Grammy 2026: Davido says ‘With You’ almost left off album

Five-time Grammy nominee Davido has revealed that his song With You, featuring Omah Lay, nearly did not appear on his album despite becoming one of his most successful releases and earning Grammy attention.

Speaking in an interview with OkayAfrica, shared by HYPETRIBE on Monday, the Afrobeats singer said the track was not initially favoured during internal listening sessions held before the album’s release.

“That song almost didn’t make the album. With You was not in anybody’s top five,” Davido said.

He explained that he usually shares his projects with friends and family for feedback and rankings before release. The later success of the track, he said, often made him reflect on how close it came to being excluded.

“Every time I was performing it, my heart would just start beating like, what if I didn’t put this song?” he added.

Davido also described how he received news of his latest Grammy nomination while in Dubai, shortly before his birthday.

“I was in the car, checking a car, and then my phone rang. They were like, ‘Oh yeah, another nomination.’ I was like, wow. Thank God,” he said.

With You went on to top the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart, reach number five on the US Billboard Afrobeats Songs Chart, debut at number one on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100, and exceed 100 million streams on Spotify. The song also won Most Iconic African Song at the 2025 AMAN Awards and earned Davido his fifth Grammy nomination.

However, Nigerian nominees did not win in their categories at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Davido, Omah Lay, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr and Wizkid all missed out. South Africa’s Tyla won Best African Music Performance for Push 2 Start, ahead of With You and other Nigerian entries.

Looking ahead, Davido said he is focused on touring and new music. He is scheduled to perform at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 11 and April 18 in Indio, California. He is the only Nigerian artist on this year’s lineup.

“Going back on tour, definitely more music. I’m about to do Coachella. Big plans,” he said.