Davido – Timeless Album Review: The Magnum Opus

In the realm of a timeless album review, David Adeleke, widely recognized as Davido, has proven his resilience as a titan in the music industry. Life, with its pros and cons, can be unpredictable and even the most significant figures can fall victim to its whims. However, what sets Davido apart from the average person is his unwavering ability to rise above adversity. As he would tell you himself, the key to success is the strength to get back up when life knocks you down.

In 2022, the superstar singer-songwriter and performer faced a great loss. The unfortunate and untimely death of his Firstborn son, Ifeanyi Adeleke had broken him to pieces, leading to the singer’s disappearance from social media platforms. 

Before Ifeanyi’s demise, Davido had also been left to mourn a good number of his friends in the past- the grim hands of the reaper seemed not to give the singer a break. 

With the death of Ifeanyi came a plethora of woes and empathy from online and offline sympathizers – even the antagonizing fan base had called a truce as the impact of the loss was felt by all, most especially by his loyal devotees who pride themselves on the ’30 Billion Gang.’  

The last time Davido dropped a project was in 2020 (A Better Time), and a lot had occurred since then. For one, It seemed the industry which he had helped build was leaving him behind, as colleagues were gaining global momentum, earning Grammy awards, record-breaking plaques, and selling out stadiums, while he maintained a low-key stance with occasional musical features here and there. 

Like many great artists, there is a magnum opus that seems to define their craft, and for a long time, many believed Davido’s was his debut effort, ‘Omo Baba Olowo’(2012). 

The debut had seventeen songs which included classics like ‘All Of You’, ‘Ekuro’, ‘Back When’, and the smash hit, ‘Dami Duro’. This debut body of work fully launched him into the Nigerian music space. 

Since ‘Omo Baba Olowo’, the singer has tried replicating the success of his debut but has been met with the so-called “sophomore’s curse” in the process and an overlooked third project.

Surprisingly, his fourth body of work hardly expresses grief, pain, and loss considering his latest ordeals, instead, it takes a lively approach. The only time listeners get a glimpse of his burden is in ‘LCND’ and track starter, ‘Ova Dem’.

In ‘Ova Dem’ Davido makes a metaphorical reference citing a biblical tale almost as old as time itself: “If dem wan turn Goliath, I be David for life, Oluwa dey my side”, he belts. 

Afro-Shakers begin the party proper with ‘Feel’, an Amapiano-tinged anthem that showcases the singer’s need for a sweet escape.  While this song sounds like good material for a lead single, he surprisingly gives the mantle to the equally Amapiano-yoked ‘Unavailable’. The song features fast-rising South African singer, Musa Keys.

Notably, one of the most interesting and audacious aspects of ‘Timeless’ is its exclusive inclusion of fast-rising singers and budding new-comers as opposed to International and more established artists; an example of the former is seen on track three – ‘In the Garden’ (feat Morravey). 

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The newly signed act to Davido’s rebranded label imprint, ‘DMW 2.0’ makes a remarkable first impression on a large audience as she shines through the softcore Amapiano-ridden song. ‘Picasso’ also introduces listeners to the second act under the label imprint, Logos Olori who is just as sensational as his label mate.

One thing fans certainly missed about Davido’s hiatus is his unapologetic yet modest braggadocio, he brings this side to life again in ‘Godfather’, and ‘Precision’.  

The project features a variety of music styles such as high life (Na Money), and Dancehall (BOP). Konto rhythm also takes charge in ‘Kante’ as a female singer, Fave provides a riveting chorus- an act she is reputable for. 

In ‘Timeless,’ Davido proves he has the star power to get certain artists to explore softer themes (Skepta and Asake) without diminishing their originality.

This album is not just a collection of songs but a reflection of Davido’s artistry, his personal experiences, and his vision for the future of African music. He has collaborated with some of the industry’s top-notch producers and musicians, blending different genres to create a sound that is uniquely his own.

In a nutshell, ‘Timeless’ is more than just an album; it is a testament to Davido’s resilience, hard work, and unwavering passion for music. It is a celebration of African culture and a showcase of the continent’s rich musical heritage. With this album, Davido has once again proven why he is one of the most respected and influential musicians in Africa today.