Name of Musician: Davido
Name of Album: Timeless
Genre of Music: Amapiano, dancehall, ragga, Konto, highlife & Afropop
Producers: Magicsticks, Rage, Darmie, Blaisebeatz, 1da Banton, Caltonic SA, Young Alpha, Rore, Sparrq, Shizzi, Jon P, Rugged, Rage, Tee Jay & Yung Willis
Length: 49 minutes, 12 seconds (17 songs)
Features: Morravey, Musa Keys, Dexta Daps, Fave, The Cavemen., Angélique Kidjo, Skepta, Asake, Logos Olori & Focalistic
Label: Columbia, Sony, DMW
Release Date: March 31, 2023
Initial Response: According to Nigerian entertainment journalist, Joey Akan, “Mans walked through the darkness to find the light of his art, and I totally respect the commitment to excellence.” He also congratulated him on the release of the album.
What I know about Davido: His real name is David Adedeji Adeleke. He is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter and record producer. Born in Atlanta, US, and raised in Lagos, he made his music debut as a member of the music group KB International. Davido studied business administration at Oakwood University before dropping out to make beats and record vocal references. He 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”.
Davido was cited as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2019. His third studio album A Better Time was released on November 13, 2020. In February 2021, he appeared on Time magazine’s Time 100 Next List. Davido released his fourth studio album, titled Timeless, on March 31, 2023. He is a cultural ambassador for Nigeria and a prominent voice for human rights on the African continent. Moreover, he is one of the most followed African artists on both Instagram and Twitter.
In March 2022, Davido was featured on “Hayya Hayya (Better Together)” alongside (Trinidad Cardona and AISHA) the first single of the multi-song FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack. It made Davido the first Nigerian singer to be featured in a FIFA World Cup single.
Overall theme of the Album: Greatness
How do I describe it: This album is a follow-up to his A Better Time, 2020 album. I must commend him for experimenting with sounds he is not accustomed to. The infusion of highlife on the ‘Na Money’ was a stand out for me. On this project, he reminds us of his larger-than-life approach to all things and why we appreciate his style of music. He implemented the use of saxophones, guitars, pads, and strings. He further explores and experimented with a range of genres on this project. He tried to express himself and reaffirm his status as the “Baddest” boy in Afrobeats.
The lyrics: They are fair, they all revolve around greatness, good vibes, life, friends, love, and party time. I believe that this album will get much airplay. Also, the album is already doing well in the music charts in Nigeria, global charts and streaming platforms like Spotify, US iTunes and Audiomack. The lyrics from this body of work could be understood and you do not need to take your time to get the messages in them as they speak truths about life.
Here are a few examples
“LCND (Legends Can Never Die)”
VERSE 1
Make I tell you something
Life is not fair
Lost many of my guys
But I thank God I still dey here
Oh yea
And I know say you dey watch me from up there
I no go lie say e weak me
But I stay strong and I stay fit
Pre-Chorus
I just wan flex this life o
Before I leave this life o we
Ko si omo na, mo ma jaiye
Mo ma jaiye mi
I go double the bag o
If I hear say I slack o
Ko si omo na, t’emi ye mi
T’emi ye mi
Chorus
Legends can never die
Oh weh o weh
Shooting up for the stars
Oh weh o weh
I told you from the start
Them no fit play my part
Legends can never die
Oh weh o weh
Legends can never die
Shooting up for the stars
I told you from the start
Them no fit play my part
Legends can never die
Oh weh o weh
Tracks that stand out: Na Money, LCND, U (JUJU), Unavailable, Kante, E Pain Me, In the Garden & Godfather
Tracks that don’t: Well, it is hard to say because all the tracks on this album are fair and each has a story to tell about elements of life, friends, peace, happiness, and reaffirming his position. It shows the journey to his comeback despite the sad event that plagued his household last year.
Why: A lot is left to be said only time will tell but for now the album is giving his fans a thrill.
How does this album compare to others in this genre: This album has some similarities to his previous works in terms of seeking hit records but this time around he is a bit laid back on this project.
My overall ratings and why: I will give this album six over ten. The album may not be spectacular but some tracks stand out. Its production is original and appropriate to convey the drift in his style of music. The project was targeted at his return to music, as a lot of his fans were starved of his brand of music for quite some time. According to Davido “There is a time for everything, a time to grieve and a time to heal, a time two laugh and a time to dance. A time to speak, and a time for silence”.
I urge you to take out time to enjoy these vibes-inclined tracks of ‘Timeless’ which tell you all you already know about Davido.