Davido – Biography, Life And Story of David Adeleke, One Of The Nigerian Young Music Stars

David Adedeji Adeleke is an American-born Nigerian singer-songwriter, and a recording producer. He is popularly known as Davido, Baddest, and ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ (OBO) after his debut studio album.

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He began his music career at the Oakwood University, and thereafter rose to stardom after releasing his second single ‘Dami duro’. In 2017, Davido received the MOBO Awards as the Best African Acts and became the first African to perform live at the awards. The following year, he became the first African-based Artist to receive the BET Awards on its main stage.

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Davido Education

David Adeleke was born on Nov. 21, 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia, US, to Adedeji Adeleke and Vero Adeleke as the last child of five. His father, Adedeji Adeleke is a Nigerian Business magnate and his mother Vero, a University Lecturer. She passed on March 3, 2003. Davido attended British International School, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama, to study Business Administration.

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Davido Early Career

While in Oakwood University, due to his musical interest, he got some musical equipment so he could make beats and record vocal references. At a point, he dropped out because of his grades and thereafter relocated to Nigeria.

In 2011, he relocated to promote his career in music but encountered hurdles convincing his father. In his family, the children are expected to join the family business after school, but Davido chose a different path entirely. After mutual agreement with his father, he enrolled into Babcock University, Ogun state and finally graduated in 2015.

Dami Duro

Before ‘Dami duro’, Davido released his first single ‘Back When’ featuring Naeto C. It was shot by Clarence Peters in London and on Oct.30, 2011, he released ‘Dami Duro’. He co-produced the single with Shizzi which was shot by Clarence, this time, in Lagos. The song Dami duro came with an amazing video in Jan. 2012, and it became the talk of the town with frequent airplay by the media.

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Omo Baba Olowo (OBO)

He released his debut studio album on July 17, 2012, Omo Baba Olowo (Child of a Wealthy Person) under HKN Music Record Label. Davido was the executive producer of OBO and worked with other producers like Jay Sleek, Spellz, Maleek Berry, and others. It featured popular musicians like Sina Rambo, Ice Price, Kay Switch, B-Red, 2 Face and Naeto C. as guest.

O.B.O has seven singles – Back When (2011), Dami Duro (2011), Ekuro (2012), Overseas (2012), All Of You (2012), Gbon Gbon (2012) and Fell Alright (2012). The first four singles were released prior to the album. Omo Baba Olowo incorporates afro pop and afrobeat sounds with hip hop. It won the Best R&B/Pop Album at the Headies 2013.

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Davido Other Songs and Album

In 2013, his songs were One of a kind, Gobe, and Skelewu.

2014 – Aye, and Tchlete (Goodlife) featuring Mafikizolo.

In 2015 – Dodo, The money featuring Olamide, Owonikoko, Fans Mi featuring Meek Mill, and The Sound featuring Uhuru and DJ Buckz.

He released his second album Son of Mercy, EP in Oct. 2016. The album featured Simi, Nasty C, and Tinashe. Its singles are Gbagbe Oshi, Maga 2 Mugu, Coolest Kid in Africa, Return and How Long.

Davido released If, Fall, Pere, Fia, and Like dat in 2017.

In 2018, his songs include Flora my flawa, Assurance, Nwa Baby and Wonder Woman.

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Other Business Deals

Someone might be wondering what is the source of Davido’s wealth? Apart from coming from a wealthy family, Davido also has some houses in Nigeria and US.

The young music star has signed some endorsement deal, and he is a brand ambassador to AXE, Travelbeta and some prominent companies like Pepsi, MTN etc.

On April 6, 2012, Davido was reported to have signed an endorsement deal of N30 million with MTN, the largest mobile network in Africa. He was unveiled as the Face of MTN Pulse, a marketing campaign for youths in Nigeria.

On Oct. 24, 2013, he was also endorsed by Guinness Nigeria where he performed in the company’s ‘World of More Concert’, alongside other top Nigerian Music Artiste like Olamide, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, D’banj and many more.

On May 9, 2018, he was announced to have signed an endorsement deal with Infinix mobile, a Hong-Kong based smartphone manufacturer.

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HKN

Davido co-founded HKN Music with his elder brother, Adewale Adeleke. Today, the record label is home to many artists. He has also produced for numerous artists like Skales, Tiwa Savage, Naeto C and many more.

Davido Music WorldWide

Davido founded his music label DMW, in 2016. He founded it shortly after signing up with Sony Music. Several top musicians signed under the label imprint. Some of them include: Teli, Peruzi, Mayorkun, Dremo and others.

Davido Philanthropy

Davido is regarded as one of the charitable celebrities in Nigeria. He is known to always organising competitions and giveaways on social media. Davido is also in the habit of supporting people who have challenges with their school fees. For example, he gave Jide Sanyaolu 1million for his school fees, and one Deborah, another million naira recently.

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Davido Net Worth

According to naijanews.com as at February, 2019, the Afrobeat singer’s net worth is $25 million.

Davido Personal Life

Currently, Davido is in a relationship with Chioma Avril Rowland. He is also the father of two daughters – Aurora Imade Adeleke and Hailey Veronica Adeleke.

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Davido Awards and Recognitions

• Best Newcomer Award, Kora awards, 2012
• Best International Act: Africa, BET Awards, 2014
• Promising Youth Artist, Dynamix All Youth, 2011
• Best Male West African, African Muzik Magazine Awards, 2014
• Artists of the Year, African Muzik Magazine Awards, 2014
• Best Male Artiste of the Year, MTV Africa Music Awards, 2014
• African Artiste of the Year, Ghana Music Awards, 2014
• Musician of the Year (Male), City People Entertainments Awards, 2014
• Artiste of the Year, The Headies, 2018
• Artiste of the Year, The Headies, 2014
• Hip Hop World Revelation, The Headies, 2013
• Next Rated, The Headies, 2012
• Male Artist of the Year, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2014
• Best Pop/R&B Artiste of the Year, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2013
• Best New Act of the Year, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2012

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Awards And Recognitions For His Songs

• Music Video of the Year ‘Aye’ Ben TV Awards, 2014
• Song of the Year, ‘Back When’ Dynamix Youth, 2011
• Most Gifted Newcomer Video of the Year, ‘Dami Duro’ Channel O Music Video Awards, 2012
• Best Afro Pop Video ‘Aye’ Nigeria Music Video Awards, 2014
• Song of the Year ‘Aye’ The Headies 2014
• Song of the Year and Best Pop Single, ‘If’ The Headies 2018
• Best R&B/Pop Album ‘Omo Baba Olowo’, The Headies 2013
• Hottest Single of the Year ‘Dami Duro’ Nigeria Entertainments Awards, 2012
• Best Collaboration ‘Gallardo’ Runtown featured Davido, Nigeria Entertainments Awards, 2014
• Hottest Single of the Year, ‘Aye’ Nigeria Entertainments Awards, 2014
• Best Collabo of the Year ‘Carolina’ Saucekid featured Davido, 2012
• Best Video by a New Artist (Live beats Choice) ‘Dami Duro’ Nigeria Entertainments Awards, 2012

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Entrepreneurial Lessons From Davido

Standing The Test Of Time

Davido was detained in the Police cell by his father due to his interest in music but that act did not make him give up on his passion. There is something about passion; when you are passionate about something, there will always be a way. He found a way to communicate what he really wanted to do with his father and they finally reached a compromise.

Our family is our support system and we should get them onboard to believe our dream no matter how long it takes.

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Strive To Be The Best

Work hard and success will come. Ensure to be the best in everything you do and the money and fame will follow. For instance, ‘dami duro’, Davido’s second single video was a top notch and it won the best video of the year.

Choose Your Path

Choosing music as a career path was against Davido’s family ideal. Nevertheless, he chose the path, and today, the rest is history. Even if you are the only one who sees a future in your venture, don’t stop moving.

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