Popular Nigerian music artist and songwriter Davido was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. Officially known as David Adedeji Adeleke, the renowned African music sensation was born on November 21, 1992, and was later raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He hails from the Yoruba tribe in Osun State, Nigeria.
Davido is married to Chioma Rowland, whom he met at Babcock University. She is the mother to his late son, Ifeanyi. David’s father is a popular Nigerian business magnate and billionaire, Adedeji Adeleke, who is also the president of Adeleke University in Nigeria.
One of his popular nicknames, OBO, was dubbed after his father was wealthy. OBO is the short form of a Yoruba phrase, “Omo Baba Olowo,” which means “Child Of A Rich Man.” The 31-year-old’s mother, Dr. Vero Adeleke, was a university lecturer who died in 2003.
David studied business administration at Oakwood University before he dropped out to chase his dreams in the music world. He later enrolled in Babcock University, where he studied music.
He launched his music career as a member of a group known as KB International before signing a record deal with Sony Music Worldwide later in 2016. Before this, he had founded Davido Music Worldwide, to which acts like Peruzzi, Dremo, and Yonda belong.
Davido’s fame came in 2012 following the release of “Dami Duro,” a single from his debut studio album, “Omo Baba Olowo.” The same year, he won the Next Rated Award at The Headies. Following that, there have been several hit singles to his name, including Skelewu, Aye, Owo Ni Koko, and The Money.
His music career has witnessed tremendous success over the years, and he has received several awards and recognitions. In 2019, he sold out the 02 Arena in London, where he was introduced on stage by Nollywood actor Idris Elba. He performed alongside a renowned band known as The Composers. In 2022, Davido performed at the grand finale of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His most recent breakthrough came with the release of the Timeless Album earlier this year, in which he featured popular acts like The Cavemen, Asake, Skepta, Angelique Kidjo, and others. The album contains one of his most popular hits, “Unavailable,” which is known worldwide.
To honor and celebrate the legendary strides of the Afrobeats giant, the mayor of Houston in the United States of America has declared every July 7 as Davido Day.
Popular Scandals and Controversies
Like many other celebrities, Davido’s daily life has also been filled with ups and downs. Of course, you can’t separate celebrities from good and bad viral videos, including scandals. Yes! You read me right: scandals.
On November 1, 2022, a heart-wrenching incident occurred at Davido’s Banana Island residence, where his three-year-old son, Ifeanyi Adeleke, died in a tragic drowning accident. The child’s parents expressed their grief over the unfortunate incident, emphasizing that several staff members were present.
The incident unfolded when Ifeanyi, the young child, accidentally fell into the swimming pool and went unnoticed until the cleaning staff discovered him submerged underwater. Several weeks after the incident, there were rumors about Davido having a hand in his son’s death, as some claimed that he had used Ifeanyi for money rituals. However, the claims remain unconfirmed.
The most recent controversy about his name arose about a month ago when an American-based lady, Anita Brown, emerged with a pregnancy saga. Anita had taken to her Twitter and Instagram handles to call out the Nigerian singer.
She had also promised to make Davido pay substantially for his rather controversial sexual lifestyle, accusing the singer of having his way with several ladies who were now his baby mamas. She shared several evidence of her alleged connections with the famous singer on social media, even regarding his phone number.
In the heat of the ongoing Anita-Davido saga, netizens witnessed the emergence of one Chisom Flowers, who accused the singer of convincing her to terminate a pregnancy she had for him. According to the lady, the singer had promised to give her the sun of ten million naira after aborting the pregnancy but failed to do so.
However, Chisom had taken to her social media story to apologize for calling out the singer like that, claiming she had lost her job, friends, family, and the brand she was working for. She also apologized to Nigerians for “dragging their favorite.”
Aside from these, there are stories about Davido having kids with different women. According to popular opinion, the singer has four known kids as of the time of this report.
Wealth And Cars
Davido is one of Africa’s wealthiest music artists, with an estimated net worth of $27.6 million as of 2024. He has a luxurious collection of cars and jewelry, running into millions of dollars. And, of course, he leaves quite a luxurious lifestyle, with expensive houses in exclusive locations worldwide.
Among his cars are notable names like Porsche, Bentley, Benz, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls Royce.
The renowned celebrity entertainer has an impressive collection of luxury cars adorn his garage. Among these prized possessions is the recently acquired Lamborghini Aventador, which he flaunted on social media shortly after returning to the online world. This stunning vehicle, valued at over $800,000, is not his first Aventador; he already owns another one.
But the Aventador is just one of his many high-end rides. Another jewel in his collection is the Rolls Royce Cullinan, a true epitome of luxury and grandeur. This opulent SUV, produced by the esteemed automaker, stands as the world’s most expensive SUV, with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $341,500. Powered by a twin-turbo 6.7-liter V12 engine, it generates a robust 563 horsepower at 5000 rpm.
Having acquired the Rolls Royce Cullinan in 2021, Davido proudly shared the news on his official Instagram page, ensuring his fans knew about this lavish addition.
The Lamborghini Aventador Davido recently added to his collection is a true beast on wheels. This 2021 model boasts a potent V-12 engine, churning out a staggering 759 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. The luxury car’s acceleration is breathtaking, as it can reach 0 to 100 km/h in under 2.8 seconds, a feat that sets hearts racing.
Besides these Lamborghinis, Davido also possesses a striking red Lamborghini Huracan, equipped with a V10 engine that delivers an impressive 631 hp at 8000 rpm. This stylish speedster is another testimony to Davido’s penchant for luxury and performance.
But the luxury cars don’t end there; Davido’s garage also houses a Mercedes Benz Sprinter bus. This customized van offers a combination of toughness, power, efficiency, and flexibility, making it a preferred choice for celebrities like Davido and E-Money.
Additionally, the multi-talented star has a Bentley Bentayga, a mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured by Bentley Motors. With a price tag of $177,000, this SUV comes with either a 4.0L V8 engine or a 6.0L W12 engine, delivering power ratings ranging from 542 to 626 hp. Davido acquired this stunning white Bentayga 2018 after his successful “30 Billion” music concert.
In 2022, after his show at the O2 Arena, Davido proudly welcomed the 2022 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 into his collection. This top-tier SUV features a 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine with EQ Boost, enhancing its overall performance. With 550 hp at 6,000 to 6,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 538 lb-ft at 2,500 to 5,000 rpm, this luxury vehicle perfectly complements Davido’s high-end lifestyle.
Not to be forgotten is his Audi R8, a convertible he acquired in 2016 to celebrate his birthday. Equipped with a V10 engine producing 398 to 413 hp, this luxury coupe can impressively reach 100 km/h from rest in just 3.7 seconds.
Another SUV in his collection is the Mercedes-AMG G63, a favorite among billionaires in Nigeria. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine, this robust vehicle signifies a luxurious yet powerful choice in his automotive lineup.
Davido’s collection doesn’t stop there, as it includes a Porsche Panamera, a Range Rover, Hilux pickups used by escorts, and a Mercedes Benz GLS. These vehicles reflect his taste for opulence and appreciation for fine engineering.
Last on the list is his most recent acquisition, the 2023 Maybach S680 Virgil Abloh, which he purchased in the first half of this year. Only 150 units of these cars were produced, and Davido bought one of them for a staggering $530 million (more than ₦500 million in Nigeria).
Davido had taken to his Instagram page to share the news of his acquisition, causing a ripple among fans and critics. In a viral Instagram reel, popular Instagram luxury lifestyle influencer Ola Of Lagos showed Davido that he could engage and disengage the sunscreen on the car’s roof by simply swiping back or forth. This was much to the surprise of the popular singer, unaware of the feature.
In conclusion, Davido’s luxury car fleet showcases his immense success as a musician and his love for high performance and exquisite automotive craftsmanship. His collection is a testament to the life he leads, one of luxury and extravagance. He continues to amaze fans and admirers with each new addition, setting a standard for automotive indulgence that few can rival.