Davido doesn’t make quiet entrances — and his fifth studio album, 5ive, is no exception. He knows the spotlight is his, and once again, he’s stepping into it with that familiar mix of swagger and rhythm. Davido’s 5ive lands at a pivotal point in his career. He’s no longer the hungry newcomer trying to prove himself, and he’s well past the phase of simply chasing hits.
This album feels like Davido taking a beat to reflect on how far he’s come in his career and personal life. The question is — did he strike gold again, or does 5ive play it safe?
Let’s break it down.
Davido via Instagram
Davido’s 5ive: Track by Track Review
Davido’s 5ive starts by telling us what it is– “a number that speaks of balance and a colossus of sound and spirit”. In moving spoken word, Alhanislam sheds light on the project, revealing Davido’s special connection with the number five in his family, his music, and his artistic persona.
From the moving intro, we’re introduced to familiar sounds with Anything. Avid Davido listeners can attest to the fact that the Afrobeats star usually begins his album on a disruptive note. The first song typically speaks of motivation with enemy-defying stances. With Timeless, it was Ova Dem, with A Better Time, it was FEM. This trend continues with Davido’s 5ive, and it’s one I’m thoroughly pleased with.
Be There Still and CFMF sound like hits in the making. While I can admit they sound rather commercial, I can also admit that commercial sounds work for Davido. The choruses in both songs are hits and I bet we’ll be getting TikTok dance routines to them in no time.
Body of 5ive
Now that we’re at the meat of the album, we see Davido lean just a little into his early 2010s sound with 10 Kilo. The lyrics are hilarious and oddly familiar and the rhythm is every bit as nostalgic. I don’t know who Orobo 10 Kilo is, but she sure as hell is being serenaded on this track. (I’m a bit jealous. I too, would like to be serenaded)
So far, on Davido’s 5ive, the Afrobeats giant has carried on with solo sounds. But the collaborations start rolling in on track six. Davido features Victoria Monet on Offa Me, and the chemistry is through the roof. Not sure how he does it, but a good chunk of Davido’s international collaborations are always a hit.
Don’t Know should’ve come earlier in the album as it leans back towards classic Afrobeats sounds with log drums and shakers. Between Offa Me and R&B, it sounds just a tad bit misplaced.
On R&B, Davido features Shensea and 450, and the three create a steady-paced song with an insanely catchy chorus. Following that is Awuke featuring YG Marley, which needs no further introduction.
Next on Davido’s 5ive is Holy Water featuring, wait for it… Victony and Musa Keys. At the risk of sounding biased, Victony and Keys are certainly what this song needed. The acapella drums, clapping drums, shakers, and string instruments instantly complement Musa Keys’ opening chorus, giving the rest of the song solid legs to stand on. Gotta admit, Victony and Musa Keys almost stole the show from Davido on this one.
From Holy Water, 5ive gives us Nuttin Dey, another familiar-sounding rhythm that comes off a bit unimpressive. However, the backup vocals save the day and do a good job of giving the song some much needed flair.
Next, we have Titanium featuring Chris Brown, and I’m telling you, I’m yet to hear a bad song by these two.
As Davido’s 5ive winds down, more Amapiano-inspired sounds and traditional rhythms come to life on Lately and Lover Boy featuring Tayc & Dadju.
Tek features Becky G and leans towards dancehall rhythms. In my opinion, this is another well-executed song feature with a catchy chorus that’s sure to appeal to the global audience.
Davido clearly saved the best for last with Funds and With You. The former features Odumodublvck and Chike in a song that pays tribute to the late Brenda Fassie. I thought they did a solid job on the song, regardless of the criticism it got.
Finally, Davido’s 5ive ends with With You featuring Omah Lay and the two display undeniable chemistry on the track.
Final Thoughts on Davido’s 5ive
Davido’s 5ive album cover art via Instagram
Overall, Davido’s 5ive was a solid project, although it stands on shaky waters regarding cohesion and flow. There were no bad features, and putting the few overly commercial songs aside, it stands to be one of his best yet.
According to Spotify, 5ive is now the No. 1 debut global album. It has also made the record for being the first African album in 2025 to debut at No. 1 globally and No. 3 in USA Spotify Charts. Talk about making a statement!
When comparing Davido’s 5ive to his previous projects, Timeless certainly stands higher. However, 5ive remains a solid project worth listening to as it also boasts of an insane replay value.
Let’s break it down:
- Album Cohesion & Flow: 6/10
- Vocals & Performance: 9/10
- Track Arrangement: 5/10
- Replay Value: 9.5/10
- Production & Instrumentation: 7/10
Do you agree with my review of Davido’s 5ive? Head to our social media pages and let us know what you think!
