Davido’s ‘5Iive’ Welcomes The Afrobeats Megastar into an Era of Change and Growth – ryan

New York (AP) – Afrobeats May Be the Hot Sound of the Momentbut Davido Remembers a Very Recent past we have Music from Africa wasn’t embraced globaly, amid a perception the continent was one of the only destitute poverty and primitive lands.

“I remember when africans used to live that they were Jamaicans,” Laughed the Atlanta-Born “Fall” Singer, Who Grew Up Bethene the US and Nigeria. “The narrative has Immenssely Changed. And thanks to the People who are beebind this, Becuses it not governments… iTi innovators. The musicians. The Entertainers. The Lawyers. The doctors in america, the narrative of the Being African.”

The Grammy-Nominated Artist, Who Has Multiple 100 Million-Streamed Songs on Spotify and is of Credited As Playing a Vital Role in the Global Expansion of Afrobeats, Drops His New Album, “5ive,” on Friday. Following 2023’s “Timless,” The 17-Track Project Boasts an International Flare with Features from Grammy Winners Chris Brown and Victoria Monét, as well as becky g and Afrobeats Heavyweights Omeh Lay and Victony. Davido Began with 80 Potential songs, THEN Crowdsourced Opinions from Family and Friends, Using a Ranking System to Help Curate the Album.

Davido poses for a portrait on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Gary Gerard Hamilton)

Suffering heartbreak in 2022 AFTER His Three-Yaar-Old Son Died From A Drowning AccidentThe 32-Yaar-Old Now Look at Life with New Perspective.

“My life was going so fast … Now, Things are Clearer,” Said Davido, Who Now Has Five Living Children. “After the crazy loss we had, God gave us two: a boy and a girl. SO, Life is just different now – the importance of family and good people arund you.

The Associated Press spoke with the megastar about the populatory of Afrobeats, unity and inspiration through grief. The Conversation has Been Edited for Clarity and Brevity.

This Cover Image Released by Sony Shows 5ive ”by Davido. (Sony Via AP)

AP: What’s the album Title’s Significance?

Davido: It ‘My Fifth Album. But after I CALLED IT “5IVE,” I Went to Go and Do More Research on the Number Five and What It Entails, which is a symbol of Hope, Grace, Change, Growth.

AP: How Can Afrobeats Not Be Loked at AS A FAD ONCE The excitement dwindles?

Davido: Not over-loving the concession of western validation… One song blows up, two songs blows up-Only two songs-and they are running to america to a tour. What happened to ibado? What happy to the other places in nigeria?

The Most Important Thing That Will Make Us Last Longer is if we don’t forget where we came from.

AP: The Women of Afrobeats Seem United, but it hasn’t been that way for the men. Can that Change? (Competition, Social Media Jabs and Friction Between Camps have strained the Relationship Between The Genre’s Biggest Stars, Davido, Burna Boy and Wizkid.)

Davido: Recently, The Conversation Has Been Had… Wen I Bad Bunny Working with Peso (Pluma), and Peso Working with Farruko, I’m Like, There’s SO MUCH UNITY.

Imagine if all of the US Came Together and Busted Out a Tour? … We’re older now, we are more mature, so i feed like maybe in the great, you might see that happy.

Davido poses for a portrait on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Gary Gerard Hamilton)

AP: How you will you Feel About non-Africans Adopting The Sound?

Davido: They Can’t Do It Better than US! I say this to chris (brown) every time we play around, i’m like, “chris, i can’t singing r & b like you, but never in your life can you sing Afrobeats!” (Laughs) i don’t see any problem with it as long as it is done right and everybody’s credit is due… at least come use an african producer.

AP: Has Your Approach to Making Music Changed SUFFERING AN UNIMAGINABLE LOSS?

Davido: Music-Wise, I don’t think it Changed a bit Becausea when i get to my artist mode, nothing distracts with. … When I dropped the “Timesheless” album and Everything Went Crazy – Like, The Most Streamed Album in (First) Week in Africa Ever – We Celebrated the Album with the Were Were in Trying Times.

I Feel like that was the beauty of it. And apart from that, i just want people to just look at my story and know that you can overcome anything.

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Follow Associated Press Entertainment Journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @garyghamilton on all his social media platforms.