Kukere

"Kukere"
Single by Iyanya
from the album Desire
Released	December 4, 2011[1]
Format	CD, Digital download
Recorded	2012
Genre	Afrobeat
Length	03:43
Label	Made Men Music Group
Producer(s)	D'Tunes
Iyanya chronology
"Iyanya (My Story)" (2009) "Kukere" (2011) "Ur Waist" (2012)
Music video "Kukere" on YouTube

"Kukere" (Efik for "Don't Worry") is a song by Nigerian recording artist Iyanya, released as the first single from his second studio album Desire (2013). Upon its release, the song peaked at number 1 on Top FM's May Chart, Sound-city's Viewers Choice, Rhythm FM, and The Beat 99.9 FM's Blackberry Top Ten Countdown. In addition, it peaked at number 2 on Radio Port Harcourt.^[2] "Kukere", along with "Oliver Twist", was played during CEO dancers' live performance on Britain's Got Talent.^[3] To further promote his second studio album in London, Cokobar and Iyanya held a "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]

Music video

The music video ^[5] for the single was directed by Patrick Elis.^[6]

Accolades

"Kukere" won the "Best Pop Single" award and was nominated for "Song of the Year" at The Headies 2012.^[7][8] It also won the "Hottest Single of the Year" award at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards,^[9] and was nominated for "Best Contemporary Afro (Live Beats choice)" at the 2012 Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA).^[10] It was nominated for "Most Popular Song of the Year" at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards.^[11]

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[12]	3:43

Audio release history

Country	Date	Format	Label
Nigeria	December 4, 2011[13]	Digital download	Made Men Music Group

Video release history

Country	Date	Format	Label
Nigeria	March 24, 2012	Digital download	Made Men Music Group

Kukere Remix

"Kukere Remix"
Single by Iyanya featuring D'banj
from the album Desire
Released	August 20, 2012
Format	CD, Digital download
Recorded	2012
Genre	Afrobeat
Length	04:28
Label	Made Men Music Group
Producer(s)	D'Tunes
Iyanya chronology
"Ur Waist" (2012) "Kukere Remix" (2012) "Flavour" (2012)

The remix of Kukere features D'banj. It was released on August 20, 2012 as the third single from the Iyanya vs. Desire album.^[14] The song reprises the original hook and instrumental of Kukere.^[15]

Background

During an interview with Toolz, Iyanya said that D'banj reached out to him to do the remix. He went on to say that he was honored to work with D'banj. Furthermore, Iyanya said that they would be shooting a video for the remix.^[16] The music video was never shot and Iyanya went on to released music videos for "Ur Waist" and several other singles.

Critical reception

Upon its release, the remix received positive reviews from music critics. Ayo of Jaguda 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." ^[17]

Damilare Aiki of Bellanaija said: "When MTN Project Fame West Africa season 1 winner – 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. Now, the Kukere master has collaborated with the Koko Master himself – D’banj for the remix of this hit track. We are totally loving the track produced by D’Tunes with the two masters (Kukere master & Koko master) as it is definitely one all party goers will enjoy all day and all night." ^[18]

Demola OG of Notjustok added: "Wow! 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. Been a long time coming, Iyanya continues to become bigger and bigger." ^[19]

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

Audio release history

Country	Date	Format	Label
Nigeria	August 20, 2012	Digital download	Made Men Music Group

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. 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. "Iyanya – Kukere (Official video)". Afrobeat360. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
6. "BN Video Premiere: Iyanya – Kukere". BellaNaija. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
7. "Headies Awards 2012: Full List Of Winners". ModernGhana. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
8. "The Headies (Hip Hop World Awards 2012) Winners List". Hiphopworldmagazine. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
9. "Full List Of Nigeria Entertainment Awards Winners". spyghana. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
10. "Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA 2012 ) Full Winners List". Tooxclusive. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
11. 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.
12. "VIDEO: Iyanya – Kukere". NotJustOk. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
13. "New Heat: Iyanya – Kukere". 360nobs. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
14. "World Premiere: Iyanya-Kukere Remix ft D'banj". Gidilounge. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
15. "Iyanya – Kukere (Remix) (Feat. D’Banj)". BiGx Media Company. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
16. "Ndani TV: Iyanya talks about Yvonne Nelson// his new single and shows...". YouTube. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
17. "New Music: Iyanya – Kukere [Remix] Ft D’banj". Jaguda. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
18. "New Music: Iyanya Feat. D’banj – Kukere Remix". Bellanaija. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
19. "PREMIERE: Iyanya ft. D’banj – Kukere (Remix)". Notjustok. Retrieved 8 October 2013.