Songfacts®:

• Eugene Chukwuka Ekweani is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and producer who records under the name CKay. His music is a mixture of Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall, which he labels "Afro-Futuristic." CKay released "Love Nwantiti" as a single on August 29, 2019.
• "Love Nwantinti" is a love song with lyrics that are a mix of English and Igbo, a language spoken in Nigeria. The song title means "small love," a puzzling translation for English speakers as CKay's love for his girl is clearly not "small."
• Many Nigerians know the phrase "Love Nwantinti" for being the title of their native singer Nelly Uchendu's 1976 hit tune. An Igbo folk song in praise of a local beauty, Uchendu rose to prominence upon its release. "Love Nwantinti" earned her the sobriquet, "Lady with the Golden Voice."
• On February 14, 2020, CKay dropped the song's official remix as a Valentine's gift to his fans. It features two new verses by Nigerian singer-songwriter JoeBoy and Ghanaian afrobeat artist Kuami Eugene. The new version became a huge success in Nigeria, then in other African countries, eventually becoming a worldwide hit.
• CKay recorded a series of collaborations with local artists for localized variations. The French version features French rapper Franglish; the Spanish, Puerto Rican reggaeton artist De La Ghetto; and the North African, Moroccan rapper ElGrandeToto.
• "Love Nwantiti" originated as a freestyle laid down by CKay. The Nigerian singer told Rolling Stone he didn't write down a single word. "I was in my living room, making beats like I usually do, and I played the chords, built on them, and did my freestyle," CKay explained. "I recorded around midnight and I was really sleepy, so I decided I was gonna put words to the 'ah ah ah' part in the morning. Long story short, woke up in the morning and realized it was fire exactly how it was."
• The song proved popular on TikTok, with users using its fluid sound for a variety of videos, including some that replicate TikToker Tracy Joseph's dynamic choreography on her viral clip.
• The song topped the singles charts in several countries, including France, India, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland.