As Davido marks 15 years in the music industry, The Nation presents 15 songs that capture his rise from a young Nigerian artist in 2011 to a global Afrobeats star.
The selection spans his debut era to his most recent international releases, showing how he has shaped his sound over time while helping push Afrobeats onto the world stage.
Davido reflected on the milestone and credited divine timing for his journey.
“God is the best of all planners! 15 years in da game,” he wrote on X.
In addition, the anniversary aligns with his 2026 induction into Atlanta’s Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame, further recognising his influence in global music culture.
Early Breakout Years
At the start of his career, he introduced himself with Back When and Dami Duro in 2011.
These songs established him as a bold new voice in Nigerian music and quickly positioned him as one of the most exciting young talents in the industry.
Global Rise And Davido Breakthrough Hits
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As his career progressed, he released major hits such as Skelewu, Aye, and Fans Mi.
Consequently, these tracks expanded his reach beyond Nigeria and strengthened his presence in international markets.
By 2017, he achieved a breakthrough year with IF, Fall, and FIA.
Notably, Fall broke records, dominated charts, and earned international certification, confirming his global appeal.
Continued Relevance And Impact
Furthermore, he followed up with Assurance, Blow My Mind featuring Chris Brown, and FEM.
These songs demonstrated his versatility, while FEM also became a cultural voice during the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
More recently, he collaborated on Unavailable with Musa Keys and With You with Omah Lay.
As a result, these tracks achieved major streaming milestones and earned award nominations, reinforcing his continued relevance in global music.
Ultimately, these 15 songs trace a consistent and evolving journey
They show how Davido built his career step by step, adapted to changing sounds, and established himself as one of the leading figures in Afrobeats worldwide.
