Chart-topping success does not always begin with instant approval, and for Nigerian singer and Grammy nominee Davido, one of his biggest recent records almost never saw the light of day. The Afrobeats star has revealed that With You, his collaboration with Omah Lay, was initially overlooked during the final selection process for his 5IVE album.
Davido made the disclosure during an interview with OkayAfrica, later reposted by music platform HYPETRIBE, where he reflected on how close the song came to being excluded. According to him, internal listening sessions failed to generate excitement around the track, with none of his team members ranking it among their top picks.
“Man, it’s so crazy because that song almost didn’t make the album. With You was not in anybody’s top five,” he said.
The singer admitted that the song’s eventual breakthrough has since become a deeply emotional experience for him. He noted that each performance of the track serves as a reminder of how narrowly it escaped being shelved.
“And now look at it go. Every time I was performing it, my heart would just start beating like, what if I didn’t put this song?” he added.
Contrary to its modest beginnings, With You has gone on to achieve remarkable success. The track earned Davido another Grammy nomination and has emerged as one of his most commercially successful releases in recent years, topping charts and surpassing 100 million streams on Spotify.
Davido also shared how he learned about the Grammy nomination, describing the moment as completely unexpected. He recalled receiving the call while he was in Dubai, only days before his birthday, as he stepped out to inspect a car.
“They were like, ‘Oh yeah, another nomination.’ I was like, wow. Thank God,” he said.
Looking ahead, the award-winning artist said his attention is now firmly on touring and releasing new music. He confirmed that he will perform at Coachella 2026, a milestone that makes him the only Nigerian artist announced on the festival’s lineup.
Davido is scheduled to perform on both Saturdays, April 11 and April 18, 2026, in Indio, California, as part of the globally renowned music festival.
“Going back on tour, definitely more music. I’m about to do Coachella. Big plans,” he said.
The revelation underscores Davido’s evolving creative journey and highlights how instinct, risk, and persistence continue to shape his global success.