Global Afrobeats sensation Davido has publicly hailed legendary music maestro Cobhams Asuquo for transforming the DNA of his live performances.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on July 31, 2025, Davido credited the award-winning producer and composer with “redefining my stage craft” as part of preparations for his explosive 5 Alive Tour. He ended the tribute emotionally: “I love you and got you for life, big brother.”
The acknowledgment follows Davido’s visually stunning, musically refined performance at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, a concert fans are already calling one of his best to date. From rich instrumental transitions to avant-garde arrangements of classics like “Fall” and “Unavailable”, the show bore the unmistakable creative fingerprints of Cobhams, who serves as the tour’s official music director.
Beyond just sound engineering, Cobhams curated an entire concert experience, infusing the show with a level of theatrical artistry and sonic depth rarely seen in Afrobeats shows. Surprise cameos by Popcaan, Mayorkun, and Omah Lay electrified the crowd, blending seamlessly with Cobhams’ carefully orchestrated setlist.
Davido’s fifth studio album, 5ive, forms the backbone of the 5 Alive Tour, and this partnership signals a new chapter in the superstar’s evolution—not just as a hitmaker but as a global performer. Upcoming stops, including New York’s Barclays Center, are expected to carry forward the same sophisticated soundscapes and visual storytelling.
Why It Matters
From Bangers to Brilliance: Cobhams brings decades of expertise from working with Asa, Banky W., and Simi, helping Davido trade formulaic shows for musical storytelling.
Stagecraft on Steroids: Every detail—from live arrangements to pacing—feels purposeful, proving Davido is thinking bigger than just radio hits.
Cultural Crossroads: The collaboration embodies a rare blend of Afrobeats energy with world-class musical direction, possibly setting a new standard for the genre.
In the crowded arena of global pop, Davido and Cobhams Asuquo’s partnership is a timely reminder that behind every great artist is a visionary capable of reshaping how the world experiences their music.
