Davido: 5 factors that have made O.B.O conquer Nigerian music

Davido had a stellar 2017 and is back at the apex of the Nigerian music industry thanks to hard work and a few other factors.

Following a stellar 2017 where he was crowned as the artiste of the year at  various award shows, Davido has picked off from where he stopped and we examine his winning formula.

2017 will go down as one of his best years yet. It was the year where everything he touched turned to the proverbial gold. From singles like, 'If' to 'Fall', Davido scored hits and ended the year on a solid note with 'Fia' and 'Like dat'.

The singer has kicked off things in 2018 with the same energy as after putting out his single, 'Flora my flawa', which is making major waves, his features on DJ E Cool's 'Ada' and Larry Gaaga's 'Doe' have also enhanced his reputation as he continues work on his sophomore album.

 

So what exactly has been working for the Omo Baba Olowo? We take a look at five factors that has shaped the success of his career thus far.

1. Defining what success means to him

 

Two years ago, Davido signed an international deal with Sony Music which gave birth to the 'Son of Mercy' EP.

It was a project that the young artist had hoped will help seal his breakthrough into the international market, so he changed his sound, collaborated with foreign acts and experimented in terms of what he had to offer.

But the E.P failed to do more than a sprinkle in the global waters, hence, he was forced to re-prioritize and identify where his motivation and market lies.

No artist enjoys creating in a vacuum, everyone wants acceptance and a broad audience. So for Davido, it was either for him to be a dog in no man's land or a king in his homeland.

He made the choice, reverted to the formula that worked and has since enjoyed not just a bigger recognition but increased acceptance of his artistic prowess.

2. Hard-work can always beat talent

 

It may sound cliché but hard work has done it for the averagely talented act.

Over the past few years, Davido has put out more singles, featured in more collaborations, released more videos and performed on almost every platform across the world as any other person in the industry.

There has been no days off for him, since he chose this path and the progress has been evidenced in not just his music but his stagecraft.

Davido is putting in the work like someone without a plan b, who has no other choice but to make this succeed in life.

3. Consistently putting out relatable singles and slangs

 

Davido has been consistent such that everywhere you turn, there is almost a Davido song for every occasion. From 'Back when' where he tells a story of 'humble beginnings', to 'Skelewu', where he drops the anthem for a new dance.

On 'Daddy' with Reminisce, he joins the prayer gang of everyone who seeks wealth while with his singles like 'Ekuro', 'If', 'fall'  and 'flora my flawa', he has steadily built the lover boy profile and warmed inside into the heart of his female fans.

He has also identified how endearing catch-phrases like '30 billion in my account' appeal to his audience and this he has utilised in most of his songs.

4. Recognising his limitations and employing song writers

 

One major problem in the Nigerian music industry is the quality of our lyrics.

While we boast of many musicians, they mostly fall short when it comes to writing proper lyrics or creatively being able to capture their ideas into words.

Song writing is accepted as a profession and even rewarded in other parts of the world. It is however an anathema in Nigeria that exists underground but cannot be discussed publicly.

Davido has over the years understood the difference between a musician and a song writer, even though he has ended up being called out for this by several artistes.

There are claims he employed the services of sensational singer Teni Entertainer to ghostwrite on 'Like dat' and it does look like that is a ploy he has continued to adopt to get to his envisioned heights.

5. Surrounding himself with the right team

 

Like sports where despite their untouchable abilities, Cristiano Ronaldo thrives under the passes of players like Luka Modric and Toni Kross, while a Lebron James had to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers in order to get his first set of NBA rings with the right team at Miami Heat.

In the same way, Davido has been able to build a team surrounding himself with talented young artistes like Mayorkun and Dremo, producers like Shizzi who identifies with his sound and a set of efficient hands who help to plan, strategize and tour together.