Kukere

"Kukere" (Efik: "Don't think/worry") is a song by Nigerian singer Iyanya. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Desire (2013). Upon its release, the song peaked at number 1 on Top FM's May Chart, Soundcity's Viewers Choice, Rhythm FM, and The Beat 99.9 FM's Blackberry Top Ten Countdown. Moreover, it peaked at number 2 on Radio Port Harcourt.[2] CEO Dancers performed the song during their performance on Britain's Got Talent.[3] To further promote the album in London, Cokobar and Iyanya held the Kukere Queen Competition. Participants of the competition were asked to upload a dance video of themselves and state three reasons why they deserve to win.[4]

"Kukere"
Single by Iyanya
from the album Desire
Released	4 December 2011[1]
Recorded	2010-11
Genre	Afrobeats
Length	3:43
Label	Made Men Music Group
Songwriter(s)	Iyanya Mbuk, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo
Producer(s)	D'Tunes
Iyanya singles chronology
"Iyanya (My Story)" (2009) "Kukere" (2011) "Ur Waist" (2012)
Music video
"Kukere" on YouTube

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Kukere" was directed by Patrick Elis.[5]

Accolades

"Kukere" won Best Pop Single and was nominated for Song of the Year at The Headies 2012.[6][7] It also won the Hottest Single of the Year award at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards,[8] and was nominated for Best Contemporary Afro (Live Beats Choice) at the 2012 Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA).[9] It was also nominated for Most Popular Song of the Year at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards.[10]

Year	Awards ceremony	Award description(s)	Results
2013	Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Hottest Single of the Year	Won
	City People Entertainment Awards	Most Popular Song of the Year	Nominated
2012	Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)	Best Contemporary Afro (Live Beats choice)	Nominated
	The Headies 2012	Best Pop Single	Won
		Song of the Year	Nominated

Track listing

Digital single

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Kukere"	Iyanya	D'Tunes[11]	3:43

Kukere Remix

"Kukere Remix"
Single by Iyanya featuring D'banj
from the album Desire
Released	20 August 2012
Recorded	2012
Genre	Afrobeats
Length	4:28
Label	Made Men Music Group
Producer(s)	D'Tunes
Iyanya singles chronology
"Ur Waist" (2012) "Kukere Remix" (2012) "Flavour" (2012)

The remix of Kukere features vocals from D'banj. It was released on 20 August 2012 as the third single from the Desire album.[12] The song reprises the original hook and instrumental of Kukere.[13]

Background

In an interview with Toolz, Iyanya said D'banj reached out to him to do the remix. He also said he was honored to work with D'banj. Furthermore, he said they would be shooting a video for the remix.[14] However, the music video was never shot.

Critical reception

Upon its release, the remix received positive reviews from music critics. Ayo of Jaguda.com said, "Iyanya came, saw and conquered. He gave us one of the biggest dance track ever made, props to D’tunes for the crazy beat. After having a successful song, i bet you know there will be covers and remixes, and the master of Killing Songs, koko master jumps on this song with Iyanya." [15] Damilare Aiki of BellaNaija said, "When Iyanya released Kukere in March 2012, it was no doubt that the song would quickly become a national anthem as it was a breath of fresh air from Iyanya, who had previously released other buzz worthy singles including Love Truly and I’m the One."[16] Demola OG of NotJustOk added, "An already huge national track, Kukere is going to get bigger and move further. Iyanya gets D’banj on the Kukere remix and as you can imagine it is fiya."[17]

Track listing

Digital single

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Kukere Remix" (featuring D'banj)	Iyanya Mbuk Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo	D'Tunes	4:28

References

1. "New Heat: Iyanya – Kukere". 360nobs. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
2. "Iyanya Mbuk Biography (Nigerian Music Artist)". Nigerian Music Network. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
3. "Booty-tastic! CEO Dancers shake the BGT stage – With Iyanya (Kukere) & D' banj (Oliver)". sndmag. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
4. "Iyanya Picks his Kukere Queen! Co-Hosts "Kukere Concert" With Tonto Dikeh on 9th June 2013 in London". Bella Niaja. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
5. "BN Video Premiere: Iyanya – Kukere". BellaNaija. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
6. "Headies Awards 2012: Full List Of Winners". ModernGhana. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
7. "The Headies (Hip Hop World Awards 2012) Winners List". Hiphopworldmagazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
8. "Full List Of Nigeria Entertainment Awards Winners". spyghana. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
9. "Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA 2012 ) Full Winners List". Tooxclusive. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
10. Aiki, Damilare (19 June 2013). "Ice Prince, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Sarkodie, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Yvonne Okoro, Tonto Dikeh & BellaNaija Nominated for the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards - See the Full List". Bellanaija. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
11. "VIDEO: Iyanya – Kukere". NotJustOk. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
12. "World Premiere: Iyanya-Kukere Remix ft D'banj". Gidilounge. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
13. "Iyanya – Kukere (Remix) (Feat. D'Banj)". BiGx Media Company. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
14. "Ndani TV: Iyanya talks about Yvonne Nelson// his new single and shows..." YouTube. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
15. "New Music: Iyanya – Kukere [Remix] Ft D'banj". Jaguda. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
16. "New Music: Iyanya Feat. D'banj – Kukere Remix". Bellanaija. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
17. "PREMIERE: Iyanya ft. D'banj – Kukere (Remix)". Notjustok. Retrieved 8 October 2013.