“Five is freedom—without limits or borders. Rising by lifting others. The artist, the father; a man straddling two worlds.” These powerful lines by Nigerian poet Alhanislam, which open Davido’s fifth studio album, offer more than just a poetic introduction—they provide a window into the mindset and creative vision of an artist who has led African music’s global charge for over a decade.
With 5ive, his 2025 release, Davido presents what feels like a well-earned victory lap—not only celebrating his own achievements but highlighting the evolution of the entire modern African music scene. “This project is definitely about celebrating our journey and how far we’ve come,” he tells Apple Music. “It’s been a long road. Afrobeats is thriving. From South Africa to Ghana to Nigeria, we’re all shining. The fact that we now have Grammy and Billboard categories, and our own festivals drawing bigger crowds than some in the U.S.—it’s unbelievable. The genre’s global now. Every album I drop is to push Afrobeats even further.”
True to form, Davido remains focused on breaking cultural and sonic boundaries. 5ive continues the genre-blending energy of his 2023 album Timeless, heavily featuring the iconic log drum sounds of South African amapiano, alongside Caribbean and Latin influences. All of it is anchored in the unmistakable pulse of Afrobeats, with thoughtful callbacks to African musical roots. “I love merging different worlds into mine,” he says—and that vision comes alive in collaborations with Victoria Monét, Shenseea, Tayc, Dadju, and familiar names like Chris Brown, Musa Keys, Shizzi, Marvey Muzique, and DJ Maphorisa. He also links up with rising Jamaican artist 450, and local Nigerian stars such as ODUMODUBLVCK, Omah Lay, and Chike. Here, Davido walks us through the standout moments from 5ive.
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