With a new album, Oriade, on the horizon, Davido’s five previous studio LPs offer a clear view of his evolution within Afropop. Over 14 years, he has built a catalogue that mirrors the genre’s commercial rise, moving from aspirational anthems to globally collaborative projects.
5. Omo Baba Olowo (2012)
Davido’s debut arrived as Nigerian pop was entering a new commercial phase. Omo Baba Olowo introduced him as a promising new voice, though it also revealed the rough edges of an artist still developing his sound. Tracks like “Dami Duro,” “Ekuro,” “All of You” and “Back When” became defining records of the era, helping to shape the larger-than-life energy that would characterise mainstream Afropop for the next decade.
4. 5ive (2025)
His fifth studio project, 5ive, takes a direct approach. Following the emotional weight of its predecessor, the album focuses on club-ready hits and high-profile collaborations. It brought together contributors from multiple countries while keeping Davido at the centre, and it produced one of the biggest songs of 2025, earning him another Grammy nomination.
3. A Better Time (2020)
A Better Time gained cultural resonance partly through its timing: the lead single “FEM” arrived during the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. The album features a stacked guest list, including Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Young Thug, Lil Baby, Mayorkun, Sauti Sol and Sho Madjozi. It underscored Davido’s ability to move across genres and handle collaborations both locally and internationally.
3. A Good Time (2019)
The first instalment in the Time trilogy, A Good Time, arrived seven years after his debut. It marked a return to the album format after a long run of blockbuster singles and is often cited as his most focused body of work. The project balances hits across genres with moments of introspection, producing tracks like “Risky,” “D & G” and “Blow My Mind.”
1. Timeless (2023)
Davido’s fourth studio album, Timeless, addresses themes of love and loss. In an interview, he stated that the title reflected his wish for the album to be regarded as a classic for decades to come. The project has since amassed hundreds of millions of streams. It blends Amapiano and Afrobeats while confronting the grief he experienced before its release. Guest appearances on tracks like “UNAVAILABLE” and the vulnerable “E PAIN ME” helped elevate the album’s profile, capturing both celebratory and uncertain moments.
