Skelewu

Last updated

"Skelewu"
Davido - Skelewu cover art.jpg
Single by Davido
Released13 August 2013 (2013-08-13) [1]
Recorded2013
Genre
Length3:07 [2]
Label HKN
Songwriter(s) David Adeleke
Producer(s) Shizzi
Alternative cover
Skelewu Alternate cover.jpg
UK version cover

"Skelewu" is a song by Nigerian singer Davido. [3] It was produced by Shizzi, HKN Music's in-house producer, and peaked at number one on Afribiz's Top 100 chart. [4] "Skelewu" was ranked 5th on Premium Times ' list of the Top 10 songs of 2013. [5] It gained popularity in Nigeria after Davido announced the Skelewu dance competition, and was endorsed by African footballers Emmanuel Adebayor [6] and Samuel Eto'o. [7]

Contents

"Skelewu" was nominated for Song of the Year at both the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards and African Muzik Magazine Awards.

Instructional video and dance competition

Davido promoted "Skelewu" by uploading an instructional dance video to YouTube on 18 August 2013. Directed by Jassy Generation, the video's release was accompanied by an announcement of the Skelewu dance competition. In order to win the competition, participants were told to watch the instructional dance video and upload videos of themselves dancing to the song. [8] [9] According to Pulse Nigeria, the number of dance videos uploaded to YouTube by fans aggregated to over 100,000 views. [10] On 10 October 2013, Davido declared Bello Moshood Abiola the winner of the competition. [11] [12]

Music videos

Releases

There were two music videos released after Davido released the instructional dance video of Skelewu. [13] The first music video, directed by Sesan, was released on 15 October 2013. [14] It was uploaded to YouTube under a parody account. Shortly after its release, fans belittled the video and criticized it for not being up to par. Davido told his fans to disregard the video's unauthorized release and said someone betrayed him by releasing it. He also expressed his desire to make another video with Moe Musa, a UK based music video director. In a statement released by his team, Sesan said Davido was satisfied with his contributions to the music video and that it would be immature for the singer and his management to release inaccurate statements to defame his brand. [15]

On 21 October 2013, Davido released the official music video. After its release, he received criticism from people who felt the video closely resembles LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" music video. [16] According to Vanguard newspaper, the number of people who disliked the official music video almost equate those who disliked the alternative video. [17] Moe Musa reacted to fans' condemnation of the official video in a negative way. [18] [19] There were reports that Davido wasn't pleased with Moe Musa's video and was looking forward to shooting another music video with Clarence Peters. [20]

Reception

The music videos for "Skelewu" received mixed reviews from music critics. Tosin Ajibade criticized the Sesan-directed music video for piecing together random dance clips. [21] The website Afrobeat360.com praised the Moe Musa-directed video and commended its setting, location, narrative and choreography. [22]

Accolades

YearAwards ceremonyAward description(s)ResultsRef.
2014 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted DanceNominated [23]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Music Video of the Year (artist and director)Nominated [24]
African Muzik Magazine AwardsSong of the YearNominated [25]
Best Dance in a VideoNominated
MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 Song of the YearNominated [26]

Live performances

On 3 November 2013, Davido performed "Skelewu" at the "Guinness Colourful World of More" concert alongside numerous artists, including P-Square, D'banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Chidinma, Waje and Tiwa Savage. The concert occurred at the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. [27] On 17 December 2013, Davido performed "Skelewu" at the 2013 edition of Carniriv, which was held in Port Harcourt at the Liberation Stadium. [28] On 30 December 2013, he performed the song in front of 16,000 people who attended Calabar Rocks, a concert sponsored by the Calabar Carnival Commission. [29]

Track listing and remixes

In April 2014, Major Lazer and Wiwek released an electronic remix of "Skelewu". The music video for the remix compiles various "Skelewu" dance clips from around the world. [30]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Skelewu"David Adeleke3:07
2."Kanaku (Skelewu Cover)" (by Lyrikal)Lyrikal [31] 2:22
3."Skelewu (Major Lazer and Wiwek Remix)" (by Major Lazer and Wiwek)David Adeleke [32] 2:22
4."Skelewu (Uhuru Remix)" (by Uhuru)David Adeleke [33] 4:17

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References

  1. ↑ "Davido – Skelewu (Prod. Shizzi)". Notjustok. 13 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Skelewu - Single by DaVido". iTunes. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Get Familiar: Davido – Skelewu". 360nobs. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Afribiz Top 100 Chart". Afribiz. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Abimboye, Micheal (29 December 2013). "Wande Coal, Davido, others make PREMIUM TIMES Top 10 songs of 2013". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  6. ↑ "Skelewu on the streets: Tottenham superstar, Emmanuel Adebayor dances to Davido's hit song (WATCH)". YNaija. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Football legend meets Pop star: Watch Davido, Samuel Eto'O chat up [VIDEO]". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "Davido & HKN Gang SKELEWU Instructioinal Dance Video". African Muzik Magazine. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "Davido & HKN Gang SKELEWU Instructioinal Dance Video". Hiphopworldmagazine. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "Davido's Skelewu Competition! Watch Funny Videos Of Dancers In The Toilet, In The Office And In Super Skimpy Shorts!". Pulse Nigeria. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "Davido doles out N.48m to 19yr old 'Skelewu' dance competition winner". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "Davido Gives Skelewu Dancer Winner 3000 Dollars". Modern Ghana. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  13. ↑ "DAVIDO – SKELEWU (VIDEO)". Prisoner of Class. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  14. ↑ "VIDEO: Davido – Skelewu". African Muzik Magazine. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Davido is irresponsible, immature –Sesan". Punch Nigeria Limited. 19 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "How Moe Musa Used Concept Of LMFAO's Party Rock Video For Davido's Skelewu? See Photos And Videos". Nigerianmonitor. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  17. ↑ "Davido releases official 'Skelewu' video". Vanguard Media Limited. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Nigeria: 'Skelewu' Saga - Davido, Director Blast Critics". 26 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  19. ↑ "'Every Nigerian Video Director is a thief' – 'Skelewu' producer writes NET as Moe Musa rants on Twitter". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  20. ↑ "'Skelewu' saga: Davido, director blast critics". Vanguard Media Limited. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  21. ↑ "Music Video Review: Unofficial Video 'Skelewu' by Davido". OloriSupergal. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  22. ↑ "DAVIDO SKELEWU VIDEO REVIEW". Afrobeat360. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  23. ↑ Marshall, Rhodé (5 September 2014). "Channel O Africa announces Music Video Awards nominees". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  24. ↑ Abimboye, Micheal (31 May 2014). "Pop duo, Skuki, reject Nigerian Entertainment Awards nomination". Premium Times . Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  25. ↑ "See Nominees for the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) 2014". Bellanaija. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  26. ↑ "Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Davido lead nominations for MTV Africa Music Awards". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  27. ↑ "P-Square, Davido, others ignite Guinness World of More concert". Vanguard Media Limited. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  28. ↑ "Davido, Burna Boy, others excite fans at CARNIRIV 2013". The Sun News. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  29. ↑ Affe, Mudiaga (30 December 2013). "TuFace, Davido, Iyanya, others excite at Calabar Festival". Punch Media Limited. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  30. ↑ 28 April 2014, 12:57. "Major Lazer And Wiwek Remix Davido's 'Skelewu': New Music | Major Lazer". Capital XTRA. Retrieved 30 April 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ↑ Alonge, Osagie (6 April 2014). "Stream and download Lyrikal's 'O.C.D' mixtape". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  32. ↑ Farella, Dylan (27 April 2014). "Davido - Skelewu (Major Lazer & Wiwek Remix)". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  33. ↑ "Davido ft. Uhuru - Skelewu (House Remix)". Archived from the original on 17 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
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