In 2012, Nigerian recording artiste, David Adeleke, who is better known as Davido, released his debut studio album, Omo Baba Olowo, which means Son of a Rich Man in his native Yoruba language.
His debut album, ‘Omo Baba Olowo’, dubbed OBO, was more than just a music project. It was an integral music project that needed to emerge due to the classism that is prominent in various sectors of Davido’s home country, Nigeria. The music project is a statement not only to the talent and proficiency of Davido’s musical ability, but also a means of breaking free from his renowned father, Mr Adedeji Adeleke’s influence over his teenage son.
Davido won the admiration of Nigerians through his vicious work ethic and ability to keep creating music against all odds. The album emerged after Wizkid released his fascinating debut album, ‘Superstar’, in 2011. The album served as the commencement of a new era in Afrobeats as it ushered in a younger demography who were able to experience technology and entertainment on a different scale. A decade before the release of Wizkid’s Superstar and Davido’s OBO, the 2000s were spearheaded by P-Square, Mo’Hits’ D’banj, Don Jazzy, and Wande Coal.
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While Wizkid was able to endear himself into the hearts of Nigerians following the release of hits such as ‘Holla at your boy’, ‘Tease me’ and ‘Pakurumo’, Davido had to work twice as hard just prove to his audience that he isn’t just another spoilt brat who is here to flaunt daddy’s wealth and talk about his lifestyle as a billionaire kid.
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Omo Baba Olowo: Against All Odds, Davido Shares Vision with the World
When Omo Baba Olowo first debuted in 2012, it was met with predominantly negative remarks from music critics and pundits. According to pundits, Davido’s work lacked depth and isn’t comprehensive enough to be a full music album.
In a review for Nigerian Entertainment Today, Ayomide Tayo awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5, saying Davido’s “songwriting skills could be better and his voice could be better groomed“. Moreover, Tayo criticized the album’s producers for “failing to cover up Davido’s failings as an artiste” Tobi Amoo of Hip Hop World Magazine gave the album 1 star out of 5, stating: “David’s debut album fails to strike that balance; not only does it not have enough hits to leave any impression as to his talents as a recording artiste, it possesses too many songs of the same mediocre quality, leading you to wonder if there will be a follow-up attempt or if indeed there need be.” Despite the criticism from music experts, Davido was able to share his vision and objective with the world, especially Nigerians who began stealthily began to accept him for his mettle for prominence, before he eventually became one of the major flagbearers of Afrobeats in Nigeria.
Was Davido’s Debut Album Really That Bad?
While music critics tried as much as possible to demean Davido’s growing influence in the public, his debut album, though not one of the most influential of its era, is impossible to deny that the project had several impressive tracks that would still serve as major hits in modern times. Songs such as ‘Dami Duro’, ‘Back when’, featuring rapper Naeto C, and ‘Ekuro’ are still very popular with the Nigerian populace, and he has been able to perform them across other nations. This simply explains that music is created for the entertainment of the masses and not necessarily for the pragmatic analysis of music critics and naysayers.
Additionally, Omo Baba Olowo at the time bagged numerous awards and marked the commencement of Davido’s illustrious music career. Omo Baba Olowo won Best R&B/Pop Album and received a nomination for Album of the Year at The Headies 2013. It was also nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
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Conclusion: Almost Two Decades and Five Albums Later
Davido has since become a marquee name in the Nigerian entertainment industry. He has bagged several awards across the globe and is one of the most decorated musicians in contemporary music history; the singer-songwriter has come a long way indeed. Following the release of Omo Baba Olowo in 2012, Davido released his sophomore album, A Good Time in 2019, the immediate follow-up, A Better Time in 2020, then Timeless in 2023, and most recently, 5ive.
