Nigerian global superstar, Davido delivered an unforgettable night at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Monday, headlining a special edition of the Spotlight series titled Spotlight: Davido. The intimate event celebrated his remarkable artistic evolution, global influence, and the rising dominance of Afrobeats on the world stage.
Backed by a live band, Davido captivated the audience with a moving performance of With You, the hit track now nominated for Best African Music Performance at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards.
Before taking the stage, Davido joined Grammy Museum moderators for an insightful pre-show conversation that gave fans a deeper look into the creation of With You. He revealed that he rewrote his verse on the song just two days before its release, an impulsive decision he described as “legendary.” According to him, the late change drastically shaped the emotional texture of the record, allowing the song to land with more vulnerability and resonance.
Released earlier this year, With You blends warmth, melody, and heartfelt storytelling in a way that highlights the emotional depth of modern Afrobeats. The song celebrates love, joy, commitment, and the softer side of relationships an aspect Davido says he intentionally leaned into. Its Grammy nomination is a significant moment not just for him, but also for collaborator Omah Lay, who scores the first Grammy nomination of his career through the track. For the Afrobeats community, the achievement represents yet another milestone in the genre’s global domination.
Onstage, Davido brought the song to life with commanding presence and soulful delivery. His live vocals, backed by atmospheric instrumentals from the band, transformed the museum’s Clive Davis Theater into an intimate musical moment that echoed his growth both as a performer and a cultural icon. Fans and industry guests described the performance as “electrifying,” praising his ability to blend raw emotion with flawless stage control.
The Grammy Museum’s Spotlight series is known for honoring influential musicians shaping global music culture, and Davido’s selection speaks volumes about his impact. Over the past decade, he has helped push Afrobeats into mainstream spaces, breaking streaming records, topping international charts, selling out arenas worldwide, and collaborating with global heavyweights across genres. Monday’s event underscored this legacy, giving fans a close-up experience with an artist who continues to redefine boundaries.
2025 has been a remarkable year for Davido, marked by major achievements in music, touring, and global recognition. His albums and singles have enjoyed massive streaming numbers, while his international tour dates drew huge crowds across Europe, North America, and Africa. At the same time, his collaborations and philanthropic initiatives have expanded his influence beyond music, earning him praise as both a cultural ambassador and a leader in elevating African music.
The Grammy nomination for With You adds another layer to Davido’s legacy. For Afrobeats, a genre that has grown from local Nigerian roots to global dominance, the recognition signals the next stage of its evolution: increased institutional acknowledgment and deeper integration into international award circuits. Davido’s performance at the Grammy Museum served as a celebration of this movement, showing how far African music has come and how much further it is set to go.
As the 2026 Grammy Awards approach, excitement continues to build around Davido’s category. Whether he walks away with the trophy or not, With You has already secured its place as a defining record in his career and a landmark collaboration for Afrobeats as a whole. For Davido, the night at the Grammy Museum was not just a performance, it was a statement of longevity, artistry, and the power of African stories on the global stage.