Veteran Nigerian highlife maestro, Bright Chimezie, has expressed heartfelt gratitude and excitement after Afrobeats megastar Davido acknowledged him as a source of inspiration for his recent hit, With You featuring Omah Lay.
The legendary singer, renowned for his unique blend of traditional rhythms and socially conscious lyrics, revealed during a recent interview with Hip TV that Davido personally reached out to credit his iconic track, Because Of English, as the creative foundation behind With You.
Chimezie, who also made a brief but symbolic appearance in the music video for With You, which dropped this week, admitted he was unaware of the connection until Davido made the confession himself.
“Words cannot describe how I feel. I’m so delighted. I feel honoured. And I’m grateful to Davido for recognising that he drew inspiration from me,” Chimezie shared during the chat.
“I didn’t even know that his song With You was inspired by my song Because Of English. He was the person who made me to understand that. He put a call across to me and confessed that he was inspired by my song. The humility and everything, I feel so happy about it.”
Known for his signature Ziggima sound and flamboyant stage presence, Bright Chimezie’s influence on Nigerian music stretches back decades. His acknowledgement by a new generation superstar like Davido signifies a powerful moment of generational connection in Nigeria’s evolving music landscape.
Still active in music, Chimezie recently inked a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing West Africa, a move that underscores his continued relevance and legacy in the industry. He also explained that while many of his peers have stepped away from the limelight, it was a deliberate decision to give younger talents room to shine.
“We took the back seats to allow the young artists to thrive,” he said, noting that while he may not always be front and center, his musical journey is far from over.
With Davido’s public tribute and their on-screen collaboration, Bright Chimezie is once again enjoying his well-earned flowers, proving that legends never fade, they evolve.
