Davido Explains How “With You” With Omah Lay Came From A Simple Misunderstanding
Afrobeat superstar Davido has revealed how his collaboration with Omah Lay came about, sharing that the partnership nearly didn’t happen due to a simple misunderstanding.
Last year, Omah Lay admitted he initially thought Davido “hated” him—until the DMW boss played his music during a livestream with American streamer Kai Cenat in Lagos. Surprised, Omah Lay tweeted about the moment, expressing disbelief that Davido had given him a shoutout despite them never having met.
Davido quickly reached out via direct message to clarify, asking why Omah Lay assumed that, and their collaboration began.
Davido explained: “Kai Cenat came to Nigeria and I was driving him to the club. Then Omah Lay’s song came up, and he was like, ‘Who is this?’ I said, ‘Oh! This is Omah Lay, he’s hot.’”
They exchanged numbers, shared music ideas, and recorded four songs together, with Omah Lay ultimately choosing “With You” for release. The track has since become a standout on Davido’s fifth album, 5ive, and is now nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Fans have praised Davido for supporting younger artists and staying humble, while Omah Lay was applauded for his honesty about his initial doubts. What began as a tweet and a misunderstanding turned into a Grammy-nominated hit, proving that open communication and genuine collaboration can create musical magic.
"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
