A social media mix-up between Nigerian artists Davido and Omah Lay unexpectedly led to their hit collaboration 'With You'. The track, born from a perceived slight, has since topped charts and earned Grammy recognition. Davido shared the story during reflections on his album '5ive'.
Grammy-nominated artist Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, recently detailed the origins of his duet with Omah Lay, born Stanley Omah Didia. The collaboration stemmed from a lighthearted moment during American streamer Kai Cenat's visit to Lagos. While driving to a club, Davido played one of Omah Lay's tracks on a livestream. When Cenat inquired about the artist, Davido replied, 'Oh! This is Omah Lay, he is hot.'
The next day, Omah Lay posted on social media: 'Wow! Davido gave me a shoutout on a livestream, I thought he hated me.' Surprised, Davido messaged him directly: 'Why would you think I hate you? We’ve never met.' This exchange cleared the air and sparked further dialogue. The pair soon swapped phone numbers and headed to the studio, recording multiple tracks before selecting 'With You' as the standout.
Featured on Davido's fifth album, '5ive', released in April 2025, the song quickly gained traction. It topped the TurnTable Top 100 chart and performed well internationally. Spotify dubbed it the most shared Nigerian song of 2025. Critically, it secured a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards, highlighting the duo's global appeal.
'With You' has remained a staple in live performances, including Davido's Nigerian tour dates for '5ive'. Highlife veteran Bright Chimezie commended the track for its respectful nod to his classic influences, blending traditional and modern Nigerian sounds effectively.
