Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Afrobeats superstar Davido has lifted the lid on one of the most enduring mysteries surrounding his classic 2014 hit "Aye," revealing that the lead female role in the iconic music video was cast at the very last minute after the originally chosen model was forced to pull out due to contractual obligations with a beauty pageant. Speaking during a recent interview with Capital XTRA, the singer shared the unexpected behind-the-scenes story that ultimately became part of Afrobeats history. The interview went viral today and got netizens talking.
According to Davido, production for the "Aye" video was already set to begin when the team received an urgent call from the manager of the woman initially cast as the video's main love interest. "The girl that was meant to be the main girl, she was in some pageant thing. So we were about to shoot and the manager said they called from the pageant that she's under contract and we can't use her for the video," Davido recounted. With the shoot already scheduled and no opportunity to postpone, the singer and his team had to make a quick decision. "We couldn't reschedule so we had to use her make up artist," he said.
The makeup artist, who stepped in at the last minute, delivered a performance that resonated with audiences worldwide. Davido noted that the unexpected casting change ultimately became a memorable part of the video's success. "The video got so huge that they fell out," he said, referring to the fallout between the original choice and the makeup artist who replaced her. Released in February 2014 and directed by Clarence Peters, the "Aye" music video tells a tale of love between different classes, with Davido playing a poor farmer who falls in love with the prince's love interest. The video went on to become a massive hit and remains one of the most beloved music videos in Nigerian pop history.
In a 2014 interview with R!, Davido had previously touched on the same story, explaining that he had initially wanted to feature the winner of the "Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria" beauty pageant in the video. However, her manager said she would not be available for the shoot, leading him to use his makeup artist instead. The singer, who has always maintained that the song was inspired by God and not by any romantic relationship, dismissed rumours linking him to the pageant winner.
Davido's revelation offers fans a fascinating glimpse into how a last-minute change ended up becoming part of one of Afrobeats' most iconic visuals. The "Aye" video, which has amassed over 100 million views on YouTube, remains a defining moment in the singer's career and a testament to the serendipity that sometimes shapes creative works. As Davido continues to dominate the global music scene, this behind-the-scenes story adds another layer to the enduring legacy of a song that has become a timeless anthem.
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