Davido vs. Wizkid: Who Is the True Afrobeat G.O.A.T. of Africa?
Two Afrobeats stars rose to fame in Lagos. Although they came from different backgrounds, both changed the music world.
Davido was born David Adedeji Adeleke in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1992. He was the son of a wealthy businessman, which gave him privilege and pressure. Davido had a powerful voice and loved music.
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Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, was born in 1990 in Surulere, a tough area in Lagos. He grew up in a modest family and worked hard to succeed. He recorded his first song when he was just 11 years old. In 2009, he signed with Empire Mates Entertainment. His first big hit, “Holla at Your Boy,” came out in 2011 on his album Superstar. This song changed everything for him.
Davido and Wizkid are two big names in Afrobeats. They have sparked debates all over Africa and beyond. Fans often ask, “Who is the true G.O.A.T.?” Let’s look at their hit songs, albums, awards, endorsements, top features, and global fame. We will use the data to find the answer.
1. Hit Songs
Hit songs are determined by how well they perform on charts. They also depend on streaming numbers. Certifications show their popularity. Lastly, a song’s cultural impact plays a big role. All these factors together make a song a hit.
Davido
- Notable Hits: “Dami Duro” (2011), “Gobe” (2013), “Aye” (2014), “Skelewu” (2013), “If” (2017), “Fall” (2017), “FIA” (2017), “Jowo” (2020), “Unavailable” (2023).
- Streaming Numbers: Davido‘s songs are very popular. His song “Fall” has over 115 million views on YouTube. By 2019, it became a global anthem. On Boomplay, his songs have been streamed 638 million times. On YouTube, his entire catalog has a total of 1.7 billion views. This shows how much people love his music.
- Billboard Performance: Davido is a popular artist. He has 19 hit songs that are famous around the world. Out of those, 13 songs reached the top 10 in just one week after they were released. This shows how quickly people love his music.
- Certifications: Davido has many popular songs. Some of his hits are “Fall,” “If,” “Blow My Mind,” and “Unavailable.” These songs have received certifications from different countries. This shows how much people love his music.
- Cultural Impact: Davido’s songs are popular at parties. They have a catchy, anthem-like vibe. People love to play them during celebrations in Africa and around the world. His music brings energy and excitement to any event.
Wizkid
- Notable Hits: “Holla at Your Boy” (2010), “Ojuelegba” (2014), “Come Closer” (2017), “Soco” (2018), “Joro” (2019), “Essence” (2020), “Ginger” (2020), “Piece of My Heart” (2024).
- Streaming Numbers: Wizkid‘s music is very popular. His songs have 396 million streams on Boomplay and 1.3 billion views on YouTube. On Spotify, his music has 9.5 billion streams. One of his biggest hits is “Essence.” It is loved all over the world.
- Billboard Performance: Wizkid is a famous musician. He has 21 hit songs that are popular all over the world. Twelve of these songs reached the top 10 just one week after being released. One of his songs, “Essence,” made history. It was the first Nigerian song to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Certifications: In 2023, Wizkid earned more than 30 music certifications. These include popular songs like “Essence,” “Joro,” “Ginger,” and “Come Closer.” His music is successful and keeps getting recognition, which shows how talented he is as an artist.
- Cultural Impact: Wizkid has made a significant impact with his songs. His hit “Essence” has helped spread Afrobeats music around the world. Many artists, like Doja Cat and Sarkodie, have been inspired by his work. They are now incorporating Afrobeats into their own music. This shows how powerful Wizkid‘s influence is in the music industry.
Verdict
Wizkid has more hit songs than Davido. This is largely because of the global success of his song “Essence.” Wizkid has had 13 songs in the Billboard Top 10, while Davido has had 12. However, Davido‘s songs “Fall” and “If” are very popular in certain regions. Wizkid also has more certifications, which shows he reaches a wider international audience.
2. Number of Albums
Albums show what an artist can do and how they maintain their style. They collect songs that represent the artist’s journey. Each song contributes to the overall theme. This consistency helps listeners connect with the artist and builds a strong fan base.
Davido
- Studio Albums (5):
- Omo Baba Olowo (2012)
- A Good Time (2019)
- A Better Time (2020)
- Timeless (2023)
- 5ive (2025)
- EPs/Other Projects:
- Son of Mercy (EP, 2016)
- Output:
- Davido’s albums are widely popular. Omo Baba Olowo propelled him to early fame, while Timeless broke streaming records and attracted massive listenership. His discography consistently appeals to a broad fanbase.
Wizkid
- Studio Albums (6):
- Superstar (2011)
- Ayo (2014)
- Sounds from the Other Side (2017)
- Made in Lagos (2020)
- More Love, Less Ego (2022)
- Morayo (2024)
- EPs/Other Projects:
- Soundman Vol. 1 (EP, 2019)
- Output:
- Wizkid’s albums enjoy critical acclaim and widespread popularity. Made in Lagos is especially celebrated for blending Afrobeats with R&B and reggae influences. His debut album, Superstar, set a high benchmark for his career.
Verdict
Wizkid has released six studio albums, compared to Davido’s five. While Davido’s Timeless rivals Wizkid’s albums in commercial success, Made in Lagos garners more critical acclaim. Overall, Wizkid holds a slight edge due to his larger discography and stronger critical reception.
3. Total Number of Awards and Nominations
Awards and nominations reflect industry recognition.
Davido
- Awards Won: At least 100 awards, including:
- 2 BET Awards (Best International Act: Africa – 2014, 2018)
- MTV Africa Music Awards
- Channel O Music Video Awards
- 8 Headies Awards
- 5 AFRIMA Awards (2023)
- Nominations: 87 nominations, including:
- 3 Grammy nominations (2024)
- 3 NAACP Image Award nominations (2024)
- Key Wins:
- Dominated the AFRIMA 2023 with 5 awards, including Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music and Best Artist in African Pop.
Wizkid
- Awards Won: At least 156 awards, including:
- Grammy Award (2021 for Brown Skin Girl)
- 4 BET Awards
- 3 Billboard Music Awards
- 6 MOBO Awards
- 3 Soul Train Awards
- 8 Headies Awards
- Nominations: Over 222 nominations, including:
- 5 Grammy nominations (e.g., Best Global Music Album for Made in Lagos)
- Key Wins:
- Most awarded African artist at:
- BET Awards (4)
- MOBO Awards (6)
- Soul Train Awards (3)
Verdict
Wizkid leads with 156 awards and over 222 nominations, surpassing Davido’s 100 awards and 87 nominations. Wizkid’s Grammy win and extensive international recognition strengthen his global profile, whereas Davido excels particularly in AFRIMA awards but has fewer international accolades.
4. Total Number of Endorsement Deals
Endorsements reflect marketability and brand value.
Davido
- Known Deals:
- MTN Nigeria (2012 — ₦30 million; face of MTN Pulse)
- Guinness Nigeria (2013)
- Multiple undisclosed deals, with estimates suggesting high-value contracts due to his 54.4 million social media followers
- Impact:
- Davido’s endorsement earnings contribute significantly to his estimated $30 million net worth (source: TheCityCeleb.com). His billionaire family background, charisma, and strong Nigerian market presence attract numerous lucrative deals.
- Note:
- Exact figures for many deals remain undisclosed, but his broad appeal consistently secures high-value endorsements.
Wizkid
- Known Deals:
- Pepsi (2012 — $350,000)
- CIROC (2018 — a collaboration involving Sean “Diddy” Combs)
- Other partnerships with brands like Nike and United Bank for Africa (UBA), though specific details are less publicly documented
- Impact:
- With 40 million social media followers and strong global appeal, Wizkid remains highly marketable. His international presence makes him a sought-after ambassador for global brands, enhancing the value of his endorsement portfolio.
- Note:
- Although he has fewer publicly known deals than Davido, the contracts Wizkid secures reflect his international stature and broad reach.
Verdict
Davido likely holds more endorsement deals than Wizkid, buoyed by an early major contract with MTN and a dominant presence in Nigeria’s market. Wizkid, while having fewer publicly documented endorsements, boasts high-profile and globally significant deals like CIROC and Pepsi. Currently, Davido has a slight edge in volume, though more concrete data is needed for absolute certainty.
5. Top Features with Big Artists
Collaborations with major artists indicate global reach and influence.
Davido
- Key Collaborations:
- Meek Mill (“Fans Mi”)
- Chris Brown (“Blow My Mind,” “Sensational”)
- Busta Rhymes (“Fall” remix)
- Summer Walker, Burna Boy, Asake, Lil Baby, Angélique Kidjo
- Wale, Olamide, Mafikizolo, DJ Buckz
- Impact:
- Davido blends Afrobeats with hip-hop and R&B, attracting a wide audience. His track “Sensational” charted at #96 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing his international reach and fans’ appreciation of his diverse sound.
- Quantity:
- Over 15 notable international and local collaborations featuring frequent high-profile pairings.
Wizkid
- Key Collaborations:
- Drake (“One Dance,” “Ojuelegba” remix)
- Beyoncé (“Brown Skin Girl”)
- Chris Brown (“African Bad Gyal,” “Shabba”)
- Trey Songz, French Montana, Zara Larsson, Tinie Tempah
- H.E.R., Brent Faiyaz, Jazmine Sullivan
- Impact:
- “One Dance” set two Guinness World Records and became the first song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. “Brown Skin Girl” earned a Grammy Award, underlining Wizkid’s global success and critical acclaim.
- Quantity:
- Over 20 notable collaborations, with a stronger emphasis on global chart-topping hits.
Verdict
Wizkid leads in terms of global impact, thanks to landmark hits like “One Dance” and “Brown Skin Girl,” which achieved massive international success. While Davido boasts numerous collaborations with big names, they have not matched the same level of global chart dominance.
6. Global Fame
Global fame is measured by how many people follow you on social media. It also depends on how many concerts you sell out. Media coverage plays a big role, too. Lastly, being recognized around the world adds to your fame.
Davido
- Social Media:
- 54.4 million followers across major platforms.
- Concerts:
- Sold out the O2 Arena, London (20,000 capacity) in 2019 — second African artist to achieve this after Wizkid.
- Headlined Capital One Arena, Washington D.C. (20,000 capacity) in 2023.
- Media Coverage:
- Praised by The New York Times for positive themes in his music.
- Recognized by Rolling Stone for his album 5ive, highlighting his talent and creativity.
- Known for music that inspires hope and showcases a unique style.
- Recognition:
- First African artist to win a BET Award on the main stage (2018).
- Received four Grammy nominations in 2024, cementing his global industry relevance.
- Fanbase:
- Strong in Nigeria, across Africa, and the diaspora, with growing popularity in the US.
Wizkid
- Social Media:
- 40 million followers across major platforms.
- Concerts:
- First African artist to sell out the Royal Albert Hall, London (6,000 capacity) in 2017.
- Sold out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London (50,000 capacity) in 2023.
- Headlined Rolling Loud Toronto (2022), a major international music festival.
- Media Coverage:
- Featured in Vogue as a top-dressed pop star.
- Listed by New African magazine among the Top 100 Most Influential Africans.
- Recognition:
- Grammy Award winner (2021) with five total nominations.
- First Nigerian artist to surpass 1 million Twitter followers (2014).
- Fanbase:
- Broad global appeal, especially in the US, UK, and Europe, boosted by hits like “Essence” and collaborations with Drake.
Verdict
Wizkid commands a broader international presence, having gained global recognition earlier and achieving major milestones like a Grammy win and stadium sellouts. Davido’s achievements, particularly in Africa and with landmark concerts like the O2 Arena, are impressive, but Wizkid’s influence spans more deeply into Western markets.
Summary Table
| Category | Davido | Wizkid | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hit Songs | 19 international hits, 13 Top 10, 638M Boomplay streams | 21 international hits, 12 Top 10, 30+ certifications | Wizkid |
| Number of Albums | 5 studio albums | 6 studio albums | Wizkid |
| Awards & Nominations | 69 awards, 87 nominations | 88 awards, 222 nominations | Wizkid |
| Endorsement Deals | MTN, Guinness, estimated more deals | Pepsi, CIROC, estimated fewer deals | Davido |
| Top Features | 15+ (Chris Brown, Meek Mill) | 20+ (Drake, Beyoncé) | Wizkid |
| Global Fame | 54.4M followers, O2 Arena sold out | 40M followers, Grammy win, Tottenham Stadium sold out | Wizkid |
Conclusion
Wizkid emerges as the frontrunner for the title of the “Real African Afrobeat G.O.A.T.” He leads in five out of six key categories: hit songs, number of albums, awards and nominations, major collaborations, and global recognition.
His global impact is undeniable, thanks to record-breaking hits like Essence and One Dance, along with a Grammy win. Critically acclaimed projects like Made in Lagos further cement his international influence. Wizkid’s versatility—seamlessly blending Afrobeats with R&B, reggae, and pop—has broadened his reach to audiences worldwide.
Davido, however, remains a powerhouse in his own right. His commercial success is massive, especially within Africa. With one of the largest social media followings among African artists, Davido commands strong brand appeal and consistent endorsement deals. His streaming milestones, notably with Fall, highlight his deep-rooted popularity in Nigeria and across the African diaspora.
Known for vibrant, danceable anthems and a steady stream of releases, Davido’s recent Grammy nominations signal his growing global stature.
Final Verdict
Wizkid stands at the summit of Afrobeat greatness, supported by global accolades and far-reaching influence. Still, Davido’s immense fanbase and commercial dominance ensure that the debate remains spirited. Ultimately, the title of “G.O.A.T.” comes down to personal preference.
If global impact matters most to you, Wizkid takes the crown. If local resonance and cultural connection are what you value, Davido is your champion. Both artists are undisputed icons—but Wizkid’s achievements give him the definitive edge.
