Davido; Should pop singer release a remix of 'If'?

The best thing about Davido’s ‘If’ how timeless it sounds.It’s in a class of very few evergreen pop songs, which can still have playback value even

after 10 years. The only other pop songs which has been released in the space of the last 1 year will be Tekno’s ‘Pana’, and Runtown’s ‘Mad Over You’.

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Davido and Tekno worked hard together at creating the perfect wavy sound to sit  right at the heart of the tempo and sound motif that Lagos and all its surrounding cities are basking in. That drop-stop drumkick, combined with meandering pop synths, and intermittent supply of horns feel like heaven.

“No do, no do, no do gra gra for me..” Davido sings on the chorus, a clear borrowing of Lagbaja’s hit song,’Gra Gra’, which would hit the recognition centers of our brains and pave way for better acceptance.

The video shows Davido, on a street in London, where he is smitten by a love interest played by veteran dancer and video vixen,  Nqobile Danseur, a model who has worked with Drake, Wizkid, Rihanna and more.

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Nqobilé Danseur and Davido in 'If' video

 (Instagram)

And it has done so much. From Kano to Bayelsa, the song has circulated into various continents, with numerous videos of people in different countries vibing to it. Popular amongst them is US superstar singer, Omarion, who was videoed in his car singing along to it.

Davido’s performances and tours have also brought evidence that ‘If’ has achieved cross-continental penetration and acceptance.

And as is the practice amongst most artists, the management will want to extend the song title, and get it going far. Sometimes if the song has a national success, they would want to extend the life of the single, and maximise sales of the record, by throwing out another version. For many others, they target other markets, bring artists from those regions on to the song, and create versions.

It happens all the time to give the artist leverage, and expand on the record that they started in their home countries. That way, the momentum is built gradually, and an artist can light up beneficial buzzes and fires in all those regions.

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Nqobilé Danseur and Davido in 'If' video

 (Instagram)

From a marketing angle, it’s alright for Davido to throw people on to the song. It means the singer would grow his brand, and make more money from having the celebrated local artists to collaborate with him on a song that has shown promise.

R.Kelly has recorded a remix, but Davido has to resist the allure of having him on an official remix. An unofficial release would be great, but for anything official, no offense, but R.Kelly is way too irrelevant to have him on the single.

The market has left him. He is yesterday’s man, who has had a legendary run, and is looking at a great comeback. Davido’s record should not have him. What Davido needs is more spark.

He is playing at a level that requires him to collaborate with artists with more contemporary appeal and currency. R.Kelly is good, but Drake is better. Migos and Young Thug are better for the crowd that he is hoping to capture internationally.

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Nqobilé Danseur and Davido in 'If' video

 (Instagram)

But on an artistic level, it’s okay to let ‘If’ stay in the shape and form that it already has. Promote it in those regions, and it’s universal appeal will do the trick. It’s artistically complete and definitive. A remix will subtract from it. Just like D’banj took away from Oritsefemi’s ‘Double Wahala’.

If Davido would have to do it, it has to be special. The instrumental would have to be remodelled and new melodic elements thrown in to create a new record that is inspired by it’s predecessor. It would be more original and authentic, than getting any talent just record a verse and add to it. That’s what Davido should do.

Other than these, ‘If’ is better like this, and best enjoyed in its original form.