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From Misunderstanding to Music: Davido Shares Story Behind Linking Up with Omah Lay
Afrobeats heavyweight Davido has shed fresh light on how his now-celebrated collaboration with Omah Lay came to life, revealing that the partnership was sparked by a surprising misconception Omah Lay believed the DMW boss disliked him.
The award-winning singer shared the story while reflecting on the journey behind With You, a standout track on his fifth studio album, 5ive.
According to Davido, the song was never part of a grand plan but grew organically from a moment that caught both artistes off guard.
Recounting the incident, Davido explained that the turning point came during a viral livestream in Lagos with American streamer Kai Cenat. While driving to a club, one of Omah Lay’s songs came on, instantly drawing Kai’s attention.
“How Omah Lay and I got together was, Kai Cenat came to Nigeria and I was driving him to the club. Then Omah Lay’s song came on and he was like, ‘Who is this?’ And I said, ‘Oh! This is Omah Lay, he is hot,’” Davido said.
Unbeknownst to Davido, that simple moment resonated deeply with Omah Lay. The following day, Davido noticed a tweet from the singer expressing surprise at the public shout-out — and confessing an assumption he had carried for a while.
“The next day, Omah Lay tweeted, ‘Wow! Davido gave me a shoutout on a livestream, I thought he hated me.’ And I DMed him, ‘Why would you think I hate you? We’ve never met,’” Davido added.
That brief exchange opened the door to something bigger. Davido revealed that the conversation quickly moved from social media to direct communication, eventually leading to studio time.
“We exchanged numbers and started going back and forth with music. We recorded about four songs and he chose ‘With You’ as the one we would release,” he explained.
Since its release, With You has grown into one of the most talked-about tracks on 5ive, earning critical praise and strong fan reception. The song’s impact has also been recognised on the global stage, securing a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
What began as a misunderstanding has now evolved into a milestone collaboration — a reminder that sometimes, the biggest records are born from the most unexpected moments.
“Why would you think I hate you?”
How Kai Cenat’s visit to Nigeria inspired Davido’s collaboration with Omah Lay. pic.twitter.com/jY2CsEWYL4
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) December 16, 2025