Don't get me wrong, I also love to vibe, and I have curated many Amapiano playlists and other pop music here and there. But a song that has emotional depth is still much more important. And I guess that’s what drew me to Davido’s latest album 5ive, a 14-track project that dropped with much anticipation following the massive success of Timeless in 2023.
Source
It was this morning, while doing my chores, that I decided to go through this album intentionally and see what's up. I enjoyed most of the songs in the album, but there's this particular one where he featured Omah Lay.
I am unapologetically Omah Lay's fan and would rate his songs over many others in the industry. He doesn't only write good lyrics, but his voice is very calm, soothing, and has a way of adding huge emotional depth to any song. His voice stands out because of this, and I'd say he's the reason why this particular song in 5ive made waves. But I will give the accolades to the owner of the song, who did a great job with the lyrics and performed his part beautifully.
So yeah! My best song in the album is "With You", followed by Awuke, then Funds.
“With You” opens with a moody, almost haunting instrumental. The beat isn’t complex, just a soft, melodic rhythm with distant drums and a subtle Afro-fusion backdrop. It’s minimalist in production, but that’s what gives the song space to breathe emotionally. Davido starts the song with his signature husky voice. His delivery here is a bit more tender than usual; we all know him for his vibrant, high-energy performances and party anthems:)
The lyrics are simple and sincere. It talks about love, something everyone can resonate with and it says just the words we women love to hear:
"If I speak English, oh-oh
Chọ-chọ-chọ, no workings
I no wan punish you, whoa, whoa
I want to polish you (Ìdí ará bànkó)
If you see my baby, you go shut up, oh (Ìdí ará bànkó)"
Unlike most of his songs that are more about flashy lifestyles or grand declarations, this one is about yearning, presence, and the raw desire to be emotionally close to someone, even if the world is burning around you.
The second verse is sung by Omah Lay.
We all know him as one of those artists who could sing a grocery list and still make it sound like poetry. His voice drips with emotion, and in “With You,” he adds a whole new dimension. His verse is melancholic and smooth, laced with subtle praise and longing.
I can't remember the exact time I started loving his songs, but most of my old playlists are filled with his music. He's always had a beautiful way of mixing melancholy with melody, so that even when the lyrics are dirty, it'll sound like a good worship song to many Gen Zs.
In this particular song, Davido brings fire and grit to the track, and Omah Lay balances it with water and soul. Together, they create a perfect emotional storm.
It, however, surprised me how their voices don’t clash. Because looking at the two artists, they have different styles and voices. One is a vibe king, while the other is a soft lover boy. But they managed to let their energy complement each other. There’s no struggle for dominance, just two artists vibing on the same emotional frequency. How beautiful!
So this is what I listened to today, being Saturday. The album accompanied me throughout my chores, and I unintentionally played "With You" repeatedly.
If you love Nigerian music, then this album from Davido is worth streaming. If you've already streamed it, you're free to share your thoughts about it in the comment section.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your time and support.
Have a wonderful weekend.
