Released February 1, 2014 Recorded 2014 Length 03:55 | Format Digital download Genre Afropop Label HKN Music | |
"Aye" (pronounced ah yay) is a song by Nigerian recording artist Davido, released as the fourth single from his upcoming studio album. The song was produced by TSpize, a record producer affiliated with Runtown. It peaked at number 5 on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart from March 28 through April 3, 2014. The song was primarily released to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Contents
Composition
It was alleged that Davido bought the song from Runtown, an artist who featured him on "Gallardo".
Critical reception
Upon its release, the song was met with great reception. Micheal Abimboye of Premium Times commented on the song, stating that "over T-Spice's mid tempo beats, Davido sometimes mimics Wande Coal's rhyming style. The beat is reminiscent of that made popular by kegite clubs. The cool tempo makes the song enjoyable and reminds one of an old school video of a generation past slow-grooving to high-life in a jazz club."
A writer for Fuse stated that "Aye's melody and instrumental is charismatic. It has a way of making your head move even when the forces beyond human nature tries to deny it. From the pressing musical notes on the guitar we can agree that this is a song best enjoyed with a live band. Aye provides a sing along vibe that catches the lips of both old and young as they hold on to their Gele' (head gear) or do the Bata dance while singing happily...Aye is an evergreen song of our time that can be played alongside legendary hits from respected icons of the 70's and 80's."
David Drake of Pitchfork Media said that "perhaps the sweetest song of devotion yet written, Davido's "Aye" boils over with sincerity, its thicket of rhythms eventually taking shape as clean, piercing guitar lines cut through to provide a melodic counterpoint."
Music video
The music video for "Aye" was shot and directed in Nigeria by Clarence Peters. It was uploaded onto YouTube on February 7, 2014, at a total length of 4 minutes and 11 seconds. In the music video, Davido plays a poor farmer who is physically attracted to a princess. On "Aye", he professes his love for his admirer. Davido took the unconventional route by shooting the video in a rural setting. The locality of the area where the video was shot complements the lyrics of the song. According to YouTube's first quarter report, it was the most watched video by Nigerians on the video sharing site.
Accolades
"Aye" won the Hottest Single of the Year category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The song was nominated for Most Popular Song of the Year at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards. The music video for "Aye" was nominated for Most Gifted Male, Most Gifted Afro Pop, Most Gifted West and Most Gifted Video of the Year at the 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards. "Aye" was nominated for Best Pop Single and won Song of the Year at The Headies 2014.