David Adeleke, widely known by his stage name Davido, is on the verge of shattering records once again in 2023, with Forbes projecting his earnings to soar past the $20-million mark.
Renowned for his multiple accolades, the Nigerian artiste’s impressive income stems from a combination of royalty earnings, brand partnerships, merchandise sales, and highly lucrative tour performances.
Having graced the cover of Forbes Under 30 Africa list, Davido headlined the prestigious 30 Under 30 Africa Summit in Gaborone earlier this year. His unrivaled musical prowess has earned him the title of Africa’s beat ambassador, with his music garnering an astonishing 2 billion streams worldwide.
The recent release of his highly anticipated fourth studio album, “Timeless,” has received widespread critical acclaim and tremendous digital success. Within a mere ten days of its launch, the album surged to the second spot on Billboard’s World Album chart, with a staggering 133 million streams, including an impressive 43 million streams in the U.S. market alone.
Not only a musical virtuoso, but Davido is also a highly sought-after figure in terms of endorsements. He has inked lucrative deals with esteemed brands such as Pernod Ricard’s Martell Cognac, smartphone manufacturer Infinix Mobile, and sports apparel giant Puma.
His music embodies a modern fusion of African and international influences, resonating with fans across the globe. Beyond his artistic pursuits, Davido hails from a family with significant political and business influence.
His father, Adedeji Adeleke, founded Pacific Holdings Limited in 1983, which has evolved into an industrial conglomerate responsible for generating the majority of West Africa’s electricity through its power plants. Additionally, his grandfather served as a senator, while his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, currently holds the esteemed position of governor in Nigeria’s Osun State.
Davido’s philanthropic endeavors are just as remarkable as his musical achievements. In 2021, on the occasion of his 29th birthday, he selflessly donated a staggering N250 million ($607,500) to orphanages across Nigeria.
The charitable act followed a lighthearted request he made to his friends on Nov. 17, urging them to contribute grants and gifts to one of his bank accounts for his birthday celebration.
As Davido takes his latest album on a global promotional tour, industry insiders anticipate his earnings to soar even higher in the years to come.
Having accumulated over 2 billion streams and been personally selected by FIFA to spearhead the collaborative “Hayya Hayya (Better Together)” soundtrack for the 2022 World Cup, Davido’s influential presence within the music scene has solidified his status as a formidable global force.
