Davido’s latest claims of a humble beginning in a “face-me-I-face-you” apartment, as heard in his new track CFMF off the 5ive album, are definitely sparking debate—especially considering his well-known wealthy background as the son of billionaire businessman Deji Adeleke.
In the lyrics, Davido gives credit to divine intervention for his rise:
“Started all the way from face me I face you…
And now, I am living real large all thanks to Jesu…”
This kind of “grass-to-grace” narrative is popular in Afrobeats and hip-hop culture, where artists often portray their journey from hardship to success. However, many fans are skeptical—pointing out that Davido has previously embraced his affluent upbringing, particularly in songs like Dami Duro, where he famously leaned into his “Omo Baba Olowo” (son of a rich man) persona.
It’s not the first time he’s blended the two narratives. In Back When, he tried to present a “struggle story,” claiming women ignored him when he had nothing. That track didn’t resonate as widely—possibly because of the perceived disconnect between his real-life background and the story he was telling.
So this latest verse feels like a callback to that earlier storytelling approach. Some fans appreciate it as creative expression or metaphorical (“starting from zero” emotionally or musically), while others see it as a stretch.