Grammy-nominated Afrobeats superstar Davido has announced his sixth studio album, ORIADÉ, which is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026, marking another major milestone in a career that now spans 15 years.
The album’s title, ORÍADÉ, combines the Yoruba words ORÍ (head or destiny) and ADÉ (crown), reflecting themes of purpose, destiny, and fulfilment. Its release also coincides with the 15th anniversary of Davido’s emergence as one of Africa’s biggest music stars.
To unveil the project, Davido shared a cinematic trailer across his social media platforms. In the visual, the singer appears dressed in traditional Yoruba attire, adorned with beads and a cap, and seated on a throne, accompanied by a woman’s voice chanting traditional Yoruba praise. He captioned the teaser: “The kingdom expands. Chosen long before the throne.”
The announcement comes just days after the release of the album’s lead single, “I Know Who I Be,” featuring South African producers JAZZWRLD and GL_Ceejay, which dropped on June 26.
ORÍADÉ serves as the follow-up to Davido’s 2025 album, 5ive, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard World Albums chart. The project featured the Grammy-nominated hit “With You” with Omah Lay and included collaborations with international stars such as Victoria Monét, YG Marley, Shenseea, Chris Brown, and Becky G.
According to Davido, the forthcoming album marks a more introspective chapter in his career, exploring gratitude, growth, and the fulfilment of a lifelong purpose.
Speaking about the project in an interview with Billboard, the singer reflected on the journey that inspired the album.
“Over fifteen years ago, I made a decision to trust something I couldn’t fully explain. I just knew music was my destiny,” Davido said. “ORÍADÉ is a celebration of the journey that led me to where I am now. To be in a position where I can help push African music forward around the world is something I’ll never take for granted. I hope when people hear my new album, they understand that purpose doesn’t always follow the expected path. The biggest blessings often come from betting on yourself, even when the destination isn’t in sight yet.”
The announcement caps another eventful year for the Afrobeats star. In April, Davido made his Coachella debut with a 45-minute performance that included a surprise appearance by Adekunle Gold. He also featured on “No Place Like Home,” the official soundtrack for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Major Lazer and Nelly Furtado. The trio performed the song during the tournament’s countdown concert in Los Angeles, where Davido drew attention by wearing a custom jacket bearing the names of abducted students and teachers from Oyo State, Nigeria.
Anticipation for ORÍADÉ is high as fans await Davido’s next full-length project following the commercial success of Timeless and 5ive, both of which further cemented his position as one of Afrobeats’ leading global ambassadors.
