Nigerian superstar Davido’s latest album, 5ive dropped with the weight of global anticipation. As expected, it has also ignited a flurry of passionate reactions from music lovers, critics, and industry voices since its release. While some hail it as an exceptional, feel-good celebration of Afrobeats energy, others label it an underwhelming and unimaginative project. The 17-track album, which marks Davido’s fifth studio effort, has split opinions like never before.
One of the loudest critics, popular social commentator Daniel Regha, didn’t mince words in his scathing review. Labeling the album a “2/10,” he argued that tracks like “With You” featuring Omah Lay and “Titanium” with Chris Brown fell flat, citing poor synergy and unoriginality. Regha also slammed Davido’s songwriting, pointing to lines like “Wheel-barrow” and “Toy-toy-toy” as evidence of poor lyricism. “The project is only listenable thanks to Davido’s signature sound and hype,” he wrote, claiming it offers “nothing new” in terms of lyrical content.
However, in true Twitter fashion, a rebuttal followed swiftly. Excel, a fellow music enthusiast on X, offered a strong rebuttal to Regha’s review, defending the album’s approach and creative choices. “No b every project in Afrobeats needs to be a lyrical thesis,” he argued, emphasizing that Afrobeats is more about “energy, connection, and rhythm.” Excel praised the contrast between Davido’s bold vocals and Omah Lay’s moody delivery, calling it “an interesting synergy.” He also highlighted the cultural context behind some lyrics, suggesting that critics should approach Afrobeats with a deeper understanding of its ethos.
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For others, the album landed somewhere in between. Professor X dismissed 5ive as too generic to connect with listeners, saying, “It’s too FAKE.” Meanwhile, Ọmọọba Adélẹyẹ ToluCHUKWU offered a nuanced take, calling the album a “middling effort that coasts on familiarity but struggles to ignite.” He rated it 5.5/10, describing it as “music for lounging, not leaping,” and lamenting the lack of ambition in its overall execution.
Still, 5ive has its fair share of fans. BC, who rated it 8.5/10 on first listen, described the album as “amazing,” while Akinlolu Akanbi applauded Davido for focusing on creativity and praised the seamless integration of international features. “He chose his features carefully, which blends well with the theme of the album,” he wrote.
On the more critical side, Eddy questioned the album’s coherence and artistic direction, rating it 4/10. “This isn’t a body of work, it’s just singles put together,” he lamented, criticizing its lack of thematic focus and weak lyricism.
And while Dreadheadmajik1 admitted that the R&B elements didn’t work for him, Onesty found 5ive to be a “pure” piece of work, urging listeners to enjoy the music without unnecessary comparisons.
In the end, 5ive is dominating the charts regardless. Within 24 hours of release, the album surged to the top of Apple Music Nigeria and trended globally across streaming platforms. Tracks like “Funds,” “Tek,” and “With You” are already becoming fan favorites, showing strong early performance in streams and playlist placements.
