Davido (David Adeleke) is one of Africa's biggest pop stars and, by most estimates, its richest musician. Here is his full biography: early life, albums from Omo Baba Olowo to 5ive, Grammy nominations, DMW, his marriage to Chioma and his estimated $100 million net worth.
Quick facts
| Real name | David Adedeji Adeleke |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 November 1992, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Raised in | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Education | Music degree, Babcock University (2015) |
| Label | Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), founded 2016 |
| Albums | Omo Baba Olowo, A Good Time, A Better Time, Timeless, 5ive |
| Spouse | Chioma Rowland (wedding June 2024) |
| Estimated net worth | About $100 million |
Who is Davido?
Davido is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter and record label owner, and one of the faces of the Afrobeats wave that took Nigerian music to the world. Known as OBO (Omo Baba Olowo, "son of a rich man"), he has had hit after hit since 2011.
Early life and education
David Adedeji Adeleke was born on 21 November 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Lagos. His father, Adedeji Adeleke, is a Nigerian business magnate, and his late mother, Vero Adeleke, was a university lecturer. He is the youngest of five children.
He attended the British International School in Lagos, began a business administration course at Oakwood University in the US, then left to focus on music. He later graduated from Babcock University with a music degree in 2015.
Music career
Davido's debut album, Omo Baba Olowo (2012), carried the smash hit "Dami Duro" and won him Next Rated at The Headies. Hits such as "Gobe", "Skelewu" and "Aye" followed.
In 2016 he signed with Sony Music and RCA, and founded his own label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). "If" and "Fall" (2017) became continental anthems; "Fall" became the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history and passed 274 million YouTube views.
His albums since then are A Good Time (2019), A Better Time (2020), Timeless (2023) and 5ive (April 2025). In 2024 he also co-founded Nine+ Records with UnitedMasters.
Awards and achievements
Davido earned three Grammy nominations at the 66th Grammy Awards, including Best Global Music Album for Timeless and Best African Music Performance for "Unavailable".
