Nigerian superstar Davido’s ‘With You’ collaboration gains momentum ahead of the February 1 Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles
Touchaheart—With the 68th Grammy Awards set for February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Nigerian superstar Davido is gaining fresh momentum in the Best African Music Performance category.
His song “With You,” featuring Omah Lay, is competing against high-profile entries from Wizkid, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Tyla, and Eddy Kenzo with Mehran Matin.
The race intensified after American singer Rotimi publicly endorsed Davido’s entry, sparking online backlash and reigniting long-standing fan rivalries.
As Grammy night approaches, Davido has emerged as one of the most talked-about contenders. “With You” blends Afrobeats and soulful pop, a sound that has resonated widely since its release.
Industry trackers note that the category, introduced to spotlight African music’s global rise, has become one of the ceremony’s most competitive segments this year.
Rotimi’s endorsement added fuel to the conversation. In a social media post last week, the actor-singer praised “With You” as “a global record that represents African music at its peak.”
Celebrity Endorsement Fuels Competitive Fire
While Davido’s supporters welcomed the backing, some Wizkid fans criticized Rotimi, accusing him of bias amid the long-running rivalry between the two Nigerian stars.
“This category shows how far African music has come,” Rotimi later said in an interview. “These artists are pushing culture worldwide, and Davido’s record stands out for its emotional depth.”
His comments, however, did little to calm the online debates that followed.
Davido, 31, has been actively campaigning in Los Angeles, attending industry events and networking ahead of the ceremony. Over the weekend, he was spotted at Grammy House, posing with producers and fellow nominees.
He also joined Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti at a private party honoring the late Fela Kuti, who received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy.
Speaking briefly at the event, Davido described the moment as symbolic. “Standing here, celebrating Fela’s legacy, reminds me why this nomination matters,” he said. “It’s bigger than one artist. It’s about Africa being heard.”
Despite the optimism, competition remains fierce. Burna Boy, a Grammy winner with four nominations this year, is widely seen as a favorite. Tyla’s global hit “Water” has also gained strong support, bolstered by impressive streaming numbers.
According to industry data from 2024, Afrobeats streams grew by over 25 percent globally, underscoring why predictions remain divided.
Music analyst Tunde Adebayo believes the outcome is unpredictable.
“Davido has momentum and visibility in LA,” he said. “But the category reflects the diversity of African sounds, and voters may lean toward past winners or breakout global hits.”
For Davido and his loyal 30BG fanbase, the nomination represents another near-miss opportunity turned potential breakthrough.
The artist has been nominated previously without a win, a history that adds emotional stakes to Sunday’s ceremony.
As the countdown continues, the Best African Music Performance category stands as a defining moment for the continent’s global influence.
Whether Davido claims the trophy or not, the buzz surrounding “With You” highlights Africa’s growing power on music’s biggest stage.
