[Review] A Critique of Davido’s Timeless Album, the Three-Part Series

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In a recent interview with Audiomack, Davido shared insights into his evolving music-making process. “Back in the day, I used to have like a hundred people in the studio. But these days, I like to record with less people,” he revealed. Something has caused a contraction in his circle, and there are two possible culprits: a woman with influence or a more functional management team.

The last three months of 2022 were a whirlwind for the Adeleke family, with a mix of highs and lows. They celebrated a political victory in their hometown but also experienced a devastating tragedy. And amid it all, Davido‘s fans eagerly anticipated his return to the music scene.

Their patience was rewarded with the release of “Timeless,” an epic trilogy of music that explores themes that transcend time. “There are songs I dropped in 2011 that still bring the same feelings to the fans when I perform them. Whether I dropped it 10 years ago or yesterday, I want it to give you the same feeling,” Davido explained in the Audiomack interview.

The album’s rollout was impressive, with a strategic focus on the Grammys and a partnership with Spotify. However, the most controversial aspect of Davido‘s return may be his personal playlist of 40 “Timeless Afrobeats Songs.” Interestingly, the playlist includes three songs from his former rival Wizkid but none from Burna Boy.

This move has sparked rumors of a newfound alliance between Davido and Wizkid, and some speculate that Burna Boy may respond with his own playlist or diss track. It may even be a déjà vu of sorts, with echoes of the rivalry between Davido and Burna Boy that played out in 2020’s Fem and Way Too Big. Whatever happens, the Afrobeats community seems to be in for an exciting ride.

The art cover of Davido‘s album expresses a transition from his previous releases to a novelty that holds great promise for the future. This future is eagerly anticipated, marked by equanimity, aesthetics, and innocence, hinting at an interplanetary infinity that is both compelling and intriguing. The cover features the vast expanse of the sky with its orbit that is big enough for exploration and discovery. The elephants in the background testify to his weight in the music industry, while the trees symbolize the expectations of fruitfulness in his world. The hourglass, on the other hand, appeals to the patience of the listeners who are willing to wait for the future to relive this ecstasy again as a flashback.

Over yonder, within the cosmos of the recently released musical project dubbed Timeless, lies a collection of colorful and exotic voices from various corners of the globe. Among these notable guest appearances are the likes of Grammy award-winning singer hailing from the Republic of Benin, the one and only Angelique Kidjo, the lyrical genius from across the pond, the British rapper Skepta, the musical duo Musa Keys and Focalistic from South Africa, and the soulful crooner Dexta Daps from the island paradise of Jamaica.

Additionally, the album showcases the talents of Davido‘s fellow countrymen and women, including the likes of Asake, Fave, The Cavemen, and the newly signed DMW protégés Morravey and Logos Olori. Each of these artists imbues their tracks with a unique flavor, adding to the album’s rich tapestry of sound.

With a carefully curated selection of artists worldwide, Davido has crafted a musical masterpiece that transcends borders and cultures. The album celebrates diversity and collaboration, showcasing the power of music to bring people together and create something timeless.

The path ahead may be narrow and sandy, but those who dare to venture forward will be treated to a journey through the head of Davido that is both timeless and unforgettable. The release of Timeless is strategically used to introduce Morravey and Logos Olori as the second chapter of his self-owned label, Davido Music Worldwide 2.0, marking a new era in his career.

Timeless is the fourth studio album in his discography, and it leans towards the grandiose of the urban society, where everything moves fast. The songs are characterized by a fast-paced tempo, hedonistic lyrics, and lasting impressions. Davido leaves everything on the album, with pacy songs like Bop, Champion Sound, Feel, Unavailable, and Away preaching a stress-free life and hedonism in full. He also addresses his role model status on LCND (Legend Can Never Die) and Godfather while touching on his grief on Over Dem and LCND. Precision interpolates Burna Boy‘s Chase featuring DJ Jimmy Jatt and U (Juju) featuring Skepta samples CDQ‘s Nowo E Soke featuring Wizkid.

Davido‘s love for football is well known, and it is explored on Timeless through references to N’Golo Kanté, Lionel Messi, and Romelu Lukaku. The deployment of black artists on the album is an unconscious promotion of Pan-Africanism, while his collaboration with Angelique Kidjo intensifies the Grammy conversation.

The album has its surprises, with the exclusion of Stand Strong and the absence of Pheelz, who Davido claimed produced most of the songs on his album. Nevertheless, Timeless stands the chance of being the most successful in the trilogy, as it is more Afrobeats than the mixture of it with Hip Hop and RnB heard on A Good Time and A Better Time.

Timeless is an artistic way to complete an epic, a masterful stroke that draws the listener in and holds them captive. It may well be the climax of Davido‘s existence, a timeless masterpiece that will awaken the same feelings in the future as it originally did when it was released. For Davido, the future holds great promise, and Timeless is just the beginning.

In the grand scheme of things, Timeless serves as a creative culmination of an epic tale, and throughout the episodic plot from the Adekunle Gold-penned 1 Milli to the Asake-assisted No Competition, Chioma Avril Rowland stands as the sole survivor.

After much consideration and deliberation, I would like to impart my humble opinion and rate this album with a commendable 7 out of 10. It is not without flaws, but the overall execution and delivery warrant a commendation fitting for its impressive qualities.

Ratings: 7/10

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