Nigerian music sensation Simi has opened up about a subject close to her heart—people calling her daughter by the wrong name.
In an emotionally honest revelation, the Duduke crooner gently set the record straight: her daughter’s name is not Duduke, it’s Adejare.
“I understand that Duduke means a lot to many people, but it’s not my baby’s name,” Simi said during a recent chat that has since sparked reactions across social media. The term “Duduke,” as she clarified, is a creative expression—a metaphor for the heartbeat and excitement she felt while carrying her child. It’s a musical embodiment of anticipation, hope, and maternal love.
Released in April 2020, Duduke quickly became a cultural moment. Its tender lyrics and soothing rhythm transformed it into a motherhood anthem, with the song’s music video famously featuring Simi cradling her baby bump. The release coincided with her pregnancy, and fans naturally connected the baby in her belly to the song’s title. The viral #DudukeChallenge saw people worldwide dancing and swaying their hips in homage to the song’s powerful message.
But for Simi, the bond between her and the song runs deeper than the fame. It’s a heartfelt letter to her unborn daughter, Adejare Kosoko, and one that still makes her beam with joy whenever she hears it. “Every time I play Duduke, she lights up. She knows it’s special,” Simi shared.
Still, the singer wants people to honor that specialness by calling her daughter by her rightful name. “I know people mean well, but Duduke is a song, not my daughter’s identity,” she said. “Her name is Adejare, and that’s what she should be known as.”
While Duduke will forever remain a symbol of love and motherhood for Simi and her fans, she hopes people can appreciate the boundary between artistic expression and personal identity.
So next time you celebrate the beautiful melody that brought joy to many during the lockdown, remember: she is Adejare, not Duduke.
