Davido remixes viral Nigerian hit Ogechi

‘Ogechi’, originally sang by Brown Joel, BoyPee and Hyce and produced by Dawie, was first released on 15 May. Primarily rendered in English, pidgin and Igbo, the track honours the traditional rhythms of southeastern Nigeria. Lyrically, ‘Ogechi’ caters to the subjects of romantic love and commitment.

Following its release, the song was used in more than 300 000 videos, securing top 10 placements on both Apple Music Nigeria and TurnTable Top 100 charts.

The remix replaces ‘Ogechi’, a keyword in the song’s hook with ‘Chioma’, which is the name of Davido’s wife. The song’s arrival coincides with Davido’s traditional wedding to Chioma Avril Rowland on 25 June, and was performed during the ceremony in Lagos.

The viral success of ‘Ogechi’ makes Brown Joel, BoyPee and Hyce the latest breakout stars from Nigeria. It also adds to a growing list of emerging stars who have benefited from Davido-assisted remixes, notably, Humblesmith’s ‘Osinachi’ (2016), Ajebo Hustlers’ ‘Barawo’ (2020), and Skiibii’s ‘Baddest Boy’ (2022).

Davido, a multiple Grammy nominee, recently lauded the Recording Academy’s partnership with African and Middle Eastern ministries and stakeholders to support global music creators, stressing that the move “acknowledges our vibrant talent and the global influence of African music. This initiative offers a platform for creators, elevating our cultural expressions and uniting us through music.”

Meanwhile, Davido’s wedding to Chioma has been the focus of attention all week in Nigeria, with the hashtag #Chivido2024 dominating social media trends. The ceremony attracted a long list of fellow music stars, celebrities and politicians, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.