Davido with his latest album ‘Timeless’ showcases his resilience as he chooses to focus on the present and future instead of dwelling on the past.
Davido faced immense personal tragedy in 2022 when his young son drowned in an accident, making it a difficult year for the Nigerian artist.
Through living and embracing what lies ahead, he finds catharsis. In this album, the afrobeats kingpin effortlessly blends his Nigerian roots with global diasporic sounds, a testament to his versatility as an artist. Despite his grief, Davido has delivered a blockbuster that oscillates between celebrating his Nigerian heritage and a willingness to explore new musical horizons.
Davido, the renowned Nigerian singer and performer, has finally unveiled his highly-awaited album, “Timeless,” consisting of 17 tracks that feature collaborations with several prominent Nigerian artists, such as The Cavemen, Fave, Asake, as well as international artists including Beninese-French singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo, British-Nigerian rapper Skepta, South African music producer/DJ Musa Keys, and Jamaican dancehall/reggae singer Dexta Daps. The album also showcases DMW’s latest additions, Morravey and Logos Olori, on tracks 3 (In The Garden) and 14 (Picasso).
One of the album’s tracks, “Champion Sound,” featuring Focalistic, was already released in 2021 and garnered considerable acclaim. Despite being a household name in the Nigerian entertainment industry for over a decade, Davido’s fans had been eagerly anticipating his latest offering for quite some time.
The wait was extended due to unforeseen circumstances, as the tragic loss of his son overshadowed discussions about a potential album release last year. However, Davido surprised his fans 10 days ago by announcing the release of “Timeless” through a cinematic video on his official Instagram account, which touched upon his personal struggles and remarkable resilience.
For my top 5 songs, I have conducted a first-time listen review, without pausing, rewinding, fast-forwarding, or skipping.
“DAVIDO – OVA DEM”
Starting with the first track, “Ova Dem,” the 17-track album immediately sets the tone with Davido’s assertive declarations of overcoming past traumas and reestablishing his confidence in his craft and abilities. The addition of saxophone playing adds a spiritual touch to the beat, which is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at live concerts where fans would enthusiastically sing along to the catchy chorus, “I be David for life.”
The intro caught me off guard with its fast-paced tempo, but then again, this is Davido we’re talking about, and he always brings his unique flair to his music. Although it’s not a mind-blowing intro, it serves its purpose well as a palate cleanser, preparing the listener for what’s to come in the rest of the album.
“DAVIDO FEEL”
Davido possesses the unique ability to make every song he creates an enjoyable experience for his listeners. The song “Feel” has a certain depth to it, as it presents itself as a heartfelt love song upon first listen, but it requires multiple plays to fully grasp all the intended emotions conveyed through the lyrics.
Although it may not stand out as a big hit compared to other songs on the album, it has the potential to become a sleeper hit, similar to “Tanana,” where listeners would find themselves subconsciously humming the hook whenever the song plays.
“DAVIDO KANTE” (FEAT. FAVE)
Out of all the songs in the album, this is my absolute favorite. As a fan of Davido since his early hit “Dami Duro,” I never imagined him collaborating with someone as soulful as Fave. Her distinct voice stands out, and while people tend to focus on the timbre of her vocals, it’s really the agility and flexibility of her singing that showcases her vocal prowess.
Davido skillfully mirrors Fave’s melodies with his own swaggering touch, creating a perfect balance of their styles in the song. The verse is simply amazing, and the hook is incredibly catchy, making it a hit song that’s sure to resonate with fans.
Download Davido – Kante (feat. Fave)
“PICASSO” (FEAT. LOGOS OLORI)
On this album, Davido truly represents the lovers with his tracks. Logos Olori, a newcomer and another signee of DMW, is sure to make a name for himself in the industry with his exceptional delivery on the track “Picasso.” Olori pours his heart out on this song, skillfully riding the beat with a perfect blend of emotions.
His compatibility and combination with Davido are nothing short of brilliant, resulting in silky vocals and unforgettable melodies that are sure to stay with listeners. If his performance on this track is any indication, Logos Olori has a promising future in the music industry.
“DAVIDO LCND”
It’s time for the penultimate song, and Davido delivers with “Legends Can Never Die (LCND),” which is a touching tribute to his friends and family who have passed away, including his son Ifeanyi. The inclusion of playful kids’ voices at the end of the track adds to the emotional impact of the song and reinforces its connection to Davido’s son.
Despite its evocative nature, “LCND” features a beat that will make listeners move their shoulders and get into the groove. With lyrics like “I just wan flex this life before I leave this life,” it’s a song that people will undoubtedly love and sing along to. This track is sure to become a favorite among fans.