At a Glance
- Davido hits 2 billion YouTube views, marking a major milestone for African artists.
- New album 5ive charts globally, solidifying his growing influence beyond Afrobeats.
- Lead single “With You” garners 8.5 million views in 11 days, showing strong engagement.
Few artists in global music have built a presence as lively and enduring as Davido. His sound, an effortless mix of Afrobeats, pop, hip-hop, and Yoruba rhythms, feels at once familiar and boundary-pushing. It’s a style that speaks to where he’s from and where the world is going.
As his YouTube views cross the two billion mark, this moment isn’t just about numbers. It reflects how far his music has traveled—and how deeply it connects. Davido isn’t just hitting a new career high; he’s becoming an even stronger voice for African creativity on the world stage.
Afrobeats superstar hits milestone
Since joining YouTube in November 2018, Davido hasn’t just grown a channel, he has built a universe. With 165 videos and a community of more than 4.5 million subscribers, he’s turned everyday digital access into something personal and magnetic.
His content ranges from cinematic music videos to glimpses of life behind the fame. As of now, his view count on YouTube stands at 2,018,924,711, a number that speaks not only to reach but to resonance. For an African artist, it’s rare territory.
UK embraces Afrobeats with 5ive
That momentum has been sharpened by the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive, which dropped on April 18, 2025, via Davido Music Worldwide, Columbia Records, and Sony Music. More than just a release date on the calendar, 5ive feels like a turning point, a work Davido himself called “a new chapter of personal growth and global connection.” It doesn’t just meet the moment. It defines it.
The album’s success has been undeniable. In Nigeria, 5ive shot straight to the top of the TurnTable Albums Chart—both a celebration at home and a statement of intent. In the UK, it debuted at No. 7 and climbed to No. 2 on the R&B Albums Chart, a clear sign that British listeners are continuing to embrace the Afrobeats wave.
In the U.S., it reached No. 2 on Billboard’s World Albums Chart, underscoring his staying power in a market that often overlooks non-Western acts. Even in Switzerland and France—territories that aren’t typical strongholds for African pop—the album charted, making entries at No. 83 and No. 173. Davido’s reach is no longer surprising. It’s expected.
Streaming numbers highlight Davido’s appeal
A big part of that draw is 5ive’s lead single, “With You.” Its video premiered just eleven days ago and already has over 9 million views. The audio version, released earlier, has clocked 11.7 million streams. And it’s not the only standout. “Funds” has pulled in 56 million Spotify streams; “Unavailable” sits at over 200 million. Currently, Davido has nearly 10 million monthly listeners on the platform. These are not passive listeners, they’re engaged, returning, and growing.
But his rise isn’t just about what’s new. It’s about how his older songs still echo. “Fall,” from his 2019 album “A Good Time,” remains his most-viewed video with more than 308 million views. “If,” another classic, has passed the 200 million mark. These aren’t just viral hits. They’re part of the story of how Afrobeats traveled, from Lagos clubs to London arenas and American radio.
More than anything, though, Davido’s success has always been about connection. His music hits because it feels close—whether he’s singing about joy, heartbreak, hustle, or home. He’s just as convincing in front of thousands on a festival stage as he is in the quiet of a ballad. There’s a confidence in his sound, but never distance. That’s what keeps people glued to him.
