Davido Assembles a Global Dream Team on 5ive, His Most Ambitious Album Yet?

Davido has released his much‑talked‑about fifth studio album, 5ive, featuring a star‑studded guest list: Shenseea, Victoria Monét, Chris Brown, Becky G, Dadju, Victony, Odumodublvck, Chike, YG Marley, Musa Keys, and Omah Lay. 5ive explores Afrobeats, Afro‑fusion, reggae fusion, R&B, EDM, and South African Amapiano influences, resulting in a lush, globally minded listening experience.

The opener, “Five,” performed by Arewa‑born poet Maryam Bukar Hassan, sets the tone with cinematic orchestration—a symbolic ode to the vibrancy of the album and to the domination and longevity of Davido’s career, with “Five” certifying both. This quickly gives way to more vibrant, energetic offerings like “Anything,” which combines slick Amapiano rhythms with self‑affirming lyrics about resilience, wealth, and loyalty.

“5ive isn’t just an album—it’s Davido’s boldest bid yet for global resonance, powered by genre fusion, star power, and sonic ambition.”

“Be There Still” surprises with a blend of Amapiano bass and rock‑guitar strings, grounding the album in themes of ambition and endurance. Tracks like “CFMF” (Can’t Feel My Face) borrow from Kizz Daniel’s recent obsession with Tungba drums, balancing romantic themes with richly layered instrumentation.

Davido’s consistency in crafting catchy, Amapiano‑leaning records continues with “10kilo” and “Offa Me,” the latter featuring an impressive guest verse from Victoria Monét. “Don’t Know,” with its looped chorus inspired by the opener of Asake’s debut album and its EDM sensibilities, and “R&B,” influenced by synth‑pop and Caribbean sounds, both demonstrate Davido’s willingness to explore genre fusion, with notable support from Shenseea and 450.

“Nuttin Dey” is the only track that feels out of place. Still, “Holy Water,” featuring Victony and Musa Keys, brings a unique flair with its inventive drum take on Amapiano, while “Titanium,” featuring Chris Brown, strikes a balance between EDM and Afrobeats, reinforcing Davido’s global appeal.

“Lately,” “Tek,” and “Funds” maintain the album’s momentum with melodic highs and production rooted in lush synths and percussive layers. “Lover Boy,” featuring Francophone stars Dadju and Tay‑C, adds a European Afro‑pop dimension, while “With You,” featuring Omah Lay—arguably a fan favorite—ties everything together with Ghanaian‑inspired highlife guitars and heartfelt sensuality, despite Omah’s playful, gibberish delivery.

Overall, 5ive is perhaps Davido’s most sonically curated project. The production is lush, dynamic, and globally aware. Although the album’s narrative can feel simplistic and its romantic songwriting sometimes vague, it remains undeniably good, effortlessly traversing musical borders.

Davido has yet to establish a pedigree for crafting genuine global‑crossover records, having primarily delivered local hits. After previous U.S.‑focused collaborations fell short, this album succeeds by featuring a diverse lineup of guests from around the world rather than concentrating solely on the American market.