Grammy-nominated Nigerian superstar Davido, a central figure in the global rise of Afrobeats, is set to release his highly anticipated fifth studio album, 5ive, this Friday. Known for his chart-topping hits and magnetic stage presence, the multi-platinum artist described the new project as both a personal evolution and a cultural milestone. I call it 5ive — obviously it’s my fifth album,” Davido told reporters. “But after naming it that, I did more research on the number five and found it symbolizes hope, grace, change, and growth. I feel this album reflects all of that. It’s going to shift things for me and, hopefully, move the culture forward too.”
Following the success of his 2023 album Timeless, which featured hits like “Unavailable” and earned him three Grammy nominations, 5ive pushes the boundaries of Afrobeats even further. The 17-track album showcases Davido’s genre-blending approach and features an impressive lineup of global collaborators including Grammy-winning R&B artist Chris Brown, rising R&B star Victoria Monét, Latin pop sensation Becky G, and Afrobeats talents like Omah Lay and Victony.
Davido reportedly began with a collection of over 80 potential tracks before narrowing it down to the final 17. “I crowdsourced it,” he said, describing how he invited close friends and family to help him rank and evaluate the songs. Musically, 5ive is a global mosaic. It weaves Afrobeats with Latin rhythms, Caribbean vibes, Francophone influences, and Western pop and R&B. “I feel like this album touches every nook and cranny of the world,” Davido said. “It’s African at heart, but global in spirit.”
As Afrobeats continues to dominate streaming platforms and international charts, Davido is vocal about cultural respect and authenticity. “I love that people from around the world are embracing Afrobeats,” he said. “But I always say — no one can do it better than us! I tell Chris Brown all the time: I can’t sing R&B like you, but you’ll never be able to sing Afrobeats like me!”
Davido and Chris Brown recently collaborated on “Sensational,” one of the lead singles from 5ive. The Nigerian singer emphasized that while cultural crossovers are welcome, it’s essential that African artists and producers get the credit and compensation they deserve. “If you’re going to make Afrobeats, at least work with African producers, do it right, give the right credits,” he said.
With over a billion global streams to his name, Davido’s influence stretches far beyond Nigeria. His latest release is poised to cement his place as not just a pioneer of Afrobeats, but as a key architect of its evolution on the world stage.
