MASTER OF GOBE (DAVIDO): SKELEWU VS DAMMY KRANE

Ever since his mergence into the music scene, it has been one controversy or the other for HKN boss, Davido. His first single, ‘Back When’ may not have completely launched him under the radar, but the follow-up, Dami Duro definitely did. The difference? The song, released when EME’s Wizkid was totally on fire, was in terms of style of almost everything, totally different from Back When. He had abandoned the Back When rhythm, and had moved base, some sort into a realm that Wizkid had made his. Did it work? Amidst rumours that Wizkid and Davido were not in good terms, Dami Duro did launch the Davido Spaceship into orbit, and made him a star. From then on, it seemed that everything he touched became gold. He released hit after hit, and that’s when the big controversies started.

Skuki

Back in June 2012, Davido’s unreleased song, No Visa featuring his cousin and label mate, Sina Rambo, was leaked online, and less than 24 hours later, Skuki released a new single ‘Move It’ with virtually the same beat.

According to reports at the time, Skuki, the original owner of the beat, co-produced the beat with their childhood friend, Theorysound. Davido's team were present when Theorysound played the yet to be released song and Davido said he wanted the same beat for his song." Theorysound surprisingly granted Davido’s request, and Skuki ended up distraught when they heard the finished product. Eventually, Davido publicly promised that the song wouldn’t make it to his album…. But it did. Track 7

Months later, infact almost a year later, Davido released Gobe. It was immediately accepted by music lovers, but then its ride to becoming a mega mega hit, was halted by screeching tires.

Rumour had it at the time that Davido had allegedly stolen the song from an up-and-coming act, Password. 

Password

Password had released a song of the same title in 2011, and Davido had just made a few tweaks to the verses and hook.

Twitter world was alive with curses and insults to the Mr David Adeleke, as a lot were quick to believe this to be true.

Soon enough, Davido quelled the controversy and rumours when he revealed that – although his new single is a re-make of Password‘s “Gobe” – his new single was in fact done with the artist and HKN’s in-house producer, Shizzi. A story many failed, and still fail to believe.

From left: Password, Davido, Shizzi

Davido’s Skelewu may yet be his biggest hit ever. But in it, another hullabaloo beckons. This time, it has nothing to do with a stolen song, or a jacked beat, but in the dance that the song projects.

Nigerian celebrities, the successful ones, all try to create a personal standout trademark. To some, it is the hairdo. To others, it could be the style of dressing. And some even go further with things like piercings etc.

Hypertek artiste, Dammy Krane has two known trademarks. The first is his style of music, which is very unique. And the 2nd is in his crazy dance routine. The combination, more or less, makes the brand Dammy Krane. 

Dammy Krane

Why are we bringing Dammy Krane into this issue?

The official Skelewu music video may not have been released just yet, but from the lyrics of the song, and the dance routine videos, it’s pretty obvious that the spirit of Dammy’s dance flows within Skelewu’s baseline. 

Dammy Krane’s opinion? In a phone conversation, Dammy expressed total dismay over the fact that Davido had nicked his dance routine without informing him. His single dash of hope came from the fact that he believes that every already knows that it’s his dance. But then, for how long? Nigerians that are in the know, are quick to forget, and with Davido’s star power, the Skelewu dance might very well reach nooks and crannies where the Dammy Krane vibe is unheard of. This may very well be another battle that Davido may win unfairly.

Dammy Krane

To round this all up, outside reported slaps from soldiers and Obas and semi-nude pictures getting taken by random chicks, Davido, originally talented Davido, needs not these kinds of controversies. Jacked beats and dance routines from already recognised acts might prove to be a crowd mover today, but in the long run, they could be very poisonous. Who knows how Dammy Krane’s management M.ET.AL, and his label Hypertek, will treat the issue, when the official Skelewu video eventually drops. World war D, perhaps. The master of Gobe should be wary of the battle that beckons.