Award-winning Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has shed light on the circumstances that led to his collaboration with fellow Nigerian singer Omah Lay, revealing that the partnership was sparked by a candid public comment from the “Soso” crooner expressing doubts about Davido’s perception of him.
Davido made the revelation in a trending video interview that has since gained significant traction across social media platforms. In the broadcast, the DMW boss detailed how a moment during a livestream with American streamer Kai Cenat in Lagos opened the door for communication between the two artistes, eventually resulting in their collaboration on the song With You.
The backstory dates to last year when Omah Lay publicly admitted that he had long believed Davido disliked him. According to Omah Lay, this assumption changed after Davido played his songs during a widely watched livestream session with Kai Cenat, one of the most influential streamers globally. The moment quickly went viral, with fans praising Davido for spotlighting emerging and established talents within the Afrobeats space.
Speaking on how events unfolded, Davido explained that Kai Cenat’s visit to Nigeria played a pivotal role in connecting him with Omah Lay on a more personal level.
“How Omah Lay and I got together was, Kai Cenat came to Nigeria and I was driving him to the club, and then Omah Lay’s song came on,” Davido recounted. “Kai was like, ‘Who is this?’ And I said, ‘Oh! This is Omah Lay, he is hot.’”
Davido revealed that the interaction did not end there. The following day, Omah Lay took to social media to express his surprise and appreciation for the shoutout, while also confessing that he had previously thought Davido harboured negative feelings towards him.
“And then the next day, Omah Lay tweeted something like, ‘Wow! Davido gave me a shoutout on a livestream, I thought he hated me,’” Davido said. “I saw the tweet and I DMed him immediately.”
According to Davido, he was genuinely surprised by Omah Lay’s assumption and was quick to clear the air.
“I asked him, ‘Why would you think I hate you? We’ve never even met,’” he added.
The exchange marked the beginning of a new relationship between the two artistes. Davido disclosed that the private conversation quickly evolved into creative collaboration, as both musicians recognised the potential synergy between their sounds.
“We exchanged numbers after that and started going back and forth with music,” Davido explained. “We recorded about four songs together, and eventually he chose With You as the one we would release.”
The collaboration has since been widely praised by fans and music critics alike, who have commended the song’s emotional depth, smooth production, and the seamless blend of Davido’s melodic style with Omah Lay’s introspective vocals. With You stands out as one of the most celebrated tracks on Davido’s fifth studio album, 5ive.
Released to critical acclaim, 5ive showcases Davido’s artistic growth, versatility, and continued relevance in the ever-evolving Afrobeats landscape. The album features a mix of local and international collaborations, reinforcing Davido’s reputation as one of Africa’s most influential music exports.
The success of With You has further elevated Omah Lay’s profile, while also reinforcing Davido’s role as a unifying figure within the Nigerian music industry. Many fans have praised Davido for addressing misconceptions, supporting fellow artistes, and turning what could have been a misunderstanding into a chart-worthy collaboration.
Adding to the song’s achievements, With You has earned a nomination in the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards. The nomination marks another milestone for both artistes and highlights the growing global recognition of Afrobeats on one of the world’s most prestigious music platforms.
Industry observers have described the Grammy nod as a testament to the power of collaboration and authenticity within African music. It also underscores how open communication and mutual respect among artistes can lead to groundbreaking creative outcomes.
Davido’s account of the collaboration has resonated strongly with fans, many of whom see the story as a reminder of the importance of dialogue in an industry often shaped by assumptions and unspoken rivalries. For others, it further cements Davido’s image as an artiste who actively supports his peers and contributes to the collective growth of Afrobeats.
As Afrobeats continues its global ascent, stories such as this offer insight into the relationships and moments behind the music, revealing how simple interactions can lead to major cultural and commercial successes.
With With You gaining international recognition and 5ive continuing to perform strongly across streaming platforms, both Davido and Omah Lay appear poised for even greater milestones in their respective careers.
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