It seems Nigerian Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is less excited about winning an award at the 17th Headies held at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Unlike Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu, known professionally as Odumodublvck, who has celebrated winning the Next Rated artiste at the Headies, Davido is yet to drop a post about the Headies award or mention the award both on his Instagram page, Insta story, or on X, 24 hours after winning the Digital Artiste of the Year, to show his international audience the importance of the Headies.
Chike Ezekpeazu Osebuka, better known as Chike, is also yet to post about the award after winning double on Sunday, April 27, 2025, night. Chike’s ‘Egwu’ won two prizes: the Viewers’ Choice prize of the Year and Best Music Video.
Nigerian artists, including Davido, Wizkid, and Burnaboy are fond of posting winning the MOBO, BET award, Grammy nomination, but when it comes to indigenous awards, these artists are often seen not being appreciative or celebrating.
In the aftermath of the recent Grammy Awards, the Nigerian music industry found itself grappling with a mix of frustration and defiance.
A record number of Nigerian artists, such as Burna Boy, Davido, Tems, Asake, Olamide, and Ayra Starr, bagged nominations, marking a significant milestone for Nigerian representation on the global stage.
The celebration was, however, short-lived as each nominee left the ceremony without a trophy. Burna Boy, leading the pack with four nominations, Davido with three, and the rest with one each, all faced the glaring reality of Grammy disappointment.
The sting of this defeat was particularly heartbreaking for Davido, whose remarkable comeback with a touching album came after enduring personal loss.
Despite the commercial success and critical acclaim, the Grammy proved elusive. It stirred a collective frustration for Nigerians who anticipated a moment of triumph for one of their own.
The Headies Awards, now in its 17th year, has not been without its controversies. Similar to the Grammy Awards, it has faced criticism, but while the Headies allows fans to influence results through voting, the Grammy operates as a closed academy.
Calls were made to popularize the Headies, which has moved from being a Nigerian music award to global recognition, but much has not been achieved as the reality was evident in the last Headies, tagged Back to Base.
In the journey toward global recognition, setbacks are unavoidable, but the strength and spirit of the Nigerian music industry remains unshaken.
Perhaps, with each disappointment, there emerges a stronger resolve to elevate the craft, indigenous awards, and prove that Nigerian music and awards deserve a place among the world’s musical elite and recognition.
Davido Unites Superfans in Lagos for Exclusive 5IVE Album Experience
To celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, 5IVE, Davido hosted a select group of superfans and media at Ona Restaurant in Lagos for an exclusive meet-and-greet, presented by Spotify.
The event offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Afrobeats superstar, with 50 lucky fans and 5 media partners given the chance to connect with the artist in an intimate setting.
Rather than handing out invitations, Spotify put fans to the test, requiring them to pass a five-question quiz on Davido’s music to earn a spot at the roundtable.
Once inside, attendees were treated to an afternoon of music, conversation, and surprises. The event was hosted by Ireculture, who set the tone with her infectious energy, while SmallztheDJ kept the vibe going with smooth, Afrobeats-driven selections.
In true Davido fashion, a playful twist took centre stage: after teasing his absence, the artist made a dramatic, surprise entrance, sending fans into a frenzy. The moment was a perfect reflection of Davido’s personality – engaging, unpredictable, and larger-than-life.
Victor Okapala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships lead for West Africa, noted, “This event is a testament to the power of music to bring fans and artists closer together.”
“Working with Davido on the release of 5IVE highlights the energy surrounding Afrobeats globally, and the deep connection we see between the artist and his fans.”
Victor Okapala
The event’s highlight was a close-knit roundtable conversation, where fans shared their love for 5IVE, with “10 Kilo” emerging as an early favourite.
Each guest left with a gift box featuring five fashion items from Nigerian streetwear brand Severe Nature, who also designed the official 5IVE merch.
Reflecting on his journey, Davido shared the work to be done to get to the top.
“When you see artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Rihanna, you realise the work it takes to get there. This time, I wanted to go all out, and I’m seeing the results.”
Davido
Spotify data underscores Davido’s growing global influence. In the past 12 months, his music has been added to over 12 million playlists worldwide.
The artist’s reach spans key markets including Nigeria, the U.S., the U.K., South Africa, and France, with 34% of his listeners aged 18-24 and 41% aged 25-34.
As 5IVE continues to captivate listeners, this intimate event further solidifies Davido’s position as one of Afrobeats’ leading voices, fostering a deeper connection between him and his dedicated fanbase.
