“With You” — How Davido & Omah Lay’s Collaboration Rescued the 5ives Album From Flopping

Hey buddy, I know what you’re probably thinking. But before you come for me, let me clarify — I’m a staunch Davido disciple. Not necessarily a diehard fanatic waving the full 30BG flag, but trust me: no Afrobeat artist captures my heart quite like Davido.

From his debut album Omo Baba Olowo in 2012, we waited seven long years for another major project, and then A Good Time was born. 2020 gave us A Better Time, and my personal favorite — Timeless, released in 2023 — a deeply emotional project shaped by Davido’s resilience following the heartbreaking loss of his son.

Now, fast forward to 2025: Davido drops his fifth studio album, 5ives.

But the big questions loomed: Was Davido in a rush to release another album? What was his true motive behind 5ives? These are multi-million-naira questions that only OBO (Omo Baba Olowo) himself can answer.

A Highly Anticipated Album With Mixed First Impressions

The 5ives album, clocking in at 17 songs over 49 minutes and 9 seconds, was one of the most anticipated Afrobeat drops of the year.

Just 48 hours before its official release on April 18, 2025, I had already listened to snippets of every track on Spotify. Despite the excitement, I couldn’t shake off a nagging feeling of doubt. Apart from already released bangers like “Awuke” and “Funds,” something felt… off.

Except for one track — Track 17: “With You” featuring Omah Lay.
From the snippet alone, I could sense that this song carried the signature Davido flow and melodious energy we’ve all come to love. I told myself, Vikoko, wait until the whole project is out before passing judgment.

Early Criticism — And One Track That Shone Bright

Mere hours after the album dropped, a wave of criticism swept across social media and music forums. Of course, some backlash was expected, especially from rival fanbases. But as someone who pays attention to objective critique, I noticed one consistent sentiment:

“With You” — featuring Omah Lay — stood head and shoulders above the rest of the album.

I wasn’t wrong after all. Omah Lay’s infectious rhythm, silky vocals, and emotional depth pulled the very best out of Davido. This track alone is the reason 5ives will not be remembered as an outright flop.

A Closer Look at “With You”: The Saving Grace

“With You,” the closing track on 5ives, weaves Omah Lay effortlessly into one of the album’s richest vocal arrangements. It’s livelier, more emotionally charged, and more sonically engaging than anything that precedes it — and arguably, anything else on the album.

Alhanislam’s opening poetry on the album declared Davido as active, vibrant, and determined — and he didn’t waste time proving it. From the amapiano log drums on the opening track “Anything,” where Davido celebrates resilience, to the sticky lyrics and bubbling delivery, the album initially feels promising.

However, as the project progresses, doubts creep in. Was Davido testing the waters? Was he exploring a new creative direction? Or, have we as fans become too accustomed to his signature vibe to appreciate him trying something different?

The Problem With 5ives: A Lack of Cohesive Depth

When we compare 5ives to Timeless, the contrast is stark. Timeless offered musically rich gems like “Feel,” “For The Road,” “LCND,” “In The Garden,” “Away” and “No Competition” (with Asake). These weren’t just hits — they were layered, thoughtful compositions.

5ives, by contrast, feels more like a collection of singles assembled in the hopes of scoring chart-toppers. For variety, Davido leaned heavily on collaborations. Some worked brilliantly; others fell flat.

But one thing is certain: Davido’s collaboration with Omah Lay on “With You” saved this album from critical collapse. It will likely go down as one of the best Afrobeats collaborations of the modern era.

Breaking Records: “With You” Dominates the Charts

Numbers don’t lie.

In a landmark achievement, Davido made history on Spotify Nigeria with “With You” — setting a new record for the highest opening first week. The track pulled an incredible 4.98 million streams, surpassing the previous record held by Davido’s own “Funds” (featuring OdumoduBlvck and Chike).

But it doesn’t stop there.

“With You” became Davido’s 11th No. 1 song on the TurnTable Top 100, joining the ranks of his mega-hit “FEM” from 2020. 5ives has already delivered three chart-topping singles — “Awuke” (featuring YG Marley), “Funds” (featuring OdumoduBlvck and Chike), and now “With You” — but it’s the Omah Lay collaboration that truly stands out.

On YouTube, the official audio has racked up 3.2 million views as of May 6, 2025. On TikTok, the song has been used in over 1.1 million videos, inspiring viral dance challenges, covers, skits, and countless creative spins.

Final Thoughts: Omah Lay’s Impact Cannot Be Overstated

Look, my opinion doesn’t have to be universally accepted. But let’s be honest: without “With You,” Davido’s 5ives album would have struggled to leave a lasting impact.

Thank you, Omah Lay, for saving 5ives from being written off as a flop. This collaboration is a masterclass in synergy, proving once again that when two Afrobeat giants come together, magic happens.

Victor Emmanuel Onuh is My Name
Vikoko