Ask anyone on the streets of Lagos about David Adedeji Adeleke—better known to the world as Davido—and they'll claim him as their own. They aren’t wrong, exactly. He’s the "Omo Baba Olowo," the face of modern Afrobeats, and a man whose heartbeat seems synced to the rhythm of Nigerian culture. But if you’re looking for the technical, hospital-record answer to the question of where is Davido born, the answer isn't Nigeria.
It’s Georgia. Specifically, the bustling city of Atlanta.
The Atlanta Connection: Where it All Started
Davido was born on November 21, 1992, at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Honestly, it's a detail that surprises a lot of casual listeners who assume his "hometown" energy is 100% West African. He didn't just pass through, either. His parents, Adedeji and Vero Adeleke, were deep into the American academic and business world at the time. His late mother, Vero, was actually a university lecturer, and his father was already building the foundation of the Adeleke empire while pursuing his own education in the States.
He’s a dual citizen. That’s a huge part of his identity.
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Growing up as a "Yankee" kid with a billionaire Nigerian father meant Davido lived a life of constant transit. He spent his early years in the U.S. before the family moved back to Lagos, where he attended the British International School. This "best of both worlds" upbringing is probably why he can switch from a thick Nigerian accent to an Atlanta drawl in a split second. It’s also why he feels just as comfortable in a studio in Buckhead as he does in a club in Victoria Island.
Why the Confusion?
The reason people keep asking where is Davido born is mostly cultural. In Nigeria, you aren't really from where you were born; you’re from where your father is from. Since the Adeleke family hails from Ede in Osun State, most Nigerians will tell you Davido is from Osun. Period.
Even Davido himself leans into this. While he’s proud of his Atlanta roots—he’s frequently mentioned in interviews that all his children were born at the same Northside Hospital he was—his music and brand are fiercely Nigerian. He isn't an American artist trying to do African music; he’s a Nigerian artist who just happened to enter the world in the 404 area code.
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The College Years: Alabama and the Big Pivot
When Davido turned 16, he headed back to the U.S. to study Business Administration at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. This was supposed to be the "serious" part of his life. His dad wanted a businessman. Instead, Davido bought some musical equipment, started making beats, and basically abandoned his lectures to hang out with his cousins, B-Red and Sina Rambo.
They formed a group called KB International. It didn't take long for him to realize that the classroom wasn't for him. He eventually dropped out, moved to London to work on his vocals, and then made the leap back to Nigeria in 2011. That move changed everything.
Setting the Record Straight
There are a few weird myths floating around the internet about his birth and early life. Let’s clear those up:
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- Myth: He was born in Lagos and moved to the US later.
Fact: Nope. He was born in Atlanta and moved to Lagos as a child. - Myth: He only got American citizenship recently.
Fact: He’s been a citizen since day one. Birthright citizenship, baby. - Myth: He grew up poor in the US.
Fact: Absolutely not. His father is a billionaire. Davido has always been open about his "Omo Baba Olowo" (Son of a Rich Man) status, even using it as the title for his debut album.
How His Birthplace Influenced His Music
You can hear Atlanta in his production. The heavy bass and the trap-adjacent cadences he occasionally uses? That’s Georgia. But the soul, the language, and the themes? That’s all Lagos. This blend is what made him a global superstar. He understands the American market because he is American, but his heart beats for the continent.
By the time he returned to Nigeria to finish his degree at Babcock University (his dad literally funded a music department just so he’d graduate), he was already a star. The Atlanta-born kid had become the King of Lagos.
Next Steps for the Davido Superfan
If you're tracking Davido's journey, the best thing to do is watch his older interviews from 2011-2012 where he discusses the transition from the US to Nigeria. It gives a lot of context to his "back when" era. Also, keep an eye on his "Timeless" tour schedule, as he often does "homecoming" shows in both Atlanta and Lagos—the two cities that made him who he is today. Knowing the geography of his life helps you understand why his sound is so impossible to pin down to just one country.