Dave New Album 'The Boy Who Played The Harp': Release Date, Tracklist, Features & More

24 October 2025, 13:13

Dave New Album: Release Date, Tracklist, Features & More. Picture: DAVE J. HOGAN GETTY IMAGES

By Shanai Dunglinson

By Anna Suffolk

Dave has released his third album! The project has proven a hit with fans and here is everything there is to know about it. Why is the album called 'The Boy Who Played The Harp'? Who is Dave's mysterious girlfriend? Who is on the album? What is the tracklist? Here's the rundown on Dave's hotly anticipated third album.

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Watch the trailer for DAVE

Rapper Dave has released his third album, following teasing fans with some pretty cryptic posts with fellow musicians Central Cee and Skepta.

The 'Location' rapper announced in a post on October 1st that the album was coming, revealing its name and its release date - so what are all the hidden meanings?

His next project follows the release of the 2017 EP 'Game Over', 2019's 'Psychodrama', and 2021's 'We're All Alone In This Together'.

Dave released the track ahead of his third album. — Dave is set to release his next album. . Picture: Getty

The 26-year-old's debut album won the Mercury Prize & Album of the Year at the 2020 BRIT Awards, and has kept fans waiting for a new project.

So, when is Dave releasing his third album, what is it called, and does Drake feature on it? Here's all we know.

Why is Dave's album called 'The Boy Who Played The Harp'?

The rapper took to his Instagram on October 1st to announce the arrival of his third album, after over 2 years of no music releases.
His last release was a collaboration with Central Cee, 'Split Decision', back in 2023.
Dave revealed the album is called 'The Boy Who Played the Harp'.
The album cover features an ethereal image, fitting for the return of the artist.
This marks the return of the much-loved British rapper.

The Boy Who Played the Harp. Picture: Instagram via @santandave

The name is believed to be a biblical reference. The person who played the harp in the bible was King David, therefore being a reference to the rapper's birth name, David Orobosa Omoregie.
Dave is already laying down a bar within the album's title.
On release day the 'Selfish' rapper replied to a tweet from his mum who was sharing her pride for her boy, as well as confirming the titles namesake.
To which Santan replied: "Love you mummy."

To my David,
The boy who played the harp – chosen & anointed, just like your name. It is the joy of my life to witness you step into your purpose. You walk with a heart full of grace & integrity. God goes before you, my child, and I’m right behind you. Always.
Mummy @Santandave1
— Juliet O Foundation (@JulietOFdn) October 23, 2025
When will Dave's new album be released?

Dave originally teased that he was starting to work on the album, which we now know is called 'The Boy Who Played the Harp', in an Instagram post earlier this year.
The post was captioned: "Back to the motion." Dave included a handwritten note sharing that he is due to start working on his third solo album.
However, he has now announced the release date, and it is a whole lot sooner than you may think!
The new album will be released on October 24th!

Dave posted this about his new album on his Instagram. Picture: Instagram

Dave had become more active on social media in 2025, leading fans to believe he was gearing up to announce his third album, and they were right!
Fans are super excited for the return of the G.O.A.T!
One fan commented: "Bro remembered his spotify password 😭🔥"
Another said: "I could cry right now. Thankyou."

NEW DAVE SNIPPET 🚨 pic.twitter.com/kM99RUX8qF
— UK Rap Daily (@UKRapDaily) May 12, 2025

On his Birthday this year, he released a freestyle, as per his tradition.
The video sent the internet on fire, the minute freestyle being the closest sign of music since the rapper's last drop in 2023.
We now know it as a flavour of what is to come!
Who features on Dave's new album?

Dave revealed the features on his third album, preceding its release on October 24th.
Billboards popped up the week prior to release, revealing Tems, James Blake, Jim Legxacy, and Kano as official collaborators.
This follows the viral clip of Dave playing the piano alongside Tems as she sang, which built up excitement amongst fans earlier this year.

DAVE

‘THE BOY WHO PLAYED THE HARP’

FEATURING:

- JIM LEGXACY
- KANO
- TEMS
- JAMES BLAKE

DROPPING FRIDAY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/FBJLAqHCTx
— UK Rap Daily (@UKRapDaily) October 20, 2025

Tems & Santan Dave on a Song would be so Lit🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/8cNfgGeT4v
— Florence Hillary💎💘 (@Florence_Numez) February 24, 2025

Another sneaky feature that wasn't mentioned in the initial billoard tease was Nicole Blakk, a UK based upcoming rapper who is just 22.
Dave gave a haeratfelt shoutout to the UK Rap G.O.A.T Kano acknowledging his love and respect for the rapper.
He said: "I waited my whole life to rap with Kano. He made the first song I downloaded on pirate bay and limewire, we shared the screen now the mic and stage this means something to me."

🚨DAVE AND KANO HAVING A CONVERSATION ON CHAPTER 16

WHAT A MASTERPIECE😮‍💨💛#Dave #theboywhoplayedtheharp pic.twitter.com/aeVez6pM8N
— Afrocultur (@afrocultur) October 23, 2025

Whilst other artists commented on the album announcement including Chip, JME, Mazza, and Ty Dolla Sign, they are not on the next project - but who knows, they could be future collaborators?
Potter Payper even left a comment under the album announcement, getting fans hyped.
He wrote: "Don't tell em I'm on it yet."
The 'Funky Friday' rapper was recently spotted doing a fit check with none other than his album collaborator, James Blake, the pair clearly seeming like good friends.
This has built fans excitement up even more.

Dave & James Blake interviewed by The People Gallery! 💜 pic.twitter.com/U2AkPMkQOS
— NoteS. (@NoteSphere) October 22, 2025

There was a cryptic picture of Dave posted on rapper Drake's Instagram story earlier this year.
Drake and Dave haven't collaborated since 2016; however, the pair have kept a strong relationship ever since, him popping out at Wireless earlier this year.
However, Drizzy isn't on this project, but perhaps Dave could be on 'Iceman'.

Dave & Drake at Wireless 2025. Picture: Getty Images
What is the tracklist of Dave's new album 'The Boy Who Played The Harp'?

'The Boy Who Played The Harp' tracklist. Picture: Instagram via @santandave

On October 20th, Dave took the album rollout to the next level, revealing just how many songs are going to be on the album, as well as the official tracklist.
In total, there are 10 songs, 5 of them being features.
Here is the full tracklist:
1. History (ft. James Blake)
2. 175 Months
3. No Weapons (ft. Jim Legxacy)
4. Chapter 16 (ft. Kano)
5. Raindance (ft. Tems)
6. Selfish (ft. James Blake)
7. My 27th Birthday
8. Marvellous
9. Fairchild
10. The Boy Who Played The Harp
It was revealed that the title track, 'The Boy Who Played The Harp' was written by the rapper in collaboration with two of the Beatles, Paul McCartney and John Lennon!
This proves that the rapper is well respected even by some of the G.O.A.T.S.
Who is Dave's girlfriend?

Throughout Dave's newest album, he makes reference to a 'girl', in particular to the song 'Selfish', addressing his 'big' ex-girlfriend.
The rapper alludes to cheating on his partner at the time, and the song tackles the emotional toll of the guilt afterward.
In 2017, Santan released a song called 'How I Met my Ex', which could be the same person she refers to in this album.

Dave. Picture: Getty Images

The track 'Rainchild' with Tems also references a 'friends-to-lover relationship and mentions his desire to get married.
Whether or not he has a girlfriend currently is unknown.
He is rather private about his love life, always keeping it under wraps.
The only girl that has been linked to the ‘Sprinter’ rapper is called Besmira, however, it is not clear if this is who the rapper is referring to.