There is one thing years of listening to Davido have taught me. Never judge his music too early. He has built a career around creating songs that grow on listeners through energy rather than technical brilliance. His latest record, I Know Who I Be, featuring JAZZWRLD and GL_Ceejay, follows that same formula.
This is not a song that wins because of outstanding songwriting or complex melodies. It wins because it understands exactly what it wants to be. It is a record built around confidence, celebration and a catchy phrase that listeners can easily adopt. That is where its strength lies.
A Return to the Omo Baba Olowo Era
Listening to I Know Who I Be immediately brings back memories of Davido’s Omo Baba Olowo period. During that era, his music focused less on lyrical depth and more on confidence, luxury and making statements that fans could proudly sing along to.
The title itself captures that mindset. It is about self belief, knowing your worth and refusing to let anyone define your identity. Throughout the song, Davido presents himself as someone who knows exactly who he is and what he represents. There is no uncertainty in the message.
That simple idea is what makes the record relatable. It gives listeners a line they can use as their own declaration of confidence.
Production Delivers the Biggest Highlight
The production is easily one of the strongest parts of the record.
The instrumental shares similarities with the soundscape of Unavailable. The drum programming follows a familiar pattern, but instead of fully embracing Amapiano, this production leans more toward an EDM inspired direction. Heavy pad sounds dominate the instrumental while the bassline pushes the record forward with enough energy to keep the momentum alive.
JAZZWRLD deserves credit for creating a beat that feels large enough for parties and outdoor events. The instrumental carries the record from beginning to end and provides the atmosphere that makes the song memorable.
This is the type of production that DJs will enjoy because it naturally creates excitement once it starts playing.
An Unusual Collaboration
Although the record is credited to Davido featuring JAZZWRLD and GL_Ceejay, the collaboration feels different from what most listeners would expect.
Neither guest artist delivers a full verse. Instead, Davido remains the dominant voice throughout the song while JAZZWRLD also contributes behind the scenes as the producer.
For listeners expecting multiple performances, this may come as a surprise. The featured artists function more as creative contributors than traditional guest performers.
Strong Energy But Weak Songwriting
The biggest weakness of I Know Who I Be is its lyrical content.
The song relies heavily on repetition and confidence driven statements instead of developing fresh ideas. That approach works within the context of a party record, but it also limits how much replay value the song may have outside that environment.
Much of the record revolves around reminding listeners of Davido’s success, status and influence. While those themes fit his public image, they are explored without much variation.
This is becoming a recurring trend in modern Afrobeats where production often receives far more attention than songwriting.
The Intro Lasts Longer Than It Should
One of my biggest criticisms is the extended instrumental introduction.
A significant portion of the opening is dedicated to building anticipation before the chorus arrives. The problem is not that the intro exists. The problem is that it does not introduce any particularly memorable musical idea.
Its primary purpose is to act as a riser that prepares listeners for the chorus. Beyond that, it contributes very little.
This has become increasingly common in recent Afrobeats releases where producers prioritise atmosphere over composition. While it works for clubs and festivals, it often weakens the traditional structure of a well written song.
Will It Become a Hit?
Probably.
Davido has mastered the art of creating records that spread quickly because they are easy to sing, dance to and use on social media. I Know Who I Be possesses those qualities.
The chorus is simple, memorable and built around a phrase that listeners can easily repeat. That alone gives the record commercial potential.
Whether it enjoys long term relevance is another conversation. It feels like one of those Afrobeats songs that arrives with massive excitement, dominates playlists for a while and gradually disappears as the next viral record arrives.
Final Verdict
I Know Who I Be is not among Davido’s most complete records from a songwriting perspective, but it succeeds where it matters most for its intended audience. The production is energetic, the chorus is memorable and the overall vibe makes it suitable for parties and celebrations.
Its biggest weaknesses are the repetitive lyrics, the unnecessarily long intro and the lack of musical depth beyond its central idea. Still, Davido once again proves that he understands how to create records that connect with listeners emotionally through energy rather than complexity.
Not every hit has to be lyrically sophisticated. Sometimes all a song needs is a memorable phrase, the right production and enough confidence to make people believe it.
