Davido Biography
Davido who’s full name is David Adedeji Adeleke, was born on November 21, 1992. He is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Though born in Atlanta, Georgia, Davido grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. His journey into music began as a member of the group KB International.
Davido Early Life
Davido was born into the family of Mr. Adedeji Adeleke and Mrs. Veronica Imade Adeleke on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia. The youngest of six children, he spent his childhood between Nigeria and the United States, attending school in Lagos while spending holidays in Georgia.
His father is a wealthy businessman, and his late mother, Veronica Imade Adeleke, was a university lecturer who passed away in 2002 when Davido was just ten years old. He is also related to fellow musicians Shina Rambo and B-Red, who are his cousins.
Although he initially aspired to become a music producer, Davido purchased his own equipment and began creating beats while studying at Oakwood University. He was also deeply involved in promoting his cousin’s music career, though the partnership eventually fell through. Motivated by friends who recognized his talent, Davido soon shifted his focus to recording and performing his own songs.
And he moved to London, where he worked on his vocal skills. Upon returning to Nigeria in 2011, he temporarily paused his career to fulfill his father’s wish by enrolling at Babcock University. In July 2015, he graduated with a degree in Music, after his father funded the creation of a music department at the institution.
Davido Personal Life
Davido hails from Ede in Osun State. He owns several properties across Nigeria, the United States, and the United Kingdom. He divides his time between Atlanta and Lagos. Previously, he lived in a mansion in Lekki, Lagos, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, he relocated to a new residence in Banana Island.
Davido is also one of Nigeria’s top brand influencers. He has served as ambassador for major brands like Infinix Mobile, 1xBet, Martell, and Munch It, and was previously the face of MTN. Currently, he married to Chioma, the mother of his child.
Davido Wife
The artist is married to Chioma Avril Rowland and has three children, three daughters and three sons.
Widely regarded as the richest Nigerian musician, Davido leads the 30 Billion Gang and owns a private jet. Known for his extravagant lifestyle and generosity, he is often described as a self-made billionaire despite being born into wealth.
Davido Children
Davido is a father of six, with an equal number of sons and daughters. Sadly, his son, David Ifeanyi Adeleke Jr., died in 2022 at just three years old. His daughters include Imade and Hailey, while in 2023 he welcomed twins—a boy and a girl. He also has another son named Dawson.
Davido History
David Adedeji Adeleke, born on November 21, 1992, is a Nigerian-American music sensation better known by his stage name, Davido. He is a singer, songwriter, producer, and music executive.
He rose to fame in 2012 after the release of his hit single Dami Duro. That same year, he dropped his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo, which earned him critical praise. Following the success of his breakout single, he won the Next Rated Artist award at The Headies in 2012.
In July 2016, he secured a record deal with RCA Records, under Sony Music. He went on to release If and Fall in 2017, both of which gained international recognition, with Fall setting a record as the longest-charting Nigerian pop song on Billboard.
Davido released his sophomore album, A Good Time, in November 2019, followed by A Better Time in 2020. After initially being signed to HKN Records, he launched his own record label, DMW (Davido Music Worldwide), in 2016. The label has signed prominent artists including Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Dremo, Liya, Yonda, and Idowest.
Davido Education
Thanks to his parents’ affluence, Davido had access to quality education. He first attended the British International School in Lagos for his primary and secondary schooling.
At the age of 16, he relocated to Alabama, USA, where he studied Business Management at Oakwood University. However, he later dropped out to pursue his passion for music. Following his father’s counsel, Davido decided to continue his education.
In 2011, he enrolled at Babcock University, where his father financed the establishment of a music department tailored for him. He successfully graduated with a degree in Music in 2015.
Years later, in 2016, Davido was once again spotted back in school, this time completing his music studies at Babcock University. Eventually, photos surfaced online showing him participating in the NYSC program.
Davido Career
Davido officially debuted with his first single, Back When, released on May 7, 2011. The track featured Nigerian rapper Naeto C, whose contribution helped boost its success. Davido produced the song, recording it in London, while Clarence Peters directed the video in Nigeria. At the time, he was signed to HKN Records, a label owned by his elder brother, Adewale Adeleke.
Later in 2011, Davido dropped his first studio album, Omo Baba Olowo, which included hit singles such as Dami Duro, Ekuro, Overseas, and Back When. The album featured collaborations with top artists and producers like Maleek Berry, Spellz, Shina Rambo, 2Baba, Jay Sleek, GospelOnDeBeatz, Naeto C, B-Red, Kayswitch, and Shizzi. It became a commercial hit, winning Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2013 and earning a nomination for Album of the Year.
In 2013, Davido teamed up with his producer friend Shizzi to release more successful singles, including Gobe, One of a Kind, and Skelewu. The latter gained international recognition, popularizing a signature dance. Two different videos were made for the track, one directed by Sesan and another by Moe Musa in London.
On February 1, 2014, Davido released Aye, which quickly became a hit. Its video, directed by Clarence Peters, premiered six days later. That same year, he collaborated with South African duo Mafikizolo on Tchelete (Good Life). In June 2015, he also worked with American rapper Meek Mill on the trap-inspired track Fans Mi.
By January 2016, Davido announced he had signed a deal with Sony Music under RCA Records. He went on to establish his own label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), signing Mayorkun, Dremo, and Ichaba as the first signees. That year, he released a five-track EP titled Son of Mercy, featuring songs like Coolest Kid in Africa with Nasty C, How Long, and Gbagbe Oshi.
His career reached new heights in February 2017 with the release of If, written and produced by Tekno. The song won Best Pop Single and Song of the Year at The Headies 2018 and was certified diamond in South Africa after selling over 200,000 units. The video, directed by Director Q, was shot in London. Just four months later, he followed up with another smash hit, Fall. The track became one of the most Shazam-searched songs in the U.S., earned platinum certification in South Africa, and made history as the longest-charting Nigerian pop song on Billboard. Its video, directed by Daps in the U.S., has surpassed 100 million YouTube views making Davido the first Nigerian artist to achieve this milestone.
On November 10, 2017, just days before his 25th birthday, Davido released FIA, produced by Fresh VDM, with a video directed by Clarence Peters. The following year, he celebrated his partner Chioma Avril Rowland’s 23rd birthday with the release of Assurance on April 30, 2018. He also bagged major awards, including Best African Act at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards and Best International Act at the 2018 BET Awards.
In 2019, Davido became the first solo African artist to sell out London’s O2 Arena. That same year, before unveiling his second studio album, A Good Time (November 22, 2019), he released chart-topping singles Blow My Mind featuring Chris Brown and Risky with Popcaan. The video for Risky was directed by Meji Alabi.
His third studio project, A Better Time, was released on November 13, 2020, with collaborations from artists such as Ckay, Mayorkun, Bella Shmurda, Lil Baby, Nas, Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, and Chris Brown. By December 2020, the album had accumulated more than 213 million streams. Prior to the album, he had dropped the single Fem on September 10, 2020, accompanied by a video directed by Dammy Twitch.
Davido Parents
Davido was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Adedeji Adeleke, a business magnate, and Veronica Adeleke, a university lecturer. He is the youngest of five children and his father’s second son. While studying at Oakwood University, he bought music equipment and began producing beats. He also collaborated with his cousins B-Red and Sina Rambo to form the group KB International.
Record Label
Davido Music Worldwide (DMW)
In 2016, Davido established his record label, Davido Music Worldwide, shortly after signing with Sony Music. Over the years, the label has become home to several prominent artists, including Teli, Peruzzi, Mayorkun, Dremo, and others.
Davido Endorsement Deals
On April 6, 2012, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported that Davido secured a ₦30 million endorsement deal with MTN, becoming the face of its youth-focused campaign, MTN Pulse. The following year, on October 24, 2013, Pulse Nigeria revealed that Guinness Nigeria also signed him as a brand ambassador.
Under this agreement, he performed at the Guinness International of Extra concert alongside notable artists such as P-Square, D’banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Chidinma, Waje, and Tiwa Savage. Later, on May 9, 2018, Guardian Life announced that Davido had entered into an endorsement partnership with Infinix, a Hong Kong-based smartphone brand.
Davido Net Worth
Having been in the music industry for over a decade, Davido has built substantial wealth through brand endorsements, live performances, and hosting concerts. Beyond music, he is also an entrepreneur with investments in several profitable ventures worldwide. His net worth is estimated at around $30 million.