001 is back. The rumours are true, Nigeria pop star Davido is back from a well-deserved hiatus and he’s already whetting our appetites for new music. For months, Davido’s return has been at the height of social media conversations as fans held on to his cryptic tweet “See You In March” shared in a moment of proximity with his fans last December.

Wasting no time to make good on his promises for new music to our ears, Davido arrives today with the announcement of his fourth studio album ‘Timeless’ with a cinematic trailer recounting the travails he’s been through in the past year. With unbridled confidence and limitless audacity, Davido pens a letter to his fans and well-wishers, thanking them for their support on his journey and inviting them to the next phase of his career-defining ride.

 

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Since his debut on the scene in 2017 with “Dami Duro,” Davido has edged out the competition with ease. From his debut album ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ with standout tracks such as “Back When,” “Ekuro,” “For You,” and more, he’s consistently spoken directly with his audience through his music and bypassed naysayers on his way to the top. His omnivorous album fast-tracked Davido’s name as a household name in Afropop history. While his return to a cohesive body of work didn’t come till almost seven years later, Davido never strayed from the limelight, keeping his legion of fans satisfied with groovy cuts and meme-able chrouses from 2017’s “FIA” and “Fall” to 2018’s “Assurance,” and more recent cuts such as Popcaan-assisted “Risky,” “FEM” and “Ke Star” featuring Focalistic.

Indeed, there’s little need for a reminder about Davido’s expansive catalogue and his place in Afropop’s ever-evolving canon. With the forthcoming release of ‘Timeless’ Davido brings to full picture the decade-long journey to the top of his game. In the video montage, Davido reflects on his journey by mapping out key moments in his career from his rebellious spirit in “Dami Duro” to his current standing as an artist commanding global audiences and selling out stadiums. He sings “If they wan turn Goaliath, I be Davido for life,” his voice vibrating with resilience and determination for his next act.

 

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In the trailer for ‘Timeless,’ the videos were baked into the music in a cinematic style which set the tone for where Davido could go sonically and thematically. Considering it’s been a while since he heard new Davido music, the Amapiano production which had the famed Magicsticks tagline brings a fresh excitement to the album and could portend the album’s experimentation. The scenes set in the rural, vegetative setting also hint at Davido’s immersion into the natural world, a pairing that foreshadows the album’s themes.

Coming from ‘A Good Time’ and it’s follow-up ‘A Better Time’, the artist’s exploration of familial values has been filtered through upbeat bops and the occasional introspective cut. ‘ABT’ was especially poignant as it charted a straight course from his motivations as a global artist to homeward considerations of his legacy, most strikingly captured on “The Best,” which features his protege Mayorkun.

With ‘Timeless’ establishing the associative moods of melancholy and triumph, it’s expected that Davido’s perspective has matured in a new light, especially after the unfortunate event that led to his absence on social media since last year. For a musician who is most potent when providing insight into his personal life, it’s clear that this ‘Timeless’ era in Davido’s storied career has all the potential to become an all-time high for Afropop. It’s his time.

Pre-save the album below and watch the trailer.

Written by Emmanuel Esomnofu and Tami Makinde 

ICYMI: Revisit our TIME cover story on Davido here