Davido Biography, Age, Family, Net Worth

Early Life and Education

David Adedeji Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, was born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is the youngest of five siblings and the second son of his father, Adedeji Adeleke, a billionaire business tycoon, and his late mother, Veronica Adeleke, a university lecturer. Although born in the United States, Davido was raised in Lagos, Nigeria, where he spent most of his formative years.

For his education, Davido attended British International School in Lagos before moving back to the United States at the age of 16. He initially enrolled at Oakwood University in Alabama to study Business Administration. However, his passion for music grew stronger, and he eventually dropped out to pursue a career in music. He later returned to Nigeria and enrolled at Babcock University, where he graduated in 2015 with a degree in Music. His father reportedly funded the creation of the department to ensure Davido completed his education.

Musical Career

2011-2012: Breakthrough with “Dami Duro” and Debut Album

Davido officially launched his music career in 2011 with the release of his debut single, “Back When”, featuring Nigerian rapper Naeto C. The song gained some recognition, but his major breakthrough came in 2012 with the hit single “Dami Duro”. The song became an instant sensation in Nigeria, earning Davido widespread fame.

That same year, he released his debut album, “Omo Baba Olowo” (OBO), which featured popular tracks like “Ekuro,” “All of You,” “Overseas,” and “Gbon Gbon”. The album was both a commercial and critical success, leading to Davido winning Next Rated Artist at The Headies 2012.

2013-2015: Hit Singles and International Recognition

Between 2013 and 2015, Davido solidified his status in the music industry with a series of hit singles, including:

“Gobe” (2013)
“Skelewu” (2013)
“Aye” (2014)
“Tchelete (Good Life)” featuring Mafikizolo (2014)
“Fans Mi” featuring Meek Mill (2015)

“Skelewu” became an international sensation due to its unique dance style, which Davido actively promoted. The song had two music videos—one directed by Sesan and another by Moe Musa in London.

2016-2018: Signing with Sony Music and Global Success

In 2016, Davido signed a major record deal with Sony Music’s RCA Records, a significant move in his career. He subsequently launched his record label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), which became home to artists like Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Dremo, Liya, Yonda, and Idowest.

That same year, he released an EP titled “Son of Mercy”, featuring songs like “Gbagbe Oshi”, “How Long”, and “Coolest Kid in Africa” featuring Nasty C. However, his breakthrough on the international stage came in 2017 with the release of two back-to-back hits:

“If” (Produced by Tekno)
“Fall”

Both songs were massive, with “Fall” becoming the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history. The track also achieved platinum certification in South Africa. Davido continued his success streak with “FIA” and “Assurance”, the latter dedicated to his then-girlfriend, Chioma Avril Rowland.

2019-2021: Album Releases and Sold-Out Concerts

Davido became the first solo African artist to sell out the O2 Arena in London in 2019. He then released his second studio album, “A Good Time”, on November 22, 2019, featuring hit songs like “Blow My Mind” (with Chris Brown) and “Risky” (featuring Popcaan). The album surpassed one billion streams worldwide.

In 2020, Davido dropped his third studio album, “A Better Time”, featuring collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, Nas, and Young Thug. The album received over 213.2 million streams within a month of its release.

2022-2023: Tragedy and Triumph

In October 2022, Davido suffered a personal tragedy when his son, Ifeanyi Adeleke, tragically passed away in a drowning accident at his residence in Banana Island, Lagos. The loss deeply affected him, leading to a temporary break from music.

In October 2023, Davido and Chioma welcomed a set of twins, bringing joy to their family after the heartbreaking loss.

2023-Present: “Timeless” Album

Davido made a powerful comeback in March 2023 with the release of his fourth studio album, “Timeless”. The album was a commercial success, breaking multiple streaming records on Apple Music, Spotify, and Audiomack.

Business Ventures and Endorsements

Davido has secured numerous endorsement deals with major brands, including:

MTN Nigeria – ₦30 million deal (2012)
Guinness Nigeria – Brand ambassador (2013)
Infinix Mobile – Endorsement deal (2018)
Martell Cognac – Major endorsement (2021)
1xBet – Sports betting ambassador (2023)

Aside from endorsements, Davido owns DMW Records and has investments in real estate and luxury assets.

Personal Life

Davido has three children and was engaged to Chioma Avril Rowland, the mother of his late son Ifeanyi Adeleke Jr. and their newborn twins. He has also been linked to Sophia Momodu (mother of his daughter, Imade) and Larissa London (mother of his son, Dawson).

He is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest Nigerian artists, with a net worth estimated at $30 million. He owns luxury cars, houses in Nigeria, the UK, and the US, and a private jet.

Legacy and Influence

Davido is one of the most influential African artists of his generation. His contributions to Afrobeat and Afropop have propelled Nigerian music onto the global stage. With millions of followers on social media and record-breaking streaming numbers, he remains a dominant force in the industry.

Davido Biography, Age, Family, Net Worth