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The Digest:

Afrobeats star Davido has disclosed that his Grammy-nominated track, 'With You' featuring Omah Lay, was nearly excluded from his '5IVE' album. In an interview, he revealed the song was not a top pick during internal reviews, making its subsequent chart-topping success and over 100 million Spotify streams a surprising triumph. Davido also recounted receiving his latest Grammy nomination while in Dubai and confirmed his upcoming performance as the sole Nigerian artist at Coachella 2026.

Key Points

  • The revelation underscores how subjective industry previews can be, highlighting the unpredictable nature of public taste versus internal consensus.
  • It reflects the emotional weight and pressure artists face when curating albums, where last-minute decisions can define a project's legacy.
  • The song's success validates artistic instinct over committee approval, offering a lesson in creative confidence for the industry.
  • Despite the nomination, the outcome reinforces the highly competitive global music landscape where Nigerian artists continue to seek breakthrough wins.
  • Davido's Coachella booking represents a significant milestone in the global mainstreaming of Afrobeats, expanding its festival and crossover appeal.

The story of 'With You' serves as a reminder that commercial and critical success often defies early predictions, driven by an intangible connection with listeners.

Sources: Interview with OkayAfrica, as reported by HYPETRIBE.