Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido (David Adeleke) recently hosted an exclusive snippet listening session for his upcoming 5ive album, which coincidentally is his fifth studio album, hours ago.
ENigeria News reports that, with the official album release date already set, the preview offered a sneak peek at Davido’s most recent sound direction. However, the real question on the minds of his fans is: Can this project surpass the success of his highly successful 2023 album, Timeless?
Davido’s 5ive Album: A Shift in Sound—But at What Cost?
ENigeria News keenly observed that unlike Timeless, which delivered back-to-back anthems like Over Dem, Feel It, E Pain Me, Unavailable, Godfather, and Away, 5ive, the 17-track album by Davido, appears to take a different, and more experimental route. The album fuses Davido’s signature Afrobeats sound with Amapiano, R&B, and pop influences, perhaps in an attempt to align with contemporary global trends.
From the snippets available online, some fans worry that 5ive album may lack the instant hit-making appeal of Timeless. While the album includes collaborations with YG Marley, Odumodublvck, and Chike, ENigeria News has collected some early reactions suggesting that no standout track is emerging as a clear chart-topper—at least not yet.
Except for stream farm numbers, which practically all top artistes are guilty of, it may be easier for the camel to pass through the needle’s eye than for Davido’s 5ive album to attain the much anticipated success.
Davido Desperate for a Grammy?
ENigeria News notes that at this point in his career, Davido has everything to prove. His peers (big cats)—Wizkid and Burna Boy—are Grammy winners, while he has fallen short despite multiple nominations. Could the 5ive album be his calculated move toward Grammy recognition?
The unexpected addition of Teni as a featured artist has also sparked speculation. Davido himself once famously referred to Wizkid and Burna Boy as “big cats” in the industry. Is he now attempting to bring in fresh energy through Teni as a secret weapon to boost the album’s appeal? Maybe it’s still too early to conclude, but a few months will do justice to that.
Will 5ive Album Outshine Timeless?
With the Timeless album amassing millions of streams and cementing Davido’s dominance in the music space across the board, 5ive faces enormous pressure to deliver. While the preview hints at artistic growth, the real test lies in its reception from the fans. Will fans embrace this shift, or will the album struggle to match Timeless’ impact?
As 5ive nears its release, with tour dates already set, regardless of the coincidence with Wizkid’s tour, one thing remains certain—Davido is playing for higher stakes than ever. The world will soon find out if his gamble pays off.
