The Nigerian superstar, Davido makes one of the next 100 most influential people in the world for 2021 by Time Magazine.
Davido in his reaction wrote on his social media platforms: ‘Proud to be included in the inaugural #TIME100Next list”.
The excerpt for the selection of Davido was written by Nigerian rapper and BBNaija Lockdown season 5 winner Laycon, according to the magazine. It reads, “Davido is one of the biggest voices in Afrobeats because his music connects with people, often in ways that transcend his expectations.’’
Adeleke studied Business Administration at Oakwood University before dropping out to make beats and record vocal references.
Davido rose to fame after releasing “Dami Duro”, the second single from his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo (2012), from which six additional singles—”Back When”, “Ekuro”, “Overseas”, “All of You”, “Gbon Gbon”, and “Feel Alright”—were taken. In 2012, Davido won the Next Rated award at The Headies. Between 2013 and 2015, he released the hit singles “Gobe”, “One of a Kind”, “Skelewu”, “Aye”, “Tchelete (Goodlife)”, “Naughty”, “Owo Ni Koko”, “The Sound” and “The Money”.
In January 2016, Davido signed a record deal with Sony Music and a few months later founded the record label Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), to which acts Dremo, Mayorkun, Yonda, Peruzzi and the groups first female act Liya are currently signed. In July 2016, Davido signed a record deal with Sony’s RCA Records. In October 2016, he released the 5-track EP Son of Mercy, which was supported by the singles “Gbagbe Oshi”, “How Long” and “Coolest Kid in Africa”. In April 2017, Davido re-negotiated his contract with Sony due to creative control issues and later that year he released five singles including “If” and “Fall”.
“If” generated worldwide social media activity while “Fall” became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history.
Davido released his second studio album A Good Time in November 2019. It was supported by the previously released singles “If”, “Fall”, “Assurance”, “Blow My Mind” and “Risky”. Davido was cited as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2019.
Davido released his third studio album A Better Time, on 13 November 2020. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2021.