Davido’s Giving Africa the Art it Deserves with '5ive'

After more than a decade of leading the Afrobeats movement, you’d think he’d run out of creative juice. But 5ive is proof that he’s just getting started.

Some albums hit. Others shift the room. Davido’s 5ive does both.

Fresh off his fifth studio drop, Davido isn’t just reminding us why he’s one of Afrobeats' most respected names; he’s raising the standard. 5ive arrives as a 17-track sonic journey that builds on the signature sound we’ve come to love, while inviting new flavors into the mix: R&B, reggaeton, dancehall — all seamlessly infused into the Afrobeats frame. It's pretty obvious at this point that after years of consistent wins, Davido sounds like someone who knows exactly what kind of legacy he’s creating, and he’s doing it with clarity, confidence, and cultural precision.

5ive opens its doors with Afrobeats, and then stretches itself into new textures; pulling in R&B, reggaeton, and dancehall flavors without ever feeling like it’s doing too much. The transitions feel easy. The collaborations feel intentional. And Davido? It's like he went crate-digging around the world and still brought it all back to the motherland.

But let’s not act surprised. Davido’s ear has always been global, even when his roots stayed deep in Nigeria. His tracklist reads like a festival lineup: Musa Keys, Victoria Monét, Shenseea, Becky G, Omah Lay, Odumodublvck, Tayc, Dadju, Chike, YG Marley, Chris Brown, and a few more surprises for your headphones.

Of course, the production on this album deserves its own standing ovation. You’ve got Marvey Muzique holding down multiple tracks, including “Be There Still,” with DJ Maphorisa and Black Culture adding flair. Shizzi comes in hot with “CFMF,” while Louddaaa and Dayo Grey make “Anything” feel like a summer memory you didn’t know you needed. Then there’s a global bench of beatmakers like 1Da Banton, Selebobo, BlaiseBeatz, Michael Brun, and more who show up with the kind of sonic chemistry that turns a good album into a moment.

The wild thing about Davido is how long he’s been in the game and still sounds like he’s just getting started. He’s a cultural architect, a global ambassador of African sound, and a living proof that mainstream doesn’t have to mean watered-down. From sold-out shows at the O2, to major international collabs, to walking red carpets across continents, he’s built a legacy off both music and movement. And the beautiful part? He still sounds like home. Every beat, lyric, and visual nods back to where it all started. Clearly, his influence can be measured in the way the world is finally listening to African music on Africa’s terms. And Davido has been one of the loudest voices in that global conversation — proudly, intentionally, consistently.

This project feels personal. Not in a confessional way, but in its curation. Davido is offering up something refined, something rich, something that reflects where he’s been and where he’s going and it’s all wrapped in sounds that feel global but grounded. There’s a certain maturity in the music that shows growth, but also a lightness that says he’s still enjoying the ride. The album feels like a thank-you note to fans, a flex to the industry, and a global love letter to Africa — all in one.

Listen to 5ive here.