Omo Baba Olowo

Omo Baba Olowo (Yoruba: Son of a Rich Man) is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Davido.[2] It was released by HKN Music on July 17, 2012.[1] The album was produced by Jay Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Theory Soundz and Shizzi. Its release was preceded by four singles: "Back When", "Dami Duro", "Ekuro" and "Overseas". The album's music is a mixture of Afrobeats and hip hop. It features guest appearances from Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince and 2 Face Idibia.[3][4] Omo Baba Olowo received generally negative reviews from music critics, who denounced its lyrical content and Davido's songwriting. The album won Best R&B/Pop Album and received a nomination for Album of the Year at The Headies 2013.[5] It was also nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[6]

Omo Baba Olowo
Studio album by Davido
Released	July 17, 2012 (2012-07-17)[1]
Recorded	2011–2012
Genre	Afrobeats hip-hop
Length	65:00
Label	HKN Music
Producer	Various David Adeleke (exec.) Adewale Adeleke (exec.) Adedeji Adeleke (exec.) Asa Askia (exec.) Sharon Adeleke (exec.) Kamal Ajiboye (exec.) Shizzi Jay Sleek Maleek Berry GospelOnDeBeatz Spellz Dokta Frabz Theory Soundz Mr. Chidoo
Davido chronology
Omo Baba Olowo (2012) Son of Mercy (2016)
Singles from Omo Baba Olowo
"Back When" Released: May 7, 2011 "Dami Duro" Released: October 30, 2011 "Ekuro" Released: January 25, 2012 "Overseas" Released: May 6, 2012 "All of You" Released: September 28, 2012 "Gbon Gbon" Released: October 17, 2012 "Feel Alright" Released: December 8, 2012

Launch concert

On July 22, 2012, the album's launch concert was held at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.[7] Davido's father Adedeji Adeleke and Aliko Dangote attended the event.[8] Other celebrities in attendance included D'banj, Ikechukwu, Naeto C, Toke Makinwa, Munachi, Sasha, Daddy Freeze, Adaure Achumba, Mo'Cheddah, DJ Xclusive, May D, Dayo Ephraim and Funke Akindele.[9]

Composition

The album opens with "All of You", a song with a mid tempo beat. In "Dollars in the Bank", Davido addresses gold diggers who are out for his wealth. In "Video", he lures a female fan into shooting an adult film with him. "Mary Jane" has two different connotations. From the surface, the song is about a "bad girl" that makes Davido's head swell while in a deeper meaning, it is an ode to marijuana. In the drum-infused "Gbon Gbon", producer Shizzi reproduces the sound of "Dami Duro". "No Visa" is a fusion of Europop and Azonto. "All of You" reveals a conceited Davido who sees himself as a victim of unjust castigation. "Feel Alright" is a song about the wax and wane of a relationship. The Maleek Berry-produced "New Skul Tinz" has an imperceptible dancehall feel to it. In "Enter the Center", Davido is reminiscent of Terry G.[3][4]

Singles

The Naeto C-assisted track "Back When" was released on May 7, 2011, as the album's lead single.[10] The song was recorded on Old Kent Road in London.[11] The music video for "Back When" was shot and directed in Nigeria by Clarence Peters. It was uploaded to YouTube on May 9, 2011, at a total length of 3 minutes and 48 seconds.[12] The album's second single "Dami Duro" was released on October 30, 2011, during the Occupy Nigeria protests. Davido told Adeola Adeyemo of BellaNaija he was skeptical when he dropped the song.[13] The music video for "Dami Duro" was shot and directed in Lagos by Clarence Peters.[14]

The album's third single "Ekuro" was released on January 25, 2012. Nigerian singer Aramide released a soulful rendition of the song.[15] The accompanying music video for "Ekuro" was shot and directed in Miami by Antwan Smith.[16] "Overseas" was released as the album's fourth single on May 6, 2012. It features vocals by Sina Rambo and was produced by Shizzi. An unfinished version of the song, titled "Take You Round The World", was released a week prior to the official release.[17] The music video for "Overseas" was also shot and directed in Miami by Antwan Smith.[18]

The album's fifth single "All of You" was released on September 28, 2012. The song was produced by GospelOnDeBeatz and was rumored to be a beef track. Its music video was shot and directed in Brooklyn, New York by Sesan Ogunro.[19] The Shizzi-produced track "Gbon Gbon" was released on October 17, 2012, as the album's sixth single. The accompanying music video for "Gbon Gbon" was shot and directed in Lagos by Clarence Peters.[20] The Ice Prince-assisted track "Feel Alright" was released on December 8, 2012, as the album's seventh single. The song was produced by Dokta Frabz. Aje Filmworks shot and directed the music video in Lagos.[21]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Nigerian Entertainment Today	[3]
Hip Hop World Magazine	[22]

Omo Baba Olowo received generally negative reviews from music critics. Ayomide Tayo of Nigerian Entertainment Today awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5, criticizing its producers for "failing to cover up Davido's failings as an artiste".[3] Tayo also opined that Davido's "songwriting skills could be better and his voice could be better groomed."[3] Tobi Amoo of Hip Hop World Magazine gave the album 1 star out of 5, extensively stating: "David's debut album fails to strike that balance; not only does it not have enough hits to leave any impression as to his talents as a recording artiste, it possesses too many songs of the same mediocre quality, leading you to wonder if there will be a follow up attempt or if indeed there need be."[22]

Ore Fakorede of YNaija criticized Davido's songwriting and singing voice.[23] Wilfred Okiche said a "trip back to the drawing board should save his career the horror of another record like this."[24] Toni Kan of Africa Magic praised the album's production, but ended the review saying it "sounds very familiar in places, leaving you with a heavy feeling of deja vu."[4]

Accolades

Despite the negative reviews, the album won Best R&B/Pop Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2013. It was also nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[5][6]

Year	Award	Nomination	Result
2013	The Headies	Best R&B/Pop Album	Won
		Album of the Year	Nominated
	Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Best Album of the Year	Nominated

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"All of You"	David Adeleke	GospelOnDeBeatz	3:07
2.	"Back When" (featuring Naeto C)	Adeleke Naetochukwu Chikwe	Davido	3:40
3.	"New Skul Tinz" (featuring Sina Rambo and B-Red)	Adeleke Shina Adeleke Bayo Adeleke	Mr. Chidoo B-Red	4:10
4.	"Video"	Adeleke	Maleek Berry	3:53
5.	"Ekuro"	Adeleke	Shizzi	3:27
6.	"Down"	Adeleke	Spellz	3:51
7.	"No Visa" (featuring Sina Rambo)	Adeleke Shina Adeleke	Theory Soundz	4:13
8.	"Enter the Center" (featuring B-Red)	Adeleke Bayo Adeleke	Maleek Berry	3:22
9.	"Dollars In the Bank" (featuring Kayswitch)	Adeleke	Shizzi	3:42
10.	"Sade"	Adeleke	Jay Sleek	4:00
11.	"Gbon Gbon"	Adeleke	Shizzi	3:26
12.	"Feel Alright" (featuring Ice Prince)	Adeleke Panshak Zamani	Dokta Frabz	4:10
13.	"Mary Jane"	Adeleke	Jay Sleek	3:22
14.	"For You" (featuring 2 Face Idiba)	Adeleke Innocent Ujah Idibia	Maleek Berry	3:39
15.	"Overseas" (featuring Sina Rambo)	Adeleke Shina Adeleke	Shizzi	4:30
16.	"Dami Duro"	Adeleke	Shizzi Davido	4:12
17.	"Bless Me"	Adeleke	Shizzi	4:14
Total length:				65:00

Personnel

Credits adapted from the back cover of Omo Baba Olowo.

• David "Davido" Adeleke – primary artist, writer, executive producer, mastering
• Adewale Adeleke – executive producer
• Dr. Adedeji Adeleke – executive producer
• Asa Askia – co-executive producer
• Sharon Adeleke – co-executive producer
• Kamal Ajiboye – co-executive producer
• Shizzi – producer, mastering
• Jerry "Jay Sleek" Shelika – producer
• Maleek Berry – producer
• Gospel "OnDeBeatz" Obi – producer
• Mr. Chidoo – producer
• Spellz – producer
• Dokta Frabz – producer
• Theory Soundz – producer, mixing, mastering
• Naetochukwu Chikwe – featured artist, writer
• Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo – featured artist
• Shina "Rambo" Adeleke – featured artist, writer
• Bayo "B-Red" Adeleke – featured artist, producer, writer
• Panshak Zamani – featured artist, writer
• Innocent Ujah Idibia – featured artist, writer
• TCD Photography – cover art photography

Release history

Region	Date	Version	Format	Label
Various	July 17, 2012	Standard	CD digital download	HKN Music

References

1. "Omo Baba Olowo by Davido". iTunes. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
2. Batte, R Edgar (23 December 2013). "Davido takes on Jose Chameleone". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
3. Tayo, Ayomide (18 July 2012). "Davido – 'Omo Baba Olowo' [Album review]: Money can solve everything except perfection". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
4. Kan, Toni (31 July 2012). "Album review: Davido's O.B.O Genesis". Africa Magic. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
5. "Headies Award 2013 and Full List of winners". Osun Defender. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
6. Micheal Abimboye (31 May 2013). "Nigerian Entertainment Award announces 2013 nominees". Premium Times. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
7. "Davido breaks out". Vanguard. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
8. "Billionaire's club at Davido's album launch: Dangote and Adeleke share a table!". OMG. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
9. Aiki, Damilare (23 July 2012). "BN Red Carpet Fab: Davido's "Omo Baba Olowo – O.B.O – The Genesis" Album Launch". Bellanaija. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
10. "Davido Feat Naeto C 'Back When' – by Nwadiogo Quartey-Ngwube". Fab Magazine. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
11. Orakwue, Nonny (25 September 2012). "The Wrap Up Home INTERVIEW: DAVIDO". MTV. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
12. L, Jibola (10 May 2011). "New Video: Davido Feat. Naeto C". Bellanaija. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
13. Adeyemo, Adeola (4 February 2012). "BN Saturday Celebrity Interview: "You Can't Stop Me!" 2012′s Hottest Star, Davido – The Music, The Fame, The Fans & More!". Bellanaija. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
14. Okiche, Wilfred (10 January 2012). "#InCaseyouMissedIt Hot Stuff: Davido drops video for 'Dami Duro'". YNaija. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
15. "Aramide Drops R&B Cover Of Davido's 'Ekuro'". Channels TV. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
16. "NEW VIDEO: DAVIDO - Ekuro". Nigerian Eye. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
17. "BN Music Premiere: Davido Feat. Shina Rambo – Overseas". Bellanaija. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
18. Alonge, Osagie (5 July 2012). "VIDEO: Davido releases fourth video 'Overseas' feat Sinarambo". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
19. "Audio + Video:- Davido - All of You". Nigerian sounds. 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
20. "Davido releases "Gbon Gbon" music video". Pilot Africa. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
21. "New Video: Davido Feat. Ice Prince – Feel Alright". Bellanaija. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
22. Amoo, Tobi (23 July 2012). "DAVIDO – O.B.O: The Genesis [Album Review]". Hip Hop World Magazine. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
23. Fakorede, Ore (24 July 2012). "Hype Belied: The truth about Davido's debut album". YNaija. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
24. Okiche, Wilfred (18 September 2012). "Wilfred Okiche: Amateurish, overlong and understuffed – Davido's 'Omo Baba Olowo' album review". Daily Post. Retrieved 18 March 2014.