Grammy-nominated Afrobeats superstar, Davido, has pulled back the curtain on the unexpected origin story of his hit song 'With You' featuring fellow Nigerian artist, Omah Lay. Contrary to a planned studio session, the track was born from a simple social media misunderstanding that blossomed into a major musical partnership.
The Livestream That Started It All
The chain of events began during American streamer Kai Cenat's visit to Lagos. Davido was chauffeuring Cenat to a club when a song by Stanley Omah Didia, known professionally as Omah Lay, came on. 'Kai Cenat came to Nigeria and I was driving him to the club, and then Omah Lay’s song comes up, and he was like, ‘Who is this?’' Davido recounted. The DMW boss promptly identified the artist, praising him by saying, 'Oh! This is Omah Lay, he is hot.'
The situation took a surprising turn the following day. Omah Lay, having seen clips of the livestream, took to social media with a tweet that read, 'Wow! Davido gave me a shoutout on a livestream, I thought he hated me.' This public expression of a perceived rivalry prompted Davido to reach out directly via private message to clarify the air.
From DM to Studio Session
Davido's immediate response was one of bafflement. 'I DMed him, ‘Why would you think I hate you? We’ve never met,’'' he said. This digital icebreaker opened the door for their first real conversation. The exchange quickly moved from social media to phone numbers, and soon after, to the recording studio.
Their creative chemistry was immediate. The pair recorded several songs during their sessions together. After reviewing their work, both artists unanimously agreed that one track stood head and shoulders above the rest. That track was 'With You', which they selected as the lead single for their collaboration. The song was later featured on Davido's fifth studio album, '5ive', released in April 2025.
A Chart-Topping and Award-Winning Success
The release of 'With You' was met with phenomenal success. The track resonated deeply with audiences, achieving the following milestones:
- Topping the TurnTable Top 100 chart in Nigeria.
- Securing strong positions on several international music charts.
- Being named the most shared Nigerian song of 2025 on Spotify, a testament to its viral appeal.
Beyond commercial performance, the song earned critical acclaim. Its unique sound, which highlife legend Bright Chimezie praised for its thoughtful blend of old and new Nigerian influences, caught the attention of awards bodies. The pinnacle of this recognition was a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards, cementing both artists' status on the global stage.
The song has become a staple in Davido's live performances, featuring prominently in every setlist during the Nigerian leg of his '5ive' tour. What began as an accidental online interaction has solidified into one of the most celebrated Nigerian musical partnerships of recent years, proving that sometimes the best collaborations come from the most unexpected places.
