As the biblical David conquered the over-confident Goliath and laughed last, so did the Afrobeats sensation, David Adeleke (Davido) subdue his army of critics who had cast a doubt in his ability to record a blast in Ibadan less than 24 hours after his Coca Cola Arena show in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate capital.
Davido’s 5Alive Tour practically brought out an exceptionally gifted musician in him such that 34, 000 cheering fans forgot his Dubai show. He is, thereby, declared as the artiste to achieve such a feat on a nationwide stadium tour.
The concert was a sold out show that overstretched the aging facilities of the Liberty Stadium constructed by late Western Region Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and opened for use in 1960.
A week to the concert, truck bearing equipments such as stage, lighting, sound system and other essentials, drove into the massive sport complex standing on off Oke Ado and overlooking Ring Road.
The arrival of the heavy load and personnel was indicative of a big concert to be witnessed not only by ordinary fans of Davido but also by distinguished functionaries in Osun and Oyo State Government led by Governor Ademola Adeleke and Governor Seyi Makinde, the latter was said to have bought and given out hundreds of tickets to ensure the success of the show.
Both governors and members of their respective cabinets, including Houses of Assembly Speakers, Mr Adewale Egbedun and Mr Debo Ogundoyin, were seated at a spot that gave them visual advantage.
They received Davido’s acknowledgement amidst wild ovation of charged fans who were singing along with him while doing tracks such as “Madamiduro”, “Unavailable”, “If”, “Risky”, “Feel”, “Fall”.
Davido’s work rate was on a devil-may-care pace, a contrast to one expected to have given in to fatigue following his Dubai performance.
One of many things that keep working for his seemingly unstoppable ascension is said to be his openness to upcoming artistes as seen in sharing the stage with Mayorku who also thrilled the large audience.
Former President of the Entertainment Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN), Deacon Tope Olukole was swept off his feet by Davido’s outing which Olukole described as a triumphant homecoming, recalling Davido’s early days in 2009/2010 as a singing student of the Babcock University. He noted that Ibadan was one of the first cities to believe in him and his evolving talent.
Davido corroborated Olukole’s reference in few words he left on his official X (twitter), remembering how he escaped the classrom at the Babcock and performed in Ibadan in 2011.
He wrote, “In 2011, I skipped school to perform in Ibadan. Asa, Peju, B Red, and Sina picked me up from Babcock, and we drove to join the Lynxxx and Friends Tour. I had no idea it was going to air on Soundcity, and when my pops saw it, I got in so much trouble.”
Talking on the Liberty Stadium concert, Olukole asserted that it was a testament to Davido’s enduring popularity and the power of Afrobeats to unite people.
“As he performed, it was clear that he was in his element, feeding off the energy of the crowd and giving back in equal measure. The night was a celebration of music, love, and community, and it left everyone in attendance feeling electrified and inspired,” he noted.
Another entertainment journalist, Mr Rotimi Ige saw a big prospect in such concert if a few lapses experienced were fixed. Assuringly, Ige said Ibadan can conveniently host a bigger concert, also recalling previous ones hosted from 2016 to 2019 and branded the Ibadan Countdown Festival which featured 2baba, Mayorkun, Davido, Don Jazzy, the Mavin crew, and other artistes.
All that is needed to do to achieve the success, according to Ige, is government’s investment into the industry to boost the state economy.
“For Davido’s concert alone, statistics show that various vendors from hotels to food sellers made over 200 million naira. The potential to grow the state economy through entertainment must be harnessed as soon as possible seeing how this particular event has exposed the opportunities therein,” he advised.
To Emmanuel Daraloye, another entertainment writer, the concert lived up to its expectations, in terms of turnout of fans, describing it as “a perfect appetizer before Detty December.”
He added, “The concert just shows that Ibadan is a good destination for merriment after Lagos. One of the domino effects of this concert is that more artistes, brands and companies will like to experiment with Ibadan going forward.”
A unique feature of Davido’s personality, which has rated him above his contemporaries in music, is his demonstrable humility to the cultural heritage of his Yoruba root.
Notwithstanding his megastar status as a global citizen, he is most often seen smiling, bowing and prostrating to the elders in private as well as public fora in display of his right upbringing by parents, Dr Deji Adeleke and late Dr Veronica Adeleke, who gave birth to him in the US in 1992.
And in honour of his mother, an academic, Davido recently donated a hostel to the Clifford University, Abia State at the instititution’s convocation where he dropped words of inspiration to the graduands and students.
In 2024 alone, Davido won three nominations at the 66th edition of the internationally respected Grammy Award–Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance and Best African Music Performance.
The 5Alive Tour offered fans another opportunity to see and assess his passion and ability to maintain his lead among fellow Afrobeats acts with whom he shares international limelight.
“While many of his peers fight to stay relevant, Davido keeps evolving, growing, and dominating like the story just began. Every time people count him out, he shows up stronger, sharper, and louder than ever,” a fan affirmed.
Yet another fan enthused that Davido is a thorough artiste who does not compromise hardwork or seek a shortcut to the climax of his career.
“He never needed comparisons, or clout — just pure talent, consistency, and heart. That’s why he’s not just an artist — he’s a movement. Davido is the blueprint,” the fan submitted.
TheTabloid.net gathered that the 5ive Alive Tour is scheduled to also hold in Abuja and Lagos.
Davido confirmed, saying, “Abuja and Lagos up next, but next stop is ATL for my birthday, State Farm Arena on November 20th.”
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