Davido makes Time 100 Next 2021 list

The list is as an addition to the American magazine’s flagship franchise Time 100, which features the most influential personalities globally. Time100 Next spotlights 100 emerging pathfinders across various sectors including entertainment, health, politics and business.

The ‘Fem’ singer was chosen alongside the likes of Nigerian-American writer Ijeoma Oluo, #EndSARS activists Feyikemi ‘FK’ Abudu, rapper Lil Baby, poet Amanda Gorman, pop singer Dua Lipa and footballer Marcus Rashford.

“Proud to be included in the #TIME100NEXT list,” tweeted Davido, whose profile for the list was written by fellow musician and Big Brother Naija winner Laycon.

“Davido is one of the biggest voices in Afrobeats because his music connects with people, often in ways that transcend his expectations,” Laycon wrote. “Afrobeats is a worldwide phenomenon, and Davido is one of many Nigerian artists who has made that possible; now more and more artists, from Nicki Minaj to Young Thug, want to work with him. By bringing Afrobeats to the global stage, he’s paved the way for people like me.”

Time editor-in-chief and CEO Edward Felsenthal said: “As we assembled our second annual Time Next list – an expansion of our flagship Time 100 franchise that highlights 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future – what struck me most was how its members are coping with crisis. Amid a global pandemic, deepening inequality, systemic injustice and existential questions about truth, democracy and the planet itself, the individuals on this year’s list provide ‘clear-eyed hope’ as actor, composer and director Lin-Manuel Miranda puts it in his tribute to poet and Time 100 Next honouree Amanda Gorman.” 

“Everyone on this list is poised to make history,” Time 100 editorial director Dan Macsai said. “And in fact, many already have.”

Meanwhile, Davido’s 2017 hit ‘If’ was recently certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. ‘If’ becomes the musician’s second record to reach gold in the US after ‘Fall’, which attained that status in May 2020. The two songs are also the only Afrobeats solo singles to go gold in the US.