Davido recounts the origin of his bond with Zlatan
Nigerian megastar Davido has opened up about the beginnings of his close friendship with rapper Zlatan Ibile, revealing that it all started with a viral dance video. In a recent interview on Kiss Xtra FM, Davido explained how a spontaneous Instagram post led to a deep personal and professional relationship.
A viral moment in Angola
Davido recalled being in Angola for a show years ago when the Street Hop movement was gaining momentum in Nigeria. He admired the fresh and natural style of artists like Zlatan, Rahman Jago, and the Marlians. Zlatan had a hit song, and Davido, along with his DJ, made a dance video to it. He posted the video on Instagram, and it quickly gained traction, becoming his first post to reach one million views.
"I posted it on Instagram, and it went crazy. I think it was my first one million views on Instagram," Davido shared. The video was recorded in December 2017, featuring Davido and his DJ E Cool dancing to Zlatan's career-defining track 'My Body', which featured Olamide. The song propelled Zlatan to mainstream stardom and sparked one of Afrobeats' most notable friendships.
From music to brotherhood
After returning to Nigeria, Davido connected with Zlatan, and they began making music together. Their collaboration quickly evolved into a genuine friendship. "When I got back to Nigeria, we just started making music. We just became friends. One day, I just woke up, and I was like, 'damn, we are close.' That's my real brother. Outside music, we can spend hours on the phone speaking," Davido said, emphasizing the depth of their bond.
Collaborations over the years
The duo has worked on several hit records, including 'Sweet in the Middle' in 2019 and 'Money' in 2021. More recently, Davido featured on Zlatan's 2025 album 'Symbol of Hope' on the track 'Hip-Hop Messiah'. In 2025, both artists contributed guest verses to South African group TxC's smash hit 'Nakupenda'. Davido revealed that he recorded his part at Zlatan's studio, and Zlatan's playful freestyle was so good it became part of the song.
Davido's upcoming album 'ORIADE'
In the interview, Davido also discussed his forthcoming album, describing it as a return to his roots. Initially intended as a surprise project, his team advised proper planning to give fans a great experience. The album, titled 'ORIADE', features 13 tracks and is scheduled for release on July 31.
