Davido Reveals Why He Collaborated With Omah Lay

The power of social media to bridge gaps between superstars has been highlighted once again as Afrobeats heavyweight Davido detailed the unexpected origin of his partnership with Omah Lay. The DMW boss revealed that the synergy between the two artists was actually born out of a misunderstanding, specifically Omah Lay’s public admission that he believed Davido harbored a personal dislike for him.

The narrative began last year during a high-profile visit to Lagos by American Twitch sensation Kai Cenat. While Davido was hosting the streamer and driving him through the city, Omah Lay’s music came on the car stereo. Impressed by the sound, Cenat inquired about the artist, to which Davido enthusiastically replied that Omah Lay was “hot.” The endorsement was captured on a livestream watched by millions, eventually reaching the Soso crooner himself.

Omah Lay’s reaction was one of stunned surprise. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he confessed to his followers that he was shocked by the shoutout because he had spent a significant amount of time assuming Davido “hated” him. This public display of vulnerability prompted an immediate response from Davido, who reached out via Direct Message to clear the air. “I DMed him, ‘Why would you think I hate you? We’ve never met,’” Davido recalled in a recent broadcast.

That digital icebreaker paved the way for a genuine creative relationship. The two stars eventually exchanged numbers and began a prolific period of “back-and-forth” musical experimentation. According to Davido, the duo actually recorded approximately four tracks together before Omah Lay settled on the rhythmic and soulful With You as the definitive collaboration for the public.

The choice proved to be prophetic. With You emerged as a standout gem on Davido’s fifth studio album, titled 5ive, and has since transcended local charts to achieve international acclaim. The track has officially been nominated for the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards, proving that a collaboration born out of a perceived rivalry has become one of the most successful African musical exports of the year.