Davido - A Better Time

FEM opens the album with a delicate intimacy, far removed from major festivals, before closing it with "On My Way" to establish a temporal and emotional framework for this 54-minute project. This structure, from the eponymous track FEM on the first track to the closing performance by Sauti Sol on the last, suggests a desire to explore a variety of styles before venturing into the geographical boundaries of the sound.

Significant American guest artists: Holy Ground and Shopping Spree

The album's dense sound is reflected in an ambitious collaboration strategy, where heavy synthesizers and steel drums coexist with major international vocalists. The crossover approach is exemplified by Holy Ground, which features Nicki Minaj on track 4. This collaboration with an American rap icon immediately strengthens the Nigerian artist's global presence and stature on the international stage. Later in the album, Shopping Spree, recorded in Los Angeles along with some other tracks, takes this approach to another level by bringing together Chris Brown and Young Thug. This major double featuring creates a massive fusion between Chris Brown's pop R&B, who has already collaborated with Davido on Blow My Mind in his previous album A Good Time (2019), and Young Thug's psychedelic rap. The presence of the latter, often associated with a darker or more experimental style, adds a complex texture to the overall festive production. These two tracks demonstrate how the album uses these featured artists to ground the project in American hip-hop while maintaining its own unique identity.

Local fireworks: Mayorkun, Tiwa Savage and Sauti Sol

While international collaborations are a major focus, the local connection continues to shine through collaborations with Nigerian artists. This is also evident on track 8 with Chris Brown and Young Thug, as well as on previous tracks where Davido works with his regular producers. The local connection is further strengthened later in the album with Tanana, where Tiwa Savage features on the track. Her appearance grounds the track in a festive Afro-pop atmosphere and reinforces the connection with the Nigerian music scene. The album thus serves as a bridge between these local artists and the global scene, creating a rich ecosystem where traditional sounds coexist with modern influences. The closing track, On My Way, featuring Sauti Sol, brings an authentic and African folk touch, highlighting the openness to the continent and demonstrating that Nigerian music can engage with other scenes, such as the Kenyan one.

Sound design: From stunning to flawed

The production of this third studio album oscillates between breathtaking and a constant search for dynamism. The producers, including Hit-Boy, who collaborated on the track Birthday Cake, have worked to create a landscape where brass, synthesizers, and horns dominate. This approach is described as unwavering by some critics, although the project sometimes sacrifices conceptual coherence in favor of the pure energy of the hits. The production uses American and Nigerian sounds, recorded in Los Angeles and Lagos respectively, creating a hybrid that defines the identity of the album. However, this focus on impactful tracks can sometimes hinder the continuity of exciting concepts, creating an effect of collage between moments of high energy and others that are lighter. This allows the album to offer an escape from the problems of the world through art, providing a temporary but real escape. This external constraint paradoxically gave the singer the time needed to return to the studio and record the tracks that make up A Better Time, transforming a period of forced confinement into an opportunity for intensive creation, where he could focus exclusively on music without having to juggle with touring commitments. The project, which is largely produced by Hit-Boy, Napji, Fresh VDM, Peruzzi, and Speroach Beatz, was primarily recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, with the notable exception of two tracks: Heaven and Shopping Spree, which were recorded in Los Angeles. This geographical distribution of recording sessions reflects a desire for sonic hybridization between local atmospheres and the American scene, confirming that, according to the artist, the difficulties of the world could disappear in favor of a lasting artistic escape. Davido himself told NME that this period of lockdown allowed him to create all day with his producers, thus enhancing the quality of the album, which is intended to be a celebration of joy and a hope for a better future.

Review of an album of pure escapism

A Better Time is a crossover manifesto where the festive atmosphere of Lagos meets the American light. It confirms its position as a respected artist and cultural ambassador for Nigeria, particularly after being named one of the 100 most influential Africans by the magazine New African in 2019. The release of this album on November 13, 2020, also marks its appearance on the Time 100 Next list in February 2021, validating its international rise. Davido manages to stay consistent with his unique style while offering a showcase of growth and development, proving that the problems of the world can sometimes be overcome by the combined power of Nigerian pop and American hip-hop music.

Technical details

- Release date : November 13, 2020 - Label : Columbia - Tracks : 17 (54 minutes 51 seconds) - Opening / closing : FEM / On My Way - Guest artists : Nicki Minaj, Mayorkun, Chris Brown, Young Thug, Tiwa Savage, Mugeez, CKay, Lil Baby, Nas, Hit-Boy, Sho Madjozi, Bella Shmurda … - Previous album : A Good Time (2019)