Anniversary Revisit
Review: Davido’s Album – Timeless.

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“Davido’s fourth studio Album, Timeless presents a strong case for his GOAT status. It is undoubtedly his most cohesive and musically accomplished album yet”

A lot had changed since Davido’s third studio album; A Better Time which was released in 2020, the same year his peers; Wizkid and Burna Boy also dropped their fourth and fifth albums respectively, that went on to achieve Grammy Status. With Twice As Tall taking home the Best Global Music Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards Ceremony and Made in Lagos receiving two nominations for the Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance for his record-breaking song; Essence featuring Tems at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony.

On the other hand, A Better Time was met with mixed reviews for being too hits-focused and bloated. As a result, sacrificing cohesion for dynamism. The album could not compete with that of his peers sonically and commercially.

The last three years saw Davido moving down the rankings. Following the successes of Twice As Tall and Made In Lagos (Deluxe Edition) which contributed heavily to the Afrobeats surge overseas.

In addition, there has also been an emergence of a crop of the next generation superstars ready to take up the mantle as the leaders and custodians of Afrobeats. In this new era of Afrobeats, the competition is stiff and gender-neutral with the likes of Tems, Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Rema, Asake, Fireboy, Omah Lay, Oxlade, Joeboy and Ckay (Whew… the list is too long) all having record-breaking and chart-topping songs, projects, and even plaques to their names. Further pushing Davido down the new pecking order.

The Magnum Opus That Came at the Perfect Time

After a much-needed social media hiatus due to personal reasons, the self-acclaimed “Baddest” returned to the music scene with his fourth studio album, Timeless knowing fully well he had a solid point to prove, not to himself but to the fans and the music industry.

The Motive

I get the sense that Davido knew he needed that one project to put himself back in the conversations in this new era of Afrobeats. And boy does he deliver! This album not only cements his status as one of Afrobeats’ greats, but It also carves his face on Mount Rushmore or Olumo Rock of Afrobeats for the last generation.

Davido presented a strong case for his GOAT status with his fourth studio album. Which is undoubtedly his most cohesive and musically accomplished album yet. Timeless marked Davido’s first album in three years so the anticipation was off the roof. The album features exciting Nigerian and international artists such as Fave, Asake, and Cavemen. British-Nigerian rapper Skepta, multi-Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo, South African singer Musa Keys, and Jamaican Dancehall star Dexta Daps.

Timeless – Unwrapping the Goods

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Davido’s album opens with Over Dem, the intro which sees Davido citing the David and Goliath Bible story as he figuratively proclaims his superiority over his “Goliath”. Which is a metaphor for the obstacles life has thrown at him. He also goes on to pay tribute to his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, the then-recently elected Governor of Osun State. He constantly reiterates to us that everything that has happened so far has been the work of God. Over Dem paints a vivid picture of Davido’s assured mentality and status which was never in doubt.

The second track; Feel sets the tone for the album. Davido stays in his comfort zone as he sings about evasive love. One consistent thing about Davido’s albums is how his second tracks always define the core themes of his albums, from Back When featuring Naeto C from his debut album to 1 Milli from his sophomore album to Jowo on A Better Time. Feel does the same establishing Timeless as a feel-good body of work coupled with love themes.

Davido’s Protégés

On tracks 3 and 14, Davido’s album introduced us to his new protégés, a female artist, Morravey, a 21-year-old singer/songwriter, a new addition to the women in the Nigerian music industry, and Logos Olori 24-year-old singer, producer, and songwriter who found his luck by being at the right place at the right time.

Morravey delivers a catchy chorus on ‘In the Garden’ as she trades promises and vows with Davido over guitar loops. Meanwhile, on ‘Picasso,’ Logos Olori sings over exotic instrumentals elevated by horns. The slow-tempo track sees both him and Davido asking to be drawn closer to their lover, employing a double entendre on the word ‘drawn. The sonic space of this particular song proves that a collaboration between Davido and Wizkid can indeed work.

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“The album features exciting Nigerian and international artists such as Fave, Asake, and The Cavemen. British-Nigerian rapper Skepta, multi-Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo. South African singer Musa Keys, and Jamaican Dancehall star Dexta Daps”

The Features & Guest Verses

The album’s strongest points are the features, and this is evident in the second half of the album and the lead single ‘Unavailable’, an anthemic hook with a remarkable verse from Musa Keys laced with Southern African Amapiano cadence and vocals. On ‘No Competition’ 2022’s Man of the Year, Asake delivers one of the smoothest verses on a tamer beat where Davido takes his time to laud his partner. This track can easily serve as a sequel to his 2019, single ‘Assurance’, in terms of the overall theme.

Fave’s performance on ‘Kante’ is one for the books. Her voice is so distinct in such a beautiful way. Mainly when she’s mirroring Davido’s melodies over the Caribbean pop vibes established by Daime’s production.

Fave’s performance on ‘Kante’ is one for the books. Her voice is so distinct in such a beautiful way, especially when she’s mirroring Davido’s melodies over the Caribbean pop vibes established by Daime’s production.

‘Na Money’ is still such a pleasant surprise and, for the most part, the biggest experiment on the album. Here, Davido enlists The Cavemen and the Grammy Award-winning Angelique Kidjo for this 1da Banton-produced Highlife track. ‘Na Money’ nods to old-school West African highlife sounds while focusing on love, money, Fendi, Gucci, and the finer things a queen deserves. Ms. Kidjo also brings her magic to the track, leaving Davido with very little to do.

Davido’s ‘Timeless’ also caters to UK listeners with ‘U (Juju)’, the Afro-Swing record featuring the legendary Grime King, Skepta. If any rapper is benefiting from Afrobeats, it’s Big Smoke, who delivers with his 16 bars and joins in interpolating Ice Prince’s 2011 hit, ‘Juju’. Another international artist featured on the album is Dexta Daps, the Jamaican singer who collaborates with Davido on the dancehall-inspired track ‘Bop’, reminiscent of Davido’s 2019 hit, ‘Risky’.

Davido’s Individual Brilliance

There are moments when Davido takes center stage and operates alone, from “Godfather”, his three-track run: “E pain Me”, “Away”, and “Precision”. To the beer-parlor-inspired anthem” For the Road”, where he longs for one last intimacy before the girl departs. “LCND“ is an emotionally radiant and triumphant song, befitting of Davido’s proclamations in the intro. Conceptually, “LCND” should have been the album’s outro. But Davido chose to close the project with the remastered “Champion Sound” featuring Focalistic.

Verdict

Timeless is obviously Davido’s best album yet, the replay value is unbelievably high, despite having 17 tracks. Everything about this body of work is intentional and well put together, from the production and careful selection of features. It is clear that Davido chose a different sonic direction from his previous albums.

Overall, there aren’t too many risks. He sticks to his newfound sound which leans heavily on the Nigerian interpretation of Amapiano (Afro-piano). Which allows for an easy listen without being derailed. ‘Timeless’ is a reassertion of Davido’s credibility as one of the greatest artists of his generation.

Accolades & Recognition

Timeless debuted at number 37 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 17,000 units in its first week. 
The album also debuted at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the second Nigerian album to debut in the top 10 (after Burna Boy's Love, Damini). Tallying 14.5 million streams during the week of March 31 through April 6, the album surpassed Love, Damini to become the biggest debut for any album on Spotify Nigeria.

The album also broke the record for the biggest debut week on Apple Music Nigeria, and set a new record for the most streamed African album in a single day on Apple Music. The album received over 12 million streams in its first 24 hours on Audiomack, and had the biggest week ever recorded for any African album on the platform.

Timeless shattered the record for the biggest debut week ever recorded on Boomplay Nigeria; it amassed over 22 million streams four days after its release and surpassed the platform's previous record of 18.8 million streams held by Love, Damini. - source, Wikipedia.

Timeless made it onto Billboard’s “Top 50 Best Albums of 2023,” ranked number thirty-nine on the esteemed chart. The list also included Drake’s “For All the Dogs,” Metro Boomin’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” Lil Yachty’s “Let’s Start Here,” Doja Cat’s “Scarlet,” and many more.

 “Timeless is a triumph and a landmark album in the global explosion of Afrobeats.”

— DAN RYS, Billboard.

 A year later, Davido received three nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for "Unavailable", "Feel" and his album "Timeless," in addition to his three nominations at the 55th NAACP Image Awards. 

A Timeless Legacy

Davido had been written off by many. While the world watched his peers, Wizkid and Burna Boy, ascend to newer heights and gain recognition on the international scene with multiple Grammy nominations and awards, Davido was notably absent from that prestigious list for two years straight. Deep down, he knew it was a feat he had to accomplish not just for recognition, but also for personal pride and satisfaction.

Then came "Timeless," his magnum opus that arrived at the perfect time. Rarely do artists make comebacks like he did; it was close to unprecedented. Though he may have missed out on the Grammy awards, he won the hearts of many with his tale of resilience and triumph. 

From his personal and global records shattered to multiple awards and nominations, this project breathed new life into Davido's illustrious career, placing him back on the pedestal he rightfully deserves and solidifying his position not only as a musician but also as a cultural icon. Additionally, Timeless introduced us to two new talents in Morravey  and Logos Olori, primed to carry the DMW legacy in the years to come."