Woju (song)

"Woju"
Single by Kiss Daniel
from the album New Era
Written2012
Released3 September 2014[1]
Recorded2014
Genre
Length3:24
LabelG-Worldwide
SongwriterOluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe
ProducerDJ Coublon
Kiss Daniel singles chronology
"Shoye" and "Chidioke"
(2014) 		"Woju"
(2014) 		"Laye"
(2015)
Music video
"Woju" on YouTube

"Woju" is a song by Nigerian singer Kiss Daniel, released on 3 September 2014 through G-Worldwide Entertainment.[2] Dubbed as "one of the best Nigerian songs of 2014", the song went on to be nominated in the Hottest Single of the Year category at the 2015 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[3][4] Upon release, "Woju" was met with positive reviews from music critics and also received numerous airplay. The music video for "Woju" peaked at number one on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 music video chart for six weeks,[5] and is regarded as the platform through which Kiss Daniel's music career hit the limelight.[6] In February 2015, Kiss Daniel performed an acoustic rendition of the song on Ndani Sessions.[7]

Background and composition

"Woju" was written several years before its release. Kiss Daniel said he wrote the song while he was still in school, about three years before it was officially recorded and released. He added that the song was recorded only a few months before its release, despite being written earlier. He said the idea came from listening to good music and trying to create something better, sometimes forming melodies mentally before recording.[8] Kiss Daniel told Blueprint that "Woju" is a love song centered on a typical African woman.[9] He said the lyrics focus on women responding to excessive compliments by playing hard to get, while advising men to respond by being less available.[9] Kiss Daniel also explained that the title, "Woju", is a Yoruba word that means "recognize," though it can literally translate to "look at me."[9] He said the meaning relates to seeking recognition through attention.[9]

Musically, the song is a mid-tempo highlife and pop track. It features live guitar instrumentation played by Nigerian guitarist Fiokee.[9] Kiss Daniel later recalled that some people initially doubted the song's potential for success, telling him it would not gain attention. He said these reactions came before the song became widely popular.[10] He also reiterated in later interviews that the song was inspired by good music and African sounds, stating that listening to music often influenced his songwriting process.[11]

Critical reception

David Drake of Complex named "Woju" one of the "biggest records in Nigeria".[12] "Woju" was ranked #8 on Daily Post's list of the top 10 songs of 2014. An unnamed writer for the publication described it as a "mid tempo high-life track that appealed to every audience," and concluded that "with witty lyrics and a sing along feel, 'Woju' goes down as one of the best songs for the year."[3]

Accolades

Year Award ceremony Prize Result Ref
2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Hottest Single of the Year Nominated [13]
The Headies Best Pop Single Nominated [14]
Song of the Year Nominated
City People Entertainment Awards Popular Song of the Year Nominated [15]
All Africa Music Awards Most Promising Artist (Kiss Daniel for "Woju") Won [16]
Revelation of the Year (Kiss Daniel for "Woju") Nominated [17]
COSON Song Awards Best Song in Melody Won [18]
Hottest Song on the Street Nominated

Covers

"Woju" was remixed and covered by several artistes in Nigeria. A freestyle version recorded by 2Face Idibia leaked online in February 2015.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Woju (Freestyle)"2Face Idibia[19]3:29
2."Woju (Guitar version)"Fiokee[20]3:26
3."Woju (cover)"Mz Kiss[21]3:08
4."Woju (Calabar cover)"Brandon3:26

Woju (Remix)

"Woju (Remix)"
Remix by Kiss Daniel featuring Tiwa Savage and Davido
Released28 February 2015
RecordedDecember 2014
Genre
Length3:26
LabelG-Worldwide
Songwriters
  • Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe
  • Tiwatope Omolara Savage
  • David Adedeji Adeleke
ProducerDJ Coublon
Tiwa Savage chronology
"Gbemileke (Remix)"
(2015) 		"Woju (Remix)"
(2015) 		"Just Incase"
(2015)
Davido chronology
"Twatoba"
(2015) 		"Woju (Remix)"
(2015) 		"So Nice"
(2015)
Music video
"Woju (Remix)" on YouTube

The official remix to "Woju" features guest vocals from Nigerian singers Tiwa Savage and Davido. The song was released on 28 February 2015 under G-Worldwide Entertainment, and was produced by DJ Coublon. "Woju (Remix)" made history on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 music video chart alongside "Woju" as the first time an original song and its remix would peak at the first and second spots.[22]

Background

Following the success of the original "Woju", Kiss Daniel returned to the studio to record a remix of the song. He chose to remix the track once it gained heavy airplay and attention across Nigeria.[23] The remix was created to add new elements to the song and expand its reach. Kiss Daniel recorded the remix with Nigerian singer Davido, who added vocals to the track during a studio session in December 2014.[24] Reports later confirmed that the remix would also feature Tiwa Savage. The remix was scheduled for release in early 2015, several months after the original version was released on 3 September 2014.[25] In January 2015, Kiss Daniel publicly confirmed Davido and Tiwa Savage as the featured artists on the remix. He described the collaboration as a major step following the success of the original song.[26]

Critical reception

The release of "Woju (Remix)" was met with mixed reactions from fans and music critics.[27] Henry Chibuzor of 360Nobs labelled the song "bland, unimproved and surplus to requirement" and further went on to state, "the original 'Woju' is on some astronomical shit, and should have been left on that musical high."[28] tooXclusive's Jim Donnett also voiced his displeasure about the song by stating that, “Woju Remix is perhaps the result of forcing something that you already know wasn’t meant to be”.[29]

Music video

The music video for "Woju (Remix)" was shot in Lagos, Nigeria by Adasa Cookey.[30] The video was uploaded onto video-sharing website YouTube on 11 March 2015.[31] Authors for tooXclusive shared their opinion on the video; Jim Donnett felt the video confirmed his earlier view that the remix was unnecessary, writing that "we can now move on from all the hype and attention that was this remix," and concluded it was "very much not necessary at all." Jimmy King thought the video compensated for the remix, saying "the video covered up for the song," praised the visuals and direction despite weak concept, and concluded it was "not a bad effort from the Woju crooner," rating it 3.5/5. Al Yhusuff believed the video rescued the remix, stating "the pictorials are captivating," and concluded that it "just salvaged the supposed bad effort in the remix," rating it 4/5.[32]

References

  1. ^ Adedayo Odulaja (26 May 2015). "Will Kiss Daniel's 'Woju' rule for the rest of 2015?". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  2. ^ Jim Donnett (3 September 2014). "Kiss Daniel – Woju (Prod. by DJ Coublon)". tooXclusive. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b "DAILY POST Top 10 songs for 2014". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Voting opens for Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2015". The Guardian. 19 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  5. ^ "Kiss Daniel's 'Woju', P-Square' Collabo' drop off MTV Base Naija Top Ten". Vanguard. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  6. ^ Peter Okeugo (18 January 2015). "I'm not moved by fame – Kiss Daniel, Woju crooner". The Punch. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  7. ^ Al Yhusuff (13 February 2015). "VIDEO: Thrilling Performance Of Woju On Ndani Sessions By Kiss Daniel". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 6 December 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  8. ^ "'I wrote 'Woju' 3 years ago' – Kiss Daniels". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d e "'Wuju' [sic] is for women playing hard to get, says budding star Kiss Daniel". Blueprint. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  10. ^ "I Was Discouraged From Releasing Woju — Kiss Daniel". The Guardian. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  11. ^ "'Though I'm good looking and successful, I don't take advantage of my female fans' – Woju crooner, Kiss Daniel". Encomium Magazine. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  12. ^ David Drake (12 May 2015). "5 Nigerian Hit Songs You, and Jay Z, Should Know Kiss Daniel "Woju"". Complex. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  13. ^ O'Neill, Danielle (15 July 2015). "The Nigeria Entert ainment Awards Announce 2015 Nominees". Okay Africa. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  14. ^ Abisoye, Adeyiga (2 January 2016). "Headies Awards 2015: Full List Of Winners". Channels TV. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  15. ^ Sotubo, Tyler (13 July 2015). "City People Awards 2015 Nominees List – tooXclusive, Lil Kesh, Others Nominated…". TooXclusive. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  16. ^ Sanusi, Hassan (16 November 2015). "All Africa Music Awards 2015: Full list of WINNERS". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  17. ^ "All Africa Music Awards 2015: Full list of WINNERS". Modern Ghana. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  18. ^ Akan, Joey (26 October 2015). "COSON Song Awards 2015: Wizkid, Davido, Asa, Tiwa Savage, make nominations list". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  19. ^ "LEAK: 2Face Idibia – Woju". NotJustOk. 8 February 2015. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Fiokee – Ololufe + Woju (Guitar Cover)". tooXclusive. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Mz Kiss – "Woju (Cover)"". tooXclusive. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  22. ^ Joey Akan (23 March 2015). "'Woju' and 'Woju (remix)' top MTV charts". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  23. ^ Nathan Nathaniel Ekpo (25 December 2014). "Fans Applaud Kiss Daniel's 'Woju' Remix With Davido". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  24. ^ Tyler Sotubo (25 December 2014). "VIDEO: Kiss Daniel – Woju (Remix) ft. Davido (Studio Session)". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 6 December 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  25. ^ Dayo Showemimo (24 December 2014). "PHOTOS: Davido, Tiwa Savage to feature on Kiss Daniels' 'Woju' remix". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  26. ^ Ayomide Tayo (19 January 2015). "Kiss Daniel: Upcoming pop act to feature Davido, Tiwa Savage on 'Woju' remix". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  27. ^ Tadeniawo Collins (4 March 2015). "Fans slam Kiss Daniel's 'Woju' remix featuring Tiwa Savage, Davido". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  28. ^ Henry Chibuzor (28 February 2015). "Music Review: The "Woju" Remix Is Bland, Unimproved And Surplus To Requirement". 360Nobs. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  29. ^ Jim Donnett (4 March 2015). "The Bitter Truth About Kiss Daniel's Woju Remix". tooXclusive. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  30. ^ Dayo Showemimo (11 March 2015). "Kiss Daniel shoots video for 'Woju' remix featuring Davido, Tiwa Savage". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  31. ^ "VIDEO Premiere: Kiss Daniel – Woju (Remix) ft. Davido & Tiwa Savage". NotJustOk. 11 March 2015. Archived from the original on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  32. ^ "TX Review: Olamide – Confam Ni ft. Wizkid + Kiss Daniel – Woju Remix ft. Tiwa Savage & Davido VIDEO". tooXclusive. 14 March 2015. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
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