Four decades after its release, Bright Chimezie’s iconic highlife anthem “Because of English” has staged an unlikely but triumphant comeback, landing at No. 99 on the Spotify Nigeria Top 100 chart, powered by a new wave of digital love and a powerful endorsement from Afrobeats superstar Davido.
The revival was sparked when Davido revealed in a widely shared video call that “Because of English” was the creative spark behind “With You”, his collaborative hit with Omah Lay from his fifth studio album, 5ive. “The latest hit I just did with Omah Lay, I used inspiration from your song,” Davido told Chimezie directly — a moment that not only honored Chimezie’s legacy but introduced his Zigima Sound to an entirely new generation.
A visibly moved Chimezie responded with his trademark energy, posting a video of himself dancing to Davido’s track and calling it “a beautiful piece of work.” TikTok quickly joined the celebration, as users began crafting content around the witty, rhythm-rich original, turning it into a cultural moment once again.
Originally released in 1984, “Because of English” uses humor and satire to critique colonial language dynamics — a theme that feels surprisingly fresh in today’s socially aware soundscape. Its reentry into the charts underscores not just nostalgia, but relevance, as the boundaries between vintage highlife and Afrobeats continue to blur.
This unexpected charting marks a powerful reminder: the roots of Nigerian music still bear fruit — and when legends and newcomers connect, magic happens.
