Stake Taps Nigerian Icon Davido to Expand Global Reach and Cultural Influence

The iGaming brand Stake has announced its collaboration with Davido, the American-Nigerian singer and songwriter that is disrupting the afrobeats scene. The partnership, described as a “celebration of ambition, creativity, and global influence” by Stake, will see the superstar engage in giveaways and interactive activities with his fans.

In what follows, we break down Davido’s successful career, starting with his formative years, rise to stardom, and international trajectory.

Early years and the beginnings of a life-passion for music

Born David Adedeji Adeleke in 1992, Davido was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the son of Nigerian business mogul Adedeji Adeleke and the late Vero Adeleke, a university lecturer. As the youngest of five siblings and his father’s third son, Davido’s early life involved a blend of international experiences and familial ties.

His initial education took place at the British International School in Lagos. At 16, he moved to the United States to study business administration at Oakwood University. However, his academic path took an unexpected turn as he began exploring his musical inclinations. During his time at Oakwood, Davido invested in music equipment and started producing his own tracks. He also formed a musical group, KB International, with his cousins B-Red and Sina Rambo, marking his first steps into the music industry.

Davido has cited his mother as an inspiration, instilling in him a love for music. “My mom loved throwing parties,” the star said in conversation with Flaunt. “That’s like one of the first times I loved the intimate partying, dancing, loving different musicians.”

“I was a big Ja’ Rule fan, 50 Cent, everybody though, but I think from my mom, that’s what made me become a big entertainment,” he added.

Driven by his growing passion, Davido ultimately left Oakwood University to pursue music full-time, relocating to London to refine his vocal skills. In 2011, realising the American market was not ready for the sort of music he was proposing, Davido returned to Nigeria. There, he enrolled at Babcock University to honor his father’s wishes, eventually graduating with a degree in music in 2015.

Having lived both in Nigeria and the States, the experience inevitably shaped Davido’s understanding of sound and culture. Ultimately, this influenced his artistry, which combines Afrobeats, hip hop and R&B.

The Baddest Album and the Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) Label

Following his initial album, Davido continued to solidify his presence in the music scene between 2013 and 2016 through a series of notable single releases and the unveiling of projects like The Baddest and the Son of Mercy EP.

In February 2013, he dropped the track Gobe, produced by Shizzi. The song quickly gained traction, earning a high ranking in Premium Times’ list of top songs for that year. Critics praised its lively and engaging composition. Davido followed this success with One of a Kind in May 2013, also a product of Shizzi’s production.

August 2013 saw the release of Skelewu, another hit that resonated widely, securing a spot among the top tracks of the year. Around that time, Davido actively engaged fans with an instructional dance video and a Skelewu dance competition.

The momentum continued into 2014 with the release of Aye in February, a T-Spize-produced track whose Clarence Peters-directed video told a compelling love story. A significant collaboration followed in April 2014 with the South African duo Mafikizolo on Tchelete (Goodlife), produced by Oskido and Shizzi.

More high-profile collaborations followed during this period, including Africa Rising in June 2014, a DStv campaign song featuring a Pan-African ensemble of artists. In June 2015, Davido ventured into trap music with Fans Mi, featuring American rapper Meek Mill, generating considerable buzz before its release.

Davido’s highly anticipated album, The Baddest, faced several delays from its initial June 2015 release date due to distribution interests. The album promised a star-studded lineup of producers and guest artists. In a significant career move in January 2016, Davido announced his signing with Sony Music, a deal that sparked varied reactions within the industry. Shortly after, he established his own label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), which has since signed several artists.

International Success and Critical Acclaim with “If” and “Fall”

Davido’s international impact grew significantly in 2017. He won Best African Act at the MOBO Awards. In February, he released If, produced by Tekno, who also helped write it. The music video for If became a massive hit online, with over 172 million views, making it one of his most popular.

The song sold so well in South Africa it earned diamond status. At The Headies 2018, “If” won Best Pop Single and Song of the Year. Critics described it as a smooth song with a simple, uncluttered beat. The music video, filmed in London, even inspired a clothing line with Orange Culture.

He followed this in June 2017 with Fall, which used a sample from Kojo Funds. Fall also went platinum in South Africa and became a global search hit on Shazam, even reaching the top 10 in New York. By early 2019, it was the longest-charting Nigerian pop song on the Billboard charts. Pitchfork listed it as one of the best songs of the decade.

November 2017 saw the release of Fia, produced by Fresh VDM, a neo-highlife track. In the lyrics, Davido addressed his arrest and rumors spread by Caroline Danjuma. Critics praised his songwriting for touching on personal issues without being too explicit. Fia was nominated for awards at The Headies 2018, and its music video was directed by Clarence Peters. A remix with Stefflon Don came out in March 2018, adding a different vocal style.

Davido also won Best African Act at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards. In April 2018, he released Assurance, dedicating it to his girlfriend on her birthday. The song was praised for its clear message of love. He then won Best International Act at the 2018 BET Awards, the first African artist to receive the award on the main stage, where he encouraged people to visit Africa.

In late 2018, Davido toured the US as part of The Locked Up Tour, including shows in Boston. He also performed at the Made in America Festival with major American artists, showing his growing international profile.

Collaborations with Chris Brown, Shizzi, and Popcaan

In January 2019, Davido achieved a significant milestone by selling out London’s O2 Arena. He was the first African solo artist to do this since Wizkid in 2018. Actor Idris Elba introduced him, and Davido performed his hits with the band The Compozers. A Guardian review praised his stage presence, noting influences from American rappers he’d collaborated with.

July 2019 saw the release of Blow My Mind, featuring Chris Brown and produced by Shizzi. It was initially planned as the lead single for his upcoming album. The song’s music video quickly broke records, reaching one million views on YouTube in just 11 hours, faster than any previous Nigerian music video. It also set a new record for the most views within its first 24 hours.

Davido followed this with Risky in October 2019, featuring Jamaican artist Popcaan, who had previously collaborated with Davido. The music video for Risky, directed by Meji Alabi, was inspired by the TV show Top Boy and featured a storyline of betrayal within their crew.

His second studio album, A Good Time, was released on November 22, 2019. It included his earlier hits like If, Fall, Assurance, Blow My Mind, and Risky. Davido recorded the album in Atlanta, wanting a fresh environment. Davido described A Good Time as an album for everyone, mainly featuring Afrobeats but with touches of other genres. He announced the album title in Lagos in September 2019 and previewed some tracks. By July 2020, A Good Time had surpassed one billion streams across various online platforms, marking a major success.

Crafting the FIFA World Cup 2022 Song and Creating his Own Festival

In May 2020, Billboard magazine featured Davido alongside Mr Eazi and Tiwa Savage on its cover, highlighting the Africa Now music scene. In a video interview, they discussed life during the pandemic and the growing global recognition of Afrobeats.

Davido then announced his third album, A Better Time, revealing he’d recorded 11 tracks quickly and that it would feature Tiwa Savage. In July 2020, he performed a medley of D&G and Fall on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. That August, the Grammy Museum hosted Davido for an online mentorship session. In September 2020, he released the single FEM, produced by Dammy Twitch, along with its music video.

A Better Time dropped in November 2020, featuring major international artists like Lil Baby, Nicki Minaj, Nas, Chris Brown, and Young Thug. Davido recorded this album after his North American tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a surprising move in November 2021, Davido playfully asked his fans and colleagues on social media to send him one million naira each. He raised 200 million naira, added 50 million of his own, and donated the entire sum to Nigerian orphanages.

In March 2022, Davido collaborated on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 official song Hayya Hayya (Better Together) with American singer Trinidad Cardona and Qatari singer Aisha. May 2022 saw the release of Stand Strong, produced by Pheelz and featuring the Sunday Service Choir, his first solo track of the year.

In September 2022, Davido announced his own annual music festival, Are We African Yet (A.W.A.Y), which debuted in Atlanta in November 2022 with performances from other Nigerian artists.

Fourth Studio Album, Timeless, and the Nine+ Records Label

Looking ahead, in June 2022, Davido told Rolling Stone his fourth album, Timeless, was almost done. He announced its release for March 31, 2023, with a trailer featuring tour footage. Timeless was his first album in three years. He explained that the title, suggested by producer Don Jazzy, reflected his aim for the album to be a lasting classic.

The 17-track album featured collaborations with Skepta, Angelique Kidjo, Asake, and others, with production from various talents. Primarily an amapiano album, Timeless also explored dancehall, highlife, and Afropop sounds. The second single, Unavailable, gained international traction, charting in several European countries. A remix with American rapper Latto was released in August 2023.

Davido received three Grammy nominations for Timeless and Unavailable at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2023, he was featured on Chris Brown’s single Sensational, which became his first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In early 2024, he received three NAACP Image Award nominations.

In April 2024, Davido launched the record company Nine+ Records in partnership with UnitedMasters. He announced in December 2024 that his fifth studio album, 5ive, would be released in March 2025, with a second single sampling a classic Brenda Fassie song.

Venturing into the world of iGaming with Stake

The Davido x Stake collaboration, recently announced, marks the Afrobeats artists incursion into the sector of iGaming. The latter is an umbrella term that includes various online gambling activities and products from slots to casino table games and betting on sports. Currently, the industry is flourishing across the world thanks to greater connectivity and access to the internet, popular sports competitions, and high-profile strategic collaborations with celebrities and well-known figures.

This strategic partnership, in particular, will see Davido as a brand ambassador for Stake. Similarly to Canadian hip-hop sensation Drake, the Afrobeats star will participate in giveaways, exclusive promotions, and immersive digital campaigns.

On the partnership, Stake said the following: “Davido’s dynamic presence and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with Stake’s mission to revolutionize the world of entertainment and online betting. Both brands share a bold, forward-thinking approach to culture, engagement, and community.”

“This partnership is more than a brand alignment; it’s a celebration of ambition, creativity, and global influence. Together, we’re crafting a new era of interactive entertainment where fans are not just spectators, but part of the experience,” added the online gambling operator through its official website.