Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, has released I Know Who I Be, marking the arrival of the Davido first 2026 single and his return to solo music this year.
The track, released on Friday, features South African artistes Jazzwrld and GL_Ceejay, bringing together emerging Southern African sounds with Davido’s signature Afrobeats style.
The song became available across major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music, shortly after the singer announced its release on his social media channels.
“I Know Who I Be” represents the first collaboration between Davido and Jazzwrld, adding a fresh dynamic to the Nigerian singer’s growing catalogue of cross-border African partnerships.
The release also marks Davido’s first new solo offering of 2026 following a relatively quiet period, although the award-winning musician has remained active through performances and collaborations.
Davido, one of Africa’s most influential recording artistes, has consistently expanded his international footprint through partnerships with musicians from across the continent and beyond.
The latest collaboration continues that strategy while reinforcing the increasing integration of Nigeria and South Africa’s music industries.
The singer enjoyed a successful 2025 following the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive, which produced several charting songs and attracted international attention.
Industry observers say the arrival of Davido first 2026 single signals the beginning of another active release cycle for the Grammy-nominated performer.
Although Davido did not issue a formal statement alongside the release, the singer confirmed the song’s arrival in a post shared with millions of followers across his verified social media platforms.
The release comes at a time when Afrobeats continues to enjoy remarkable global momentum, with Nigerian artistes securing growing commercial success on international streaming platforms and major concert stages.
For Davido, I Know Who I Be adds another chapter to a career that has helped position Afrobeats among the world’s fastest-growing music genres.
Maryam Idris is a reporter and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
