Popular Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, known professionally as Simi, has publicly requested that fans and the public refrain from referring to her daughter, Adejare, as “Duduke.” The moniker stems from Simi’s 2020 hit song Duduke, which she released while pregnant with her first child.
However, the artist clarified in a recent interview that the term holds no significant meaning and was never intended as a nickname for her daughter.
In a candid conversation with media personality VJ Adams, Simi addressed the widespread use of “Duduke” when referring to Adejare, her daughter with fellow musician Adekunle Gold.
The couple welcomed Adejare in June 2020, shortly after the release of the chart-topping single. The song, a heartfelt ode to Simi’s unborn child, resonated deeply with fans, leading many to affectionately nickname the newborn “Duduke” in reference to the track.
However, Simi expressed discomfort with the nickname, emphasizing that it lacks any meaningful connotation. “People call my daughter Duduke, which I don’t like,” she said during the interview. “That’s not her name. It doesn’t even mean anything. Had it meant something good, I would have allowed it. But it’s just a beat, duduke, duduke. That was what I meant. My heart beats like a drum.”
The term “Duduke,” as Simi explained, was an onomatopoeia she creatively incorporated into the song to mimic the sound of her heartbeat, symbolizing her emotional connection to her unborn child. While she acknowledges the nickname is used with good intentions, Simi lightheartedly urged fans to respect her daughter’s given name, Adejare.
“I get it, it’s coming from a good place, so I try not to react,” she added with a laugh, showcasing her understanding of her fans’ affection.
The Duduke single, released in April 2020, became a cultural phenomenon in Nigeria and beyond, celebrated for its soulful melody and heartfelt lyrics. The song’s music video, which featured Simi proudly displaying her baby bump, further endeared the track to fans, cementing its association with Adejare’s birth.
Simi’s request highlights a broader conversation about the boundaries between public personas and private lives, especially for celebrities whose personal milestones often become intertwined with their art.
As a prominent figure in Nigeria’s vibrant music industry, Simi has consistently used her platform to advocate for authenticity and personal agency, and this appeal reflects her desire to protect her daughter’s individual identity.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nigerian singer Simi has urged fans to stop calling her daughter, Adejare, “Duduke,” a nickname derived from her 2020 hit song. She clarified that “Duduke” is merely an onomatopoeia representing her heartbeat, not a meaningful name for her child.
