Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)
by CKay (featuring Joeboy)

Album: single release only (2019)
Charted: 3 26
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Eugene Chukwuka Ekweani is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and producer who records under the name CKay. His music is a mixture of Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall, which he labels "Afro-Futuristic." CKay released "Love Nwantiti" as a single on August 29, 2019.
  • "Love Nwantinti" is a love song with lyrics that are a mix of English and Igbo, a language spoken in Nigeria. The song title means "small love," a puzzling translation for English speakers as CKay's love for his girl is clearly not "small."
  • Many Nigerians know the phrase "Love Nwantinti" for being the title of their native singer Nelly Uchendu's 1976 hit tune. An Igbo folk song in praise of a local beauty, Uchendu rose to prominence upon its release. "Love Nwantinti" earned her the sobriquet, "Lady with the Golden Voice."
  • On February 14, 2020, CKay dropped the song's official remix as a Valentine's gift to his fans. It features two new verses by Nigerian singer-songwriter JoeBoy and Ghanaian afrobeat artist Kuami Eugene. The new version became a huge success in Nigeria, then in other African countries, eventually becoming a worldwide hit.
  • CKay recorded a series of collaborations with local artists for localized variations. The French version features French rapper Franglish; the Spanish, Puerto Rican reggaeton artist De La Ghetto; and the North African, Moroccan rapper ElGrandeToto.
  • "Love Nwantiti" originated as a freestyle laid down by CKay. The Nigerian singer told Rolling Stone he didn't write down a single word. "I was in my living room, making beats like I usually do, and I played the chords, built on them, and did my freestyle," CKay explained. "I recorded around midnight and I was really sleepy, so I decided I was gonna put words to the 'ah ah ah' part in the morning. Long story short, woke up in the morning and realized it was fire exactly how it was."
  • The song proved popular on TikTok, with users using its fluid sound for a variety of videos, including some that replicate TikToker Tracy Joseph's dynamic choreography on her viral clip.
  • The song topped the singles charts in several countries, including France, India, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.