Daniel Regha Delivers Scathing Review of Davido’s ‘5ive’ Album, Fans React

Daniel Regha, a prominent social media analyst, made waves on April 18, 2025, when he boldly reviewed Davido’s just released fifth studio album, “5ive,” on X.

The Lagos-based critic was unreserved in his criticism of the album, calling out its uninspired collaborations and sloppy poetry.

He criticised “10 Kilo” for using the term “Orọbọ,” which he claimed may be interpreted as body-shaming, and pointed to the Omah Lay song “With You” as a lost chance.

In his post, Regha remarked:

”5ive” the album review: -“With You” ft. Omah Lay is a fumbled collab, literally nothing to speak of. In the track “Titanium”, Davido wasn’t really on the same page with Chris Brown, and the song is basically the same as “Anything”. Again, when it comes to wordplay, Davido has terrible writing/rhyming skills. Words like Wheel-barrow, Toy-toy-toy, in the songs “R&B”, and “Don’t Know” are examples. In the track “CFMF”, the “face me, I face you” reference couldn’t be less accurate, since his rich background is no news. “10 Kilo” promotes bodyshamimg, as “Orọbọ” is a discriminatory word that conveys ridicule. “Lately” has a miss in the second verse, multiple themes. Some of the remaining tracks sounds like songs that were left out of his previous.

Daniel Regha did concede, though, that Davido made wise decisions in selecting his foreign partners.

These songs kept the album from being a total failure even though they didn’t provide any big singles.

He came to the conclusion that the album’s listenability is mostly due to Davido’s unique style and his celebrity, but it offers minimal lyrical creativity.

Regha made it clear that no disrespect was meant despite giving it a 2 out of 10

“That said, Davido was smart with his choice of Int’l collabs, as much as these collabs aren’t hits, it saves the album from being a total fl@p. The project is only listenable thanks to Davido’s signature sound and hype, but when it to lyrical content, it offers nothing new. Great beats though. It’s a 2/10. No offense.”

In spite of Regha’s critical assessment, the record had already achieved significant economic success.

“5ive,” which was released on the same day, quickly rose to the top of the iTunes Top Albums and Apple Music charts in Nigeria, as well as 40 other nations.

The Gambia, Uganda, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, and Liberia all had it at the top of their charts.

Davido’s ongoing relevance was cemented when songs like “Anything” and “With You” reached the Top 10 on Nigeria’s Apple Music Top Songs Chart.

Fans on X said they thought the album might win a Grammy, while supporters, such as fellow musician Zlatan, commended Davido’s hard ethic.

The album’s economic success and the resolute backing of Davido’s 30BG fan base, who were eager to defend the project, seemed to outweigh Regha’s harsh criticism.

"5ive" the album review:

-"With You" ft. Omah Lay is a fumbled collab, literally nothing to speak of.
-In the track "Titanium", Davido wasn't really on the same page with Chris Brown, and the song is basically the same as "Anything".

Again, when it comes to wordplay, Davido…
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) April 18, 2025

See some reactions to Regha’s post below:

@abazwhyllzz said: “Werey rest,we no really send you and your ratings for here. I go soon call igwe make them give you award cos you too mümü”

@enricodaveed replied: “Having this much to say after barely 24hrs goes to show that you didn’t listen because you wanted to, You listened to drop your biased two cents which fortunately not anyone who cares about good music would care about. Get a life. – no offense”

@ossaivictor1_ said: “I don dey fast dey pray dey wait make you drop your review chief, Omo na only you get sense for this country now o. The song promotes lies, body shaming, that can never be my WizKid for real.”

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