‘I almost didn’t release it’ - Davido says breakout hit nearly missed his album at Grammys

Afrobeats heavyweight Davido has disclosed that one of the most defining songs of his career almost never saw the light of day, a revelation that has left fans reconsidering how close the track came to being abandoned.

Speaking to OkayAfrica on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards, the singer offered a candid insight into the creative uncertainty that can follow even the most successful recording artists. According to Davido, the now-celebrated track was initially at risk of being excluded during the album’s final selection process.

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Recalling the moment, he admitted that doubts surrounded the song before it was eventually approved for release. He said,

The realisation, Davido explained, continues to strike him whenever he steps on stage. Performing the track has become a reminder of how narrowly it escaped being shelved, leaving him both astonished and thankful for the decision that ultimately shaped its success.

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Despite the song’s impact, Davido did not walk away with the Best African Music Performance award at the 2026 Grammy Awards. The honour instead went to South African sensation Tyla, who claimed the prize with her breakout hit Push 2 Start.

Tyla’s win came after a competitive race that featured some of the continent’s biggest names, including Burna Boy with Love, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s collaboration Gimme Dat, Davido’s own With You featuring Omah Lay, and Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin.

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Introduced to amplify African music on the world stage, the category once again underlined Nigeria’s strong presence at the Grammys, with three Nigerian artists making the final shortlist.