Who is Davido? Biography and Age Milestones of the Award-Winning King of Afrobeat

Davido (Real Name: David Adedeji Adeleke, born: November 21, 1992, Age: 31 years old) is a famous American-born Nigerian songwriter, singer, and record producer.

The 31-year-old superstar has been in the music industry since 2011 and has become one of the most popular singers in the industry. He is best known for the song “Dami Duro,” which brought him to the spotlight.

The young star is the co-owner of HKN Music, a record label that has produced songs for Naeto C, Skales, Tiwa Savage, and Sauce Kid. He is also the owner of DMW Davido Music Worldwide, a record label that has signed many acts and saw the release of Davido’s recent albums and songs. More so, he has many other achievements he has reached at 31 years old. This piece will expose more of his achievements at this age and more about the afrobeat star.

Profile Summary of Davido

  • Full Name: David Adedeji Adeleke
  • Date of Birth: November 21, 1992
  • Age: 31 years old
  • Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  • Nationality: Nigerian and American
  • State of Origin: Osun State Nigeria
  • Education: British International School, Lagos; Oakwood University, Alabama, and Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria
  • Occupation: Singer, Record Producer, and Songwriter
  • Marital Status: Single
  • Children: 3

Originally from Osun State, Davido was born in Atlanta, Georgia

David Adedeji Adeleke, better known by his stage name Davido, was born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. He is from Osun State, Nigeria, but grew up in Lagos State. His father, Adedeji Adeleke, is a business magnate, and his mother, late Vero Adeleke, was a university lecturer. The young artist is related to Isiaka Adeleke, the first civilian Governor of Osun State, a former two-time Nigerian senator who represented the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State from 2007 to 2011.

Until his death in 2017, Isiaka Adeleke served again under the political banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. His uncle, Ademola Adeleke, is also a Nigerian politician. He served as a senator representing Osun West Senatorial district under PDP in the Nigerian 8th Assembly from 2015 to 2019. Ademola also contested for the governor of Osun State in 2018 under the PDP but didn’t succeed.

His father, Adedeji Adeleke, is a Business Magnate

Dr Adedeji Adeleke is Davido’s father. He is an investor and a businessman. He is the CEO of Pacific Holdings Limited, a company where his children sit on the board. Also, he is the founder and Chancellor of Adeleke University. As a responsible father who understands the importance of education, he urged his son to pause his musical career and gain a university degree. Knowing fully well what his son’s interest was, he allowed him to study it as a course in the university.

It was with his influence that Babcock University created a Music department for his son, Davido. This makes Davido be the pioneer graduate of the Babcock University Music Department. Dr. Deji is a good influence on his son, which is why his first music release was about his father. Davido continuously refers to his father whenever he refers to himself as OBO. OBO is a short form for Omo Baba Olowo, meaning a rich man’s son.

His mother, Mrs. Veronica Adedeji, died on his father’s birthday in 2003, when he was 11 years old. Davido revealed in an interview that his mother was sick, but he never expected the sickness would kill her. He also wished she was alive to receive all the gifts he wanted to shower on her. According to the singer, Mrs. Veronica, who was from Benin, died of cardiac arrest on his father’s birthday. Aside from these, nothing much is known about her. Davido and his siblings were raised by their father.

Davido is the Second Son and the Last of Five Siblings

Davido is the last child in a family of four, no wonder he was mummy’s boy. Coming from a wealthy family with an established father, they are all successful. Davido and his siblings have secured positions in their father’s company. They make up the board of directors, and some of them manage other businesses in addition to their positions at the company. Among his siblings are Adewale Adeleke, Sharon Adeleke Ademefun, and Ashley Coco Adeleke Adaji. Although Davido is a director at the company, it never stops him from focusing on his musical career. Meet his other siblings below.

His Elder Brother, Adewale Adeleke, is a Business Executive and Investor

Adewale Adeleke was the former chairman at HKN Music and is now the Executive Director at Pacific Holdings Limited, his father’s company. He is a music producer and co-owner of the HKN Music record label. Born on December 11, 1988, the 54-year-old Wale is the first son of the family. Like David, he was born in Atlanta and is an alumnus of Columbia University. He also got a degree in Business Administration from the Pacific Union College.

After his education, Wale began his career as one of the directors at his father’s company, Pacific Holdings Limited. However, he later teamed up with his younger brother to form the music production company HKN Music Record Label. With a net worth of about $60 million, Wale is currently enjoying a lavish lifestyle. He is married to Ekanem Kani; the couple tied the knot in 2019 and welcomed their first child, a daughter named Maya Oluwayemisi Minika Adeleke, in November 2020.

Sharon Adeleke Ademefun is an Entrepreneur

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A post shared by Sharon Ademefun (@lifeofrona01)

Sharon Adeleke Ademefun is David’s elder sister and the first daughter in the Adeleke family. Like her other siblings, Sharon also holds a position at Pacific Holdings Limited, but beyond that, she is also an entrepreneur and the CEO of Rona Wigs Studio. Although her birth year is unknown, we know Sharon celebrates her birthday on March 28 every year.

While she has been successful and living a luxury lifestyle, Sharon is also successful in her love life. She is happily married to a wealthy international business tycoon Yomi Ademefun. Yomi is also a successful businessman who has served as a business advisor for many companies in Nigeria. The couple has been married for 54 years and still counting. They tied the know in Miami, Florida, and they have three beautiful children. Sharon likes expensive things, shows them off on social media, and is the favorite of her younger brother, Davido.

Ashley Coco Adeleke Adaji is the Second Daughter

Ashley Coco Adeleke Adaji is Davido’s second sister. Although nothing much is known about her, Ashley oversees the Human Resources department and, at the same time, serves as a director in her father’s company Pacific Holdings Limited. She married Caleb Adaji in 2016. The pair got married at her father’s house in Lekki, and the event was organized by Zapphire Events. Aside from this, other information about Ashley, including her date of birth and educational background, is currently unknown.

When compared to Davido, his siblings are all doing well for themselves. Meanwhile, he is the only one among his siblings into entertainment. Nevertheless, his other siblings are also established in their various fields of endeavor. As the children of a billionaire business magnate, the Adeleke’s can be said to be living their best life yet. Being the youngest, Davido is the only one who is not yet married, even though he has more children than the rest of his siblings.

He is an Alumnus of Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria

Davido relocated to Lagos with his parents at a very tender age. He acquired his early primary education at the British International School located in Lagos State. After his secondary education, at the age of 16, he got admission to study Business Administration at Oakwood University, and he moved back to the United States. Although he could not continue his studies there, he discovered his talent in music and worked towards it.

He came back to Nigeria to pursue his career in music, but his father wanted him to be educated first. Although his father wanted him to study business administration so that he would be able to fit into his company, he instead allowed him to study the choice of course he wanted. They reached an agreement that Davido would go back to school and then study music. His father now enrolled him at Babcock University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music. Davido is one of the notable alumni the institution has produced.

At 31, Davido Has Made a Name for Himself in the Music Scene

Davido is one of the youngest and highly celebrated music artists in Nigeria and beyond. He started his career at a tender age, although he didn’t venture into it immediately. It took him some years to realize that music was where he belonged. With his entrance into the music industry, he has left an indelible mark in the heart of everyone. His songs and albums bought him a fan base nationally and internationally. Let’s take a look at how he made it in the industry.

OBO Started Singing at the Age of 16 

While Davido was at Oakwood, he was influenced by a neighbor whose hostel room was a studio. He started buying musical instruments, and he also began making beats. Instead of concentrating on his studies, he gave his time to music-making. Later, he began recording vocal references. The afro-pop singer left Oakwood for London without the notice of his father. In London, he developed his vocals some more. He worked together with his cousins to start KB International, a music act. In 2011, he decided to go into music fully and returned to Nigeria.

Davido achieved one significant thing in Oakwood – his interest in music. Upon his return to Nigeria, he agreed to his father’s persuasion and enrolled in Babcock University, where he bagged a degree in music. Even when he was at Babcock, he was still recording music. It was in his first year at Babcock that he released his first single.

Davido Released His First Song When He Was Just 19 Years Old

While still an undergraduate at Babcock University, Davido released his first single, “Back When.” Later that year, he released another single, “Dami Duro.” In 2012, he released his debut album Omo Baba Olowo, which includes the singles “Back When” featuring Naeto C, “Dami Duro,” “All of You,” “Overseas” featuring Sina Rambo, “Ekuro,” “Gbon Gbon” and “Feel Alright” which featured Ice Prince. Asa Asika was then his first manager.

To promote the album, Davido released the music videos for “Ekuro, “Gbon Gbon,” and “Feel Alright.” His rise to stardom, however, came after the release of his second single, “Dami Duro,” which was a massive hit and gave him the suitable fan base he needed to rise and making him one of the most loved Nigerian Afro-pop singers.

With the release of his first album, early in 2013, he began recording his second studio album. Davido released a fleet of singles which he planned to use for his second album. However, this second album took too long to come. On February 25, 2013, he released “Gobe,” produced by Shizzi as the upcoming album’s lead single. “Gobe” was quickly followed by the second and third singles – “One of a Kind” and “Skelewu,” respectively.

The fourth single from the album “Aye” produced by T Spice was released on February 2, 2014, while the video was released few days after as directed by Clarence Peters. Later on, by April 30, 2014, Davido’s HKN Music released the upcoming album’s fifth single, “Tchelete (Goodlife),” featuring South African duo Mafikizolo. Davido revealed his plans of collaborating with American rappers Rick Ross and Meek Mill, and in June 2015, he dropped the long-awaited collaboration with Meek Mill titled “Fans Mi.”

In 2015, he released another album with the title The Baddest. In an announcement he made on Twitter in 2016, which was met with mixed reactions, Davido revealed that he signed a record deal with Sony BMG. With these, more albums came and a host of singles, too.

List of Davido’s Albums

  • Omo Baba Olowo – 2012
  • The Baddest – 2015
  • Son of Mercy EP – 2016
  • A Good Time – 2019
  • A Better Time – 2020
  • Best of Davido – 2020

List of Davido’s Notable songs Songs

  • Jowo – 2020
  • Fall – 2019
  • If – 2017
  • Assurance – 2018
  • FEM – 2020
  • The Best – 2021 Ft. Mayorkun
  • Shopping Spree – 2021 Ft. Chris Brown and Young Thug
  • Aye – 2015
  • Holy Ground
  • Gobe – 2013
  • D&G – 2019 Ft. Summer Walker
  • Owo Ni Koko – 2015
  • Flora My Flawa – 2018
  • Coolest Kid in Africa- 2016 Ft. Nasty C
  • 1 Milli – 2020
  •  Wonder Woman – 2018

The Highest Achievements of Davido’s Career

The young gem has achieved a lot at 31 years of age. He has attained a height other singers have not attained. His songs, performances, and albums have afforded him great popularity and fame. Let’s look at some of his achievements.

He is a Director at Pacific Holdings Limited

Davido and his other siblings are all directors in their father’s company. He occupies this space and as well owns other companies. His father wanted him to study Business Administration and run his company full time, but Davido wanted otherwise. This caused a rift between father and son, but Dr. Deji later accepted his fate. He didn’t write Davido off from his company but gave him the director position in the company.

Davido is the Co-Founder of HKN Music

Davido and his elder brother Adewale Adeleke co-founded the music label HKN Music. The music label came into existence in 2011 and has seen the production of many songs and albums. It has signed several acts and brought a lot of artists to the world.

He Founded Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) at 24 Years of Age

On April 18, 2016, the afrobeat pioneer founded a record label called Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). This record label signed artists like Lola Rae, Ichaba, and Lil Frosh. And it is a home for recording artists like May D, B-Red, Mayorkun, Idowest, Dremo, Deekay, etc. The record label saw the production of Davido’s albums A Better Time, A Good Time, and the EP Son of Mercy. Also, it has produced lots of albums for the artists mentioned above.

He Has Signed Lucrative Endorsement Deals

Added to his other achievements, Davido has bagged some endorsement deals, which has greatly impacted his net worth. His endorsements come from the most notable brands in Nigeria and have fetched the singer a considerable amount of money, thanks to his massive fan base. Some of the companies he endorses include the following:

  • He reportedly signed a N30 million endorsement deal with MTN on April 6, 2012. Thus, he was unveiled as the face of MTN Pulse, a marketing campaign for one of the telecom network tariff plans targetted at Nigerian youths.
  • On October 24, 2013, it was reported that Guinness Nigeria signed Davido to an endorsement deal, after which he performed at the Guinness World of More Concert alongside other popular artists.
  • On May 9, 2018, he signed an endorsement deal with Infinix Mobile
  • He became the brand ambassador to 1xBet in May 2021
  • He is also a brand ambassador to Martell (cognac)

Davido’s Other Achievements 

Here are some of his other achievements as a singer.

  • He is the First African to Perform at Music of Black Origin Awards: Davido is the African to render a live performance at the Music of Black Origin Awards. He won the Best African Act Award in the 2017 Music of Black Origin Awards.
  • He is the First African Artist to receive an award on the BET Awards main stage: Davido won the 2018 BET awards for Best International Act, and he is the African artist to have received his award on the main stage.
  • His songs were featured on international movies soundtracks: The OBO Baddest singer’s songs have featured in international films like Coming to America II (2020) and Queen of Katwe (2016). In Coming to America II, he performed the song “Assurance.”
  • Davido always shut down global concert venues any time and anywhere he is performing. Tickets are always sold out. This shows how famous he is and that his presence brings fans out of their homes.

At the age of 20, He Received His First Award as a Musician

Davido’s first award as a musician came in 2012 when he was 20 years old. Since then, he has continued to receive both national and international awards. Within a short time of his music career, Davido has received over 109 awards from over 150 nominations. He has collected awards in Nigeria, Africa, and other international awards. His worldwide recognition has afforded him these, and they also contribute to his rising fame.

List of Some of the Awards and Recognitions Davido Has Won so Far

  • In May 2017, he was listed on Forbes Africa Magazine as among Africa’s Top 10 Bankable artists.
  • Hottest Single of the Year in the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
  • The Next Rated Award in 2012 The Headies award
  • Best African Act in the 2017 MTV Europe Music Award
  • 2014 BET Award for Best International Act: Africa
  • Artist of the Year in 2018 The Headies Awards
  • The Future Awards Prize for Music in 2017 The Future Awards
  • Best International Act in the 2018 BET Awards
  • Best Collabo of the Year in the 2016 City People Music Award
  • Rest of Africa Artist in the 2020 South African Music Award
  • Best Pop Single in 2018 The Headies Awards
  • Best Collaboration award in the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Award
  • Song of the Year in 2018 The Headies Awards
  • Music Artist of the Year in the 2014 City People Music Award
  • Afropop Male Artist award in the 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Award

Aside From His Career, Davido Has Three Children Without a Wife

Although he is not yet married, Davido has three children. One, a daughter he called Aurora Imade Adeleke, with his baby mama Sophia Momodu, a cousin to veteran journalist-turned-politician Dele Momodu. The birth of Imade was a very trying time for both Davido and Sophie. The situation was made worse by the many negative and inciting reports about the child’s paternity and the fact that Sophie is older than Davido.

His second daughter, Hailey Veronica Adeleke, was by his American girlfriend, Amanda. Hailey Veronica was born in May 2017 and named after Davido’s late mother.

The third child is a boy, and he was birthed to him by a co-star, Chioma Avril Rowland. The boy’s name is David Adedeji Adeleke Junior, and he was born on October 20, 2019. Chioma and Davido were supposed to get married, but it didn’t work out. When the duo separated, Chioma deleted all posts on Davido from her Instagram timeline leaving only the one on his A Better Time album that featured her son.

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