Nigerian artist Davido has been recognized as a featured artist in King Charles III’s exclusive music playlist, titled The King’s Music Room. The playlist includes “Kante,” a hit collaboration with singer Fave from Davido’s Grammy-nominated album, Timeless, released in 2023.
Unveiled in celebration of Commonwealth Day 2025, this playlist showcases musical talents from throughout the Commonwealth, reflecting the monarch’s appreciation for global sounds. Curated by King Charles himself, The King’s Music Room features a diverse range of genres, including disco, reggae, and afrobeat, alongside contributions from music icons such as Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones, RAYE, and Davido.
In a statement, King Charles III expressed the profound personal significance music holds for him and many others. The 76-year-old monarch remarked, “Music has meant a great deal to me throughout my life. I know that is also the case for so many others. It has a remarkable ability to evoke happy memories, comfort us in times of sorrow, and transport us to distant places.”
He added, “Above all, music can elevate our spirits, especially when it brings us together in celebration and joy. This seemed an interesting and innovative way to celebrate this year’s Commonwealth Day.”
On the inclusion of Davido, the King shared his fondness for pidgin English, recalling his attempt to deliver a speech in pidgin during his last trip to Nigeria. He also noted the growing global popularity of Afrobeats, saying, “It also features lyrics in pidgin which I love in all its forms, and in which I attempted to make a speech when I last visited Nigeria. Thanks to Afrobeats, it is becoming ever more popular around the world.”
Here’s a look at the complete playlist:
- Bob Marley & The Wailers – ‘Could You Be Loved’
- Millie Small – ‘My Boy Lollipop’
- Kylie Minogue – ‘The Loco-Motion’
- Al Bowlly – ‘The Very Thought of You’
- Grace Jones – ‘La Vie En Rose’
- RAYE – ‘Love Me Again’
- Daddy Lumba – ‘Mpempem Do Me’
- Davido – ‘Kante’ (feat. Fave)
- Miriam Makeba – ‘The Click Song’
- Jools Holland & Ruby Turner – ‘My Country Man’
- Anoushka Shankar – ‘Indian Summer’
- Siti Nurhaliza – ‘Anta Permana’
- Dame Kiri Te Kanawa – ‘E Te Iwi E (Call to the People)’
- Michael Buble – ‘Haven’t Met You Yet’
- Arrow – ‘Hot Hot Hot’
- Beyoncé – ‘Crazy in Love’ (feat. Jay-Z)
- Diana Ross – ‘Upside Down’
The King’s Music Room playlist will be available exclusively on Apple Music in honor of Commonwealth Day 2025, celebrated on March 11.
