” (2013), and “Aye” (2014). “Skelewu” became a viral sensation, sparking a dance craze across Africa, while “Aye” won Song of the Year at The Headies 2014. He also collaborated with South African duo Mafikizolo on “Tchelete (Goodlife)” and was featured on “Africa Rising” alongside other African stars.
In January 2016, Davido announced he had signed a record deal with Sony Music. A few months later, he founded his own record label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), which has signed artists including Mayorkun, Dremo, Peruzzi, and later Morravey and Logos Olori. In July 2016, he signed a deal with RCA Records and released the five-track EP Son of Mercy, featuring guest appearances from Simi, Tinashe, and Nasty C.
Between 2017 and 2018, Davido released a series of singles that became global hits. “If,” produced by Tekno, was released on February 17, 2017, and was certified diamond by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA). “Fall,” released on June 2, 2017, became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history. “Fia” and “Assurance” further solidified his status, with “Assurance” being a tribute to his now-wife Chioma. At the 2018 BET Awards, Davido became the first African artist to receive his award on the main stage, winning Best International Act.
In January 2019, Davido sold out The O2 Arena in London, becoming the first solo African artist after Wizkid to achieve this feat. He was introduced on stage by actor Idris Elba. The concert was praised by The Guardian, which gave it four out of five stars. Later that year, he released “Blow My Mind” featuring Chris Brown, which broke streaming records in Nigeria.
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Davido’s second studio album, A Good Time, was released on November 22, 2019, and included the previously released hits “If,” “Fall,” “Assurance,” “Blow My Mind,” and “Risky” featuring Popcaan. The album surpassed one billion streams across various digital platforms by July 2020.
His third studio album, A Better Time, followed on November 13, 2020, featuring guest appearances from Lil Baby, Nicki Minaj, Nas, Chris Brown, and Young Thug, among others. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard World Albums chart.
In November 2021, Davido demonstrated his philanthropic side by asking fans and colleagues to send him one million naira each. He raised over 200 million naira, added 50 million of his own money, and donated everything to orphanage homes in Nigeria.
In March 2022, Davido was featured on “Hayya Hayya (Better Together),” a single for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, alongside Trinidad Cardona and Qatari singer Aisha.
His fourth studio album, Timeless, released on March 31, 2023, was his most critically acclaimed work yet. The 17-track album included collaborations with Skepta, Angélique Kidjo, Asake, Focalistic, and The Cavemen. Primarily an amapiano record, it also explored dancehall, ragga, konto, highlife, and Afropop. The album earned Davido three Grammy nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Global Music Album for Timeless and Best African Music Performance for “Unavailable.” At the 2024 Grammy Awards, “Unavailable” was nominated in the newly created Best African Music Performance category.
Davido’s fifth studio album, 5ive, was released on April 18, 2025, and debuted at number 7 on the UK Official Albums Chart, his highest-charting album in the UK to date. The album comprises 17 tracks and features collaborations with YG Marley, Chris Brown, Odumodublvck, Chike, Victoria Monét, Shenseea, Musa Keys, Victony, Becky G, and Omah Lay.
Discography
Studio Albums
Omo Baba Olowo (2012)
A Good Time (2019)
A Better Time (2020)
Timeless (2023)
5ive (2025)
Major Hits
Dami Duro (2011) – His breakthrough single from his debut album
Aye (2014) – Won Song of the Year at The Headies 2014
If (2017) – Certified diamond in South Africa, won Song of the Year at The Headies 2018
Fall (2017) – Longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history
Fia (2017) – Known for its deeply personal lyrics about his arrest
Assurance (2018) – A tribute to his then-girlfriend Chioma
Blow My Mind (2019) – Featuring Chris Brown
FEM (2020) – A high-energy anthem of resilience
Jowo (2020) – A smooth love song from A Better Time
Unavailable (2023) – Featuring Musa Keys, Grammy-nominated, sparked a global TikTok dance challenge
Awards and Recognition
Davido has received numerous awards throughout his career, including:
Next Rated award at The Headies 2012
Best African Act at the 2017 MOBO Awards
Best International Act at the 2018 BET Awards (first African artist to receive the award on the main stage)
Best African Act and Best Worldwide Act at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards
Song of the Year at The Headies 2018 for “If”
Best International Act at the 2026 Liberian Entertainment Awards
Three Grammy nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards (2024)
Net Worth
Davido is widely recognized as one of the richest and most influential Afrobeats artists. His net worth is estimated between $40 million and $100 million USD, though Celebrity Net Worth, the widely cited benchmark, estimates his fortune at around $100 million as of 2025. The exact figure is difficult to verify as it depends on whether one counts his stakes in family-owned assets or only his liquid personal holdings.
Yahoo Finance and other sources have ranked him as the wealthiest artist in the Afrobeats genre, surpassing Wizkid ($30 million) and Burna Boy ($22 million). His wealth comes from multiple income streams: music sales and streaming, concert tours and shows, brand endorsements, and business investments.
Personal Life
Davido has fathered six children: three girls and three boys, one of whom passed away tragically. In October 2022, his oldest son, David Ifeanyi Adeleke Jr., drowned in a swimming pool at his Banana Island residence at the age of three.
In March 2023, Davido confirmed his marriage to his long-time partner, Chioma Rowland. They held a wedding ceremony on June 25, 2024, at Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos, attended by prominent figures including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Davido was appointed an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in May 2023, a prestigious national award in Nigeria. He is also a cultural ambassador for Nigeria and a prominent voice for human rights in Africa.
Discography
Davido has released five studio albums and one EP over his fifteen-year career. His debut album, Omo Baba Olowo (2012), established him as a major force in Afrobeats. He followed with A Good Time (2019), A Better Time (2020), Timeless (2023), and 5ive (2025).
He has also released several successful standalone singles, including “If,” “Fall,” “Fia,” “Assurance,” “Blow My Mind,” and “Unavailable.” His collaborations span both African and international artists, including Mafikizolo, Kizz Daniel, Popcaan, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, Asake, and Skepta.