Davido Nearly Omitted Omah Lay Collab from 5ive, Luckily, He Didn’t
In a candid interview with ABC News, Afrobeats megastar Davido revealed that one of 5ive’s standout tracks, “With You” featuring Omah Lay, nearly didn’t make the final cut. He admitted the memory still makes his heart race:
“It almost didn’t make the album… Every time I remember I almost took it off the album, my heart starts beating.”
Thankfully, he reconsidered. The decision paid off spectacularly, “With You” not only became the most successful song from the album but also emerged as one of the biggest Afrobeats hits of 2025. Davido even praised the collaboration, calling it “a true African classic”, and giving a special nod to Omah Lay.
Performing the song alongside Omah Lay, Davido delivered a standout moment during his 5 Alive North American tour. The duet electrified audiences, particularly at the 19,000-seat Scotiabank Arena in Canada.
This revelation serves as a powerful reminder of how close artists sometimes come to shelving what become their defining works, and why instinct matters.
Almost Cut: Davido nearly removed “With You” from 5ive.
A Hit Despite Doubt: The track became the album’s biggest success and a major Afrobeats anthem of 2025.
Live Highlight: The song’s live performance, especially in Canada, was a crowd favorite on the 5 Alive tour.
Acknowledging the Work: Davido publicly praised Omah Lay, celebrating their collaboration as a standout piece of African music.