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A Better Time
A Better Time
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A Better Time
Studio album by
Released13 November 2020 (2020-11-13)
GenreAfropop
Length54:00
Label
Producer
Davido chronology
A Good Time
(2019)
A Better Time
(2020)
Timeless
(2023)
Singles from A Better Time
  1. "Fem"
    Released: 10 September 2020
  2. "So Crazy"
    Released: 9 November 2020
  3. "Jowo"
    Released: 4 December 2020
  4. "The Best"
    Released: 28 January 2021

A Better Time is the third studio album by Nigerian singer Davido. It was released on 13 November 2020, through Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), RCA Records and Sony Music.[1] The album features guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, Nas, Young Thug, Mayorkun, Chris Brown, Tiwa Savage, Mugeez, CKay, Lil Baby, Hit-Boy, Sho Madjozi, Bella Shmurda and Sauti Sol.[2] Its production was handled by Hit-Boy, Napji, Fresh VDM, Peruzzi and Speroach Beatz, among others.[3]

Davido had not planned to release an album in 2020, since he had announced a North American tour in support of his 2019 album, A Good Time and did not think he would have time to record, with the tour scheduled to begin in the winter and end in spring 2020.[4] However, in March 2020 he had to cancel the sold-out 26-show tour[5] due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,[6] and as a result returned to the studio to record the tracks that became A Better Time.[7]

Background

[edit]

Davido recorded A Better Time in Lagos, Nigeria, except for two songs ("Heaven" and Shopping Spree") which were recorded in Los Angeles. He told NME that "With the lockdown and me just being at home it gave me time to really work on the music rather than having to juggle it with being on the road. There was nothing to do. There were no shows. I was at home with my producers, just creating and creating all day."[8] NME described the album as making "a convincing case that the problems of the world really might just melt away – even if only momentarily – though a sense of escapism and the enduring powers of art and pop music."[9] He told Complex, "We (African people) always like to celebrate and A Better Time is that outlet to be free, be happy and hopeful for a better future."[10]

The album's cover art features Davido with his then-one-year-old son Ifeanyi Adeleke.[11]

Singles

[edit]

The album's lead single "Fem" was released on 11 September 2020.[12] It was produced by Napji. With lyrics in both English and Yoruba, the title translates from Yoruba roughly as "Shut up." It has been sung by #EndSARS protesters in Nigeria,[13] protests which Davido himself traveled to Abuja to join.[14] The video attracted a million views within nine hours of its release[15] and three million in its first 24 hours,[16] while the single reached No. 1 on Apple Music in at least eight countries, including Nigeria, where it held the top spot for four weeks.[17] It also hit No. 8 on Billboard's World digital Song Sales chart.[18]

The album's second single "So Crazy" was released on 9 November 2020. It featured Lil Baby and was produced by Nick Papz and Xander. The music video was directed by David Wept and filmed in Los Angeles.[19]

The third single, "Jowo", was released on 4 December 2020, produced by Napji and Magicboi. The video, directed by Dammy Twitch and shot in Lagos,[20] received more than 24 million views on YouTube in its first four months.[21]

The fourth single, "The Best", was produced by Mayorkun and Senzi and released on 28 January 2021. In the music video, filmed in Lagos and directed by Dammy Twitch, the two artists paid homage to Japanese culture.

Critical reception

[edit]

In one of the first reviews to appear, Kevin EG Perry of NME awarded A Better Time 4 stars out of 5, comparing the album to its predecessor A Good Time as follows: "While it remains to be seen whether it can capture the zeitgeist in the way that its predecessor did, this 17-track collection certainly matches up in terms of tunes." Perry added: "clearly his good vibes are contagious. That’s true of the whole record, which is heavy on steel drums, synths and horns and light on trouble."[22]

Tochi Imo of Clash Music wrote, "The feature-heavy project sees Davido match up with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Lil Baby on a tape filled with a mixture of both high and gentle energies throughout. Themes such as romance frequent the project and whilst Davido doesn’t stray too far from his lyrical comfort zone, we can enjoy an artist we know and love in his newest record."[23]

A mixed review by Wale Oloworekende at The Native stated: "Too many times on A Better Time, Davido’s hits-focused approach impedes the continuity of exciting concepts and sacrifices cohesion for dynamism, but the tradeoff is a body of work that doubles down on Davido’s worldview and presents a clear vision of how Nigerian pop can dovetail with American hip-hop at full blast."[24] Tomiwa at Too Xclusive wrote that the album was "a show of growth and development, although there are quite some misses on this one, the fact that he didn’t change the status quo and still kept it fresh with a slew of incredible features that makes it spectacular."[25]

Accolades

[edit]

At the 6th ceremony of All Africa Music Awards, A Better Time received a nomination for Album of the Year.[26]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2021 A Better Time Album of the Year Nominated

Track listing

[edit]

Credits adapted from OkayAfrica.[27]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Fem"David AdelekeNapji3:22
2."Jowo"
  • Adeleke
  • Oladeinde Okubajo
  • Magicboi
  • Napji
2:56
3."Something Fishy"
  • Onome Ojoboh
  • Adeleke
Chillz2:53
4."Holy Ground" (featuring Nicki Minaj)Speroach2:42
5."Heaven"
  • Wale Kwame Adadevoh
  • Adeleke
El Jack3:10
6."Very Special"Dante2:44
7."The Best" (featuring Mayorkun)Mayorkun3:46
8."Shopping Spress" (featuring Chris Brown and Young Thug)
Masterdon3:33
9."Sunlight"AdelekeNapji2:11
10."Tanana"Kiddominant3:42
11."MeBe" (featuring Mugeez)
Speroach4:00
12."La La" (featuring CKay)
3:07
13."So Crazy" (featuring Lil Baby)
  • Nick Papz
  • Xander
2:50
14."Birthday Cake" (featuring Nas and Hit-Boy)
  • Adeleke
  • Nasir Jones
Hit-Boy2:50
15."I Got a Friend" (featuring Mayorkun & Sho Madjozi)
  • Adeleke
  • Mayowa
  • Asa Asika
  • Alwajud Umardeen
  • Bobo Ajudua
  • Lateef Raimi
  • Edward Chukuma-jiah
  • Maya Wegerif
  • Wilton Ricketts, Jr
Fresh VDM4:38
16."Fade" (featuring Bella Shmurda)Speroach3:26
17."On My Way" (featuring Sauti Sol)
Lord Sky3:50
Total length:54:00

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for A Better Time
Chart (2020) Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[28] 2
US World Albums (Billboard)[29] 4
UK Albums (OCC)[30] 88
US Billboard 200[31] 170

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label
Various 12 November 2020

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
is the third studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Davido, released on November 13, 2020, through Davido Music Worldwide, RCA Records, and Sony Music. The project comprises 17 tracks, including collaborations with international artists such as Nicki Minaj on "Holy Ground," Chris Brown on "Shopping Spree," and Nas on "Birthday Cake." Recorded primarily in Lagos amid global challenges, the album emphasizes themes of escapism and optimism through Afrobeats-infused production. It achieved significant commercial success, setting streaming records in Africa upon release and surpassing 100,000 units sold in the United States, while peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and number 4 on the World Albums chart.

Background and development

Career context

Westlife entered a hiatus following the conclusion of their Greatest Hits Tour on June 23, 2012, after 14 years of activity that included 10 studio albums and numerous chart-topping singles. The band's original lineup had reduced from five members—, , , , and —after McFadden's departure in 2004, leaving the remaining four to continue until the disbandment. This period allowed members to pursue solo endeavors, with Byrne notably participating in and Egan focusing on family and business ventures, amid a shifting landscape dominated by digital streaming and new genres. The group reformed in October 2018 without McFadden, reuniting Filan, Egan, Feehily, and under a new deal with Universal Music to prioritize original compositions over past reliance on covers, signaling an intent to adapt to contemporary production standards. Their comeback album, , released on November 15, 2019, debuted at number one on the and topped charts in Ireland, Scotland, and other territories, driven by singles such as "" and collaborations with songwriters like . This success underscored an enduring fanbase loyalty, evidenced by Westlife's historical sales exceeding 55 million records worldwide, which sustained demand despite the hiatus and evolving industry dynamics. Leading into A Better Time, the band committed to further evolution by emphasizing self-penned tracks and modern pop elements, moving away from the cover-heavy approach of their early 2000s releases—such as renditions of and —toward a catalog increasingly featuring original material co-written by themselves. This strategic shift, informed by 's blend of new songs and reinterpretations, positioned the trio—wait, no, the four—to reclaim relevance in a market favoring authenticity and innovation over nostalgic revivals.

Conception

Davido began conceiving A Better Time in early 2020 amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted his touring schedule and provided unanticipated studio time in Lagos, Nigeria. Having released his sophomore album A Good Time in July 2019, he shifted focus from live performances to song creation, stating that "the pandemic had a lot to do with it because I was on tour, which I had to stop." This enforced pause allowed for prolific recording, with the initial sessions spanning two to three months and lacking a rigid structure, as Davido noted, "when I first started recording it, I had no plan, I just wanted to have fun with it." The album's foundational ideas emerged from personal and environmental reflections during , influenced by Davido's immersion in life, interactions with friends and family, and a broader of resilience. These elements shaped an emphasis on uplifting content, prioritizing joy and to counter global turmoil, as he described the project as consisting "only of that makes people happy," aligned with an African cultural tendency to seek positivity amid adversity. Rather than introspecting on career longevity or temporal themes explicitly, the motivations centered on spontaneous and fan connection, fostering through accessible Afrobeats-infused tracks designed for broad appeal without chasing transient trends.

Production

Songwriting and collaborators

Davido served as the primary songwriter for A Better Time, contributing lyrics and conceptual direction across its 17 original tracks, which eschew covers in favor of self-penned material reflecting his maturation as an artist amid global Afrobeats expansion. Co-writing credits extend to featured guests, who shaped verses aligned with the album's motifs of romance, resilience, and festivity; for instance, Nicki Minaj co-wrote her rapid-fire contributions to "Holy Ground," while Nas infused introspective bars into the Hit-Boy-produced "Birthday Cake." Additional input came from (DMW) affiliates, including and , who bolstered tracks like "The Best" and "No Competition" with relational narratives drawn from shared industry experiences, prioritizing raw emotional cadence over formulaic hooks. This collaborative approach marked a pivot from Davido's earlier reliance on external hitsmiths, enabling causal progression toward autonomous output despite skepticism toward non-Western acts' longevity in mainstream circuits. Producers such as (on "Jowo") and Shizzi integrated melodic frameworks during writing sessions, ensuring lyrics synced with rhythmic authenticity rooted in Nigerian pop sensibilities.

Recording process

The recording of A Better Time occurred primarily in Davido's home studio in , , during 2020. Davido assembled a rotating team of producers at the location, facilitating continuous sessions that extended through all hours of the day and night. This setup persisted amid restrictions in , which began in March 2020 and included intermittent lockdowns, but the home-based environment enabled sustained productivity without major interruptions noted in available accounts. Production logistics emphasized in-person collaboration in for most tracks, with producers such as , Napji, Fresh VDM, and Speroach Beatz contributing to the sessions. Certain elements, including vocals for select songs, were handled remotely or in alternative locations prior to final assembly, reflecting adaptations to travel limitations imposed by the starting mid-year. The process culminated in a rapid completion phase, with reporting accumulation of numerous tracks over approximately two to three months of intensive work.

Composition

Musical style

A Better Time is characterized by its core sound, blended with Afropop, R&B, hip-hop, and influences, creating a high-energy, dance-oriented aesthetic across its 17 tracks. Production emphasizes infectious rhythms and vibrant instrumentals, including synths, horns, steel drums, and trumpets in upbeat selections like "FEM," which deploys celebratory brass for a perky, party-anthem drive. Mellower arrangements appear in tracks such as "Jowo," featuring tender piano and soft drums to underpin emotional Afropop flows, alongside wavy, laid-back tones in cuts like "Holy Ground." Subtle electronic synths and sampled elements, including a nod to Sade's 1985 track "The Sweetest Taboo" in the closer "On My Way," add modern polish without dominating the organic percussion and vocal-forward structure typical of Afrobeats. This balance of high-octane escapism and gentler introspection maintains melodic accessibility, with Afro-house infusions in songs like "Heaven" extending rhythmic sway.

Themes and lyrics

The lyrics of A Better Time revolve around romantic devotion, personal triumph over adversity, and hopeful introspection, framing the album title as an aspiration for improved circumstances amid 2020's global upheavals. opens with a spoken-word reflection on enduring "crazy times," positioning the project as a call to internal resilience and rather than external blame. This motif recurs in boasts of hard-won success, as in "FEM," where he demands respect earned through persistence while dismissing envy as a natural outcome of achievement. Romantic relationships form a core thread, emphasizing enduring emotional bonds over transient encounters. In "Jowo," Davido pleads for lifelong commitment, likening love to destiny and vowing unwavering loyalty despite external pressures, with lines like "I no fit tire for your matter" underscoring relational perseverance. "Heaven" extends this to sensual reverence, portraying a partner as divine inspiration that evokes vulnerability and lasting affection, prioritizing mutual fulfillment. Such portrayals highlight causal outcomes of invested partnerships—stability from fidelity—without delving into abstract ideals, aligning with Davido's persona of straightforward, celebratory narratives free from partisan undertones. Tracks like "The Best" and "The Farewell" evoke redemption through self-betterment and closure, reflecting on life's choices yielding growth or necessary partings. "The Best" asserts transformation via , taunting skeptics with evidence of elevated status as proof of deliberate paths taken. Fatherhood subtly informs this lens, as seen in sentimental nods to legacy and provision, reinforcing priorities of family continuity over ephemeral pursuits. Overall, the favor relatable universals—love's endurance, ambition's rewards—over trendy polemics, evidenced by their broad resonance in hits that prioritize emotional authenticity.

Release and promotion

Singles

"Fem" served as the from A Better Time, released on , 2020. The track quickly ascended to number one on Apple Music's Top 100 chart within three hours of its debut, maintaining the top position for weeks and demonstrating strong domestic streaming performance. As a high-energy song with percussive rhythms and assertive lyrics addressing resilience and industry challenges, "Fem" generated significant pre-album buzz in , amplified by its official which garnered millions of views on shortly after release. "So Crazy", featuring American rapper , followed as the second pre-album single on November 9, , just days before the album's launch. Produced by Nick Papz and , the collaboration blended with trap elements, focusing on themes of attraction and escapism, and was accompanied by a vibrant showcasing luxurious settings and the artists' chemistry. While it contributed to international visibility through Lil Baby's fanbase, the track elicited mixed feedback, with some critics noting production inconsistencies despite its catchy hooks. These singles strategically previewed the album's fusion of personal introspection and global collaborations, heightening anticipation amid the global by leveraging streaming platforms and for rapid dissemination.

Marketing strategies

A Better Time was released on November 13, 2020, through , , and , primarily in digital formats available across major streaming platforms such as and , reflecting the industry's shift toward digital distribution amid the . While physical releases like CDs or vinyl were not prominently issued for the album, digital accessibility enabled immediate global rollout to fans, with pre-orders announced as early as October 10, 2020, building anticipation through online platforms. This approach prioritized verifiable streaming metrics over traditional retail, allowing to demonstrate rapid success, such as surpassing 100 million streams across platforms within three days of launch, as shared via his . Promotional efforts adapted to pandemic constraints by emphasizing virtual events and engagement to reach international audiences, particularly in regions with strong Afrobeats traction like and the . A key tactic included the Trace Live "A Better Time" session on November 11, 2020, which offered for global viewers alongside limited in-person tickets won via contests on Trace Naija's platforms, fostering direct fan interaction without large-scale physical tours. Additionally, Spotify's "Routes of Inspiration" campaign featured sharing his creative process virtually, providing behind-the-scenes content to connect with fans deprived of live shows and amplifying the album's themes of during global uncertainty. The strategy leveraged high-profile international collaborations—such as with , , , and —to enhance crossover appeal on streaming algorithms, targeting non-African markets where playlist placements drove listenership gains. Social media teasers and milestone announcements on further reinforced Davido's brand as a reliable exporter, countering perceptions of regional limitation by highlighting empirical data like U.S. iTunes chart performance and total streams, which underscored sustained global demand despite media focus on emerging genres. This data-driven promotion emphasized quantifiable engagement over narrative hype, aligning with digital-era tactics where platform analytics validate artist relevance.

Reception

Critical reception

A Better Time received mixed reviews from music critics, who praised Davido's vocal delivery and energetic production while critiquing the album's reliance on familiar formulas and lack of cohesive innovation. awarded it four out of five stars, highlighting its "joyous party anthems" designed for escapism amid global challenges, with tracks like "FEM" evolving into anthems of resistance despite the album's predominantly upbeat tone. Similarly, Ratings Game Music commended Davido's passionate and vibrant singing over high-octane Afropop and R&B instrumentals, noting the absence of dull moments across its 17 tracks. Critics such as Clash Magazine, however, argued that the project fell short of surpassing its predecessor , describing it as a feature-heavy collection blending high and gentle energies but lacking elevated artistic progression. Outlets like Urban Central echoed this, portraying A Better Time as a assortment of potential hits and average singles rather than a unified album experience, though suitable for fans seeking accessible, feel-good pop. contextualized the release amid Nigeria's turbulent , appreciating Davido's lighthearted focus as a to heavier themes, yet implying a formulaic approach prioritizing broad appeal over deeper experimentation. Positive assessments emphasized the album's strengths in vocal harmonies and production polish, attributing its appeal to Davido's consistent party-oriented charisma rather than radical departure. Detractors' concerns over perceived staleness often overlooked the genre's empirical emphasis on repeatable hooks for audience engagement, as evidenced by the project's track sequencing favoring immediate accessibility over narrative depth. Overall, reception balanced acclaim for emotional and sonic vibrancy against calls for greater originality, reflecting divides in evaluating pop longevity through commercial viability versus elite artistic benchmarks.

Public and commercial response

A Better Time achieved modest commercial success in Western markets, debuting at number 60 on the UK Albums Chart and number 170 on the US Billboard 200, reflecting limited initial physical and download sales but bolstered by streaming equivalents. In the US, the album has accumulated over 100,000 units sold as of 2024, primarily driven by digital streams rather than traditional sales. UK cumulative sales stand at approximately 20,800 units, underscoring regional diaspora appeal over broad mainstream penetration. Streaming metrics highlight stronger global fan engagement, with the album garnering over 136 million plays on alone, contributing to Davido's overall catalog viability amid consistent releases. Public response manifested in sustained traction, where tracks like "Fem" and "La La" generated high shares and among enthusiasts, evidencing preference for accessible, rhythmic pop structures despite modest chart peaks. No major certifications were awarded to the album in like the or , though individual singles such as "" attained gold status, linking Davido's output frequency to enduring listener loyalty into 2025.

Track listing

Standard edition

The standard edition of A Better Time comprises 17 tracks, released on , 2020, emphasizing 's lead vocals across Afrobeats-infused originals produced for international pop markets by collaborators including and Speroach Beatz. The track order prioritizes pre-released singles at the outset for immediate engagement, followed by featured collaborations to sustain momentum, culminating in group-oriented closers that highlight communal resilience amid 2020's global challenges. Total runtime is 54 minutes.
  1. "Fem" (3:22)
  2. "Jowo" (2:56)
  3. "Something Fishy" (2:53)
  4. "Holy Ground" (featuring ) (2:42)
  5. "" (3:10)
  6. "Very Special"
  7. "" (featuring )
  8. "Shopping Spree" (featuring and )
  9. ""
  10. "Tanana" (featuring )
  11. "Mebe" (featuring Mugeez)
  12. "La La" (featuring )
  13. "" (featuring )
  14. "On My Way" (featuring )
  15. "Big Brain" (featuring )
  16. "Aya" (featuring )
  17. "Stand Strong" (featuring The Samples)
Songwriting credits primarily attribute Davido (David Adeleke) alongside featured artists and in-house contributors like for select tracks, with full production geared toward rhythmic accessibility.

Deluxe edition

The deluxe edition of A Better Time was not released, with the album distributed solely in its standard 17-track format across digital platforms and . Unlike 's subsequent album Timeless, which received a deluxe expansion in 2023 featuring additional tracks and remixes, no such variant or bonus content was announced or made available for A Better Time during its November 13, 2020, rollout or in subsequent years. This decision aligned with the album's streamlined promotion amid global events, including the and Nigeria's #EndSARS protests, prioritizing accessibility over collectible expansions. Fans seeking extended material turned to standalone singles or live performances rather than edition-specific bonuses.

Charts and certifications

Album performance

A Better Time debuted at number 170 on the Billboard 200 chart dated November 28, 2020, representing Davido's first appearance on the ranking after selling the equivalent of approximately 7,000 units in its opening week, primarily driven by streaming activity. It also reached number 2 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and number 4 on the World Albums chart, reflecting stronger performance among emerging and international releases. The album spent one week on the Billboard 200 and two weeks on the World Albums chart. In the , the album entered the Official Albums Chart at number 88, with one week in the Top 100, outperforming its predecessor 's peak of number 100 but falling short of later releases like Timeless at number 10. It charted at number 78 on the Irish Albums Chart for one week, indicating modest European traction limited by physical sales and download metrics amid dominant streaming consumption.
Chart (2020)Peak PositionWeeks on Chart
US Billboard 2001701
UK Albums (OCC)881
Irish Albums (IRMA)781
US World Albums (Billboard)42
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)2Unknown
No certifications have been awarded for A Better Time by major bodies like the RIAA or BPI as of 2025, unlike Davido's subsequent albums such as Timeless, which achieved gold status in the US and silver in the UK based on higher equivalent unit sales exceeding 500,000 and 100,000 respectively. This positions A Better Time as a transitional project in Davido's discography, with chart longevity constrained by one-week runs on principal sales-based tallies, underscoring reliance on viral singles rather than sustained album consumption.

Singles performance

"Fem", the lead single from A Better Time released on September 10, 2020, debuted at number one on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart and maintained the top position for nine consecutive weeks, marking the longest reign for any song on that chart at the time. It also achieved number one status on Apple Music Nigeria faster than any prior track, driving substantial pre-album streaming momentum that elevated overall project visibility upon the November 13 release. In the UK, "Fem" peaked at number three on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart with nine weeks on the listing, reflecting modest but sustained genre-specific traction amid limited mainstream radio support. "The Best", featuring and issued as a post-album single on , 2021, reached number seven on the UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart, bolstered by stronger digital streaming metrics compared to physical sales in Western markets. This track extended the album's promotional cycle, with its mid-tier peaks correlating to spikes in album equivalent units via bundled streams in fan-dense regions. Other singles like "Jowo" (December 4, 2020) similarly dominated Nigerian platforms, underscoring a pattern of high regional performance in that amplified global digital consumption without proportional Western chart breakthroughs.
SingleRelease DateNigeria TurnTable PeakUK Hip Hop/R&B PeakNotes on Streams/Synergy
"Fem"September 10, 2020#1 (9 weeks)#3 (9 weeks)Fastest #1 on Apple Music ; pre-release hype lifted album debut streams by sustaining artist momentum.
"The Best" (feat. )January 28, 2021#1 (multiple weeks)#7Emphasized digital over radio; post-release extension tied to album's sustained African chart presence.
These outcomes highlight disparities in chart metrics, with outsized success in markets like —where singles commanded top spots across platforms—contrasting tempered Western results, yet empirically linking single-driven buzz to the album's verifiable streaming uplift in non-traditional hubs.

References

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