“With You” Has Nigerians in a Chokehold—And Summer Hasn’t Even Started Yet

When Davido drops a project, the streets usually listen. The Afrobeats superstar had been teasing his comeback (not that he ever really left the music scene) as far back as last year, culminating in the release of “5ive,” his fifth studio album, last month. The project shattered records across Africa, most notably achieving the highest number of single-day streams for any album on Spotify Nigeria in 2025, with 9.3 million streams. In under two months, the album has already amassed over 210 million streams—an extraordinary feat by any standard.

Among a lineup of undeniable hits, Davido saved the best for last as “With You” has emerged as the album’s true breakout track. Though earlier singles such as “Offa Me” featuring Victoria Monét, “Awuke” featuring YG Marley, and “Funds” featuring Chike and Odumodublvck made modest waves, none of them match the cultural grip that “With You” has secured.

The Omah Lay-assisted track has dominated airwaves, flooded playlists, and taken over social media since its release on April 18, 2025—the same day “5ive” dropped. It debuted at No. 1 on the Turntable Official Streaming Chart and remained there until this week, when Seyi Vibez’s “Pressure” edged it into second place. Still, “With You” has all the markings of a timeless hit and could very well be Nigeria’s definitive song of the summer. And no, it’s not too early to say that.

But how did a seemingly “inconspicuous” song ignite so much conversation—especially without an official music video?

Omah Lay’s Chorus

Nigeria’s poster boy for Afro-depression, Omah Lay, deserves top credit for his delivery on the chorus of “With You.” His tone is instantly recognizable, and from the moment he appears on a track, it becomes uniquely his. The chorus initially sparked debate on social media, as fans couldn’t decipher what he was saying (something he later clarified). So, yes, it’s “Baby, the weather is getting cold/ Cold inside, double sweater,” and not the misheard lyrics circulating on the X streets.

The chorus may be brief and slightly disjointed in rhyme, but it works in a way only Omah Lay can make it work. It’s catchy, quirky, and undeniably him. The “Oooh ooh” intro feels signature to his style, and he rides the beat with fluid precision.

There truly couldn’t have been a better collaborator for the track.

Social Media Promotion

One thing about Davido: he knows how to promote his own music. While his fans carry much of the weight, the Grammy-nominated artist always leads the charge. “With You” first gained viral traction through a video Davido shared, dancing to the song with his cousin, Folashade Adeleke. The clip gathered over a million combined views across platforms and kicked off the “With You” dance challenge.

From there, momentum snowballed. The song now boasts more than 2.5 million posts on TikTok alone. It’s been featured in dance clips, lifestyle content, food videos, GRWM routines, vlogs, and even covers by rising artists who’ve added their own lyrics. Everyone—from influencers to casual users—is vibing to “With You.”

Short and Sweet

Many artists overlook the power of brevity. In just under two minutes, “With You” managed to grab the attention of millions worldwide—a level of success many longer tracks never reach. In today’s era of fast-paced digital consumption, especially on platforms like TikTok, a song that’s breezy, easy to digest, and fun is more likely to resonate. “With You” checks every one of those boxes.

Nostalgic Aura

The beat of “With You” carries a familiar sound, largely because it samples legendary Nigerian musician Sir Bright Chimezie’s “Because of English”—a fact Davido publicly acknowledged when he hosted the “Duke of African Music” in Lagos last month.

However, this nostalgic nod has come with controversy. Fans have pointed out that the song may also sample Nigerian singer SoJay’s 2017 single “All For You,” Caribbean artist Skinny Fabulous’ 2016 “Watch Thing,” and Alpha Blondie’s 1987 hit “Sweet Fanta Diallo.” The issue with the latter is particularly delicate, as Davido is alleged to have used the words “Sweet Fanta Diallo”—popularized by Alpha Blondie—without publicly crediting him, potentially opening the door for a copyright infringement lawsuit.

As for the other tracks, listeners argue that “With You” shares clear beat similarities, suggesting it sampled them rather than interpolated them (the legal distinction is critical). If sampling did occur (which is likely the case), Davido would have needed proper clearance from the original artists, their labels, and their publishers before release.

It goes further that Davido has been accused of “stealing” creative work, but this claim isn’t so black and white. First, it’s widely understood in the music industry that few things are truly original anymore—melodies, lyrics, and rhythms are often recycled. But giving credit and paying royalties is non-negotiable.

Second, Davido operates under the Sony Music Entertainment (UK) umbrella through his label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). Sony, home to global heavyweights like Beyoncé, Shakira, and Britney Spears, has no shortage of legal and industry expertise. It’s unlikely the song would have been cleared for release without proper documentation.

Third, since none of the sampled artists have spoken out publicly, it’s possible Davido already settled things behind the scenes with appropriate royalties. The fact that it hasn’t been made public doesn’t mean it hasn’t been handled.

Still, the skepticism is understandable, especially in light of Davido’s prior conflict with Dammy Krane, who accused him of withholding royalties for the track “Pere,” which Krane allegedly co-wrote with the artist. The dispute lingered throughout Davido’s album rollout, with Krane even naming his own album “5ive” in protest.

“With You” has already surpassed 35 million streams on Spotify, making it the second most streamed Nigerian song on the platform—behind only Rema’s “Baby (Is it a Crime).” It also landed on Spotify’s “Songs of the Summer 2025 Predictions” list, cementing its place in global conversations.

As summer approaches, there’s been a noticeable lack of Nigerian tracks reaching the viral heights that “With You” has managed to achieve, and all in such a remarkably short time. This surge in popularity really sets the song apart, highlighting how unique it is for a song to capture widespread attention so quickly in the current Nigerian music airspace. It’s clear that this track has struck a chord, resonating with listeners both at home and across the globe, and raising the bar for what Nigerian artists can accomplish.

With “With You,” Davido has once again proven his mastery of the hit-making formula: star power, strategic promotion, savvy collaborations, and a deep understanding of what resonates with his audience. His membership in the “Big Three” of the Nigerian music scene is unquestionably earned.

One thing is certain: “With You” is the undisputed track of the season!