CKay’s “Love Nwantiti”: The Global Rise

Warner Music Africa MD Temi Adeniji shares how CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” became a global phenomenon, dominating charts in India, the U.S., and beyond.

Warner Music Africa’s Managing Director, Temi Adeniji, has shared the behind-the-scenes story of how CKay’s Afrobeats anthem, Love Nwantiti, transformed from a viral moment to a global hit, dominating charts and streaming platforms across six continents.

Also read: Jaywon Slams Billboard Over ‘This Year’ Cultural Impact

Speaking during a Martell Afrobeats session, Adeniji described the unexpected journey of the song’s success, which began shortly after she assumed office in April 2021.

“I was in the U.S. I got a text saying, ‘This thing is going viral’ in August,” she said.
“We never really go to radio with a song like this, but for whatever reason, the team took a gamble — and it worked.”

Adeniji noted that she recognized the song’s global potential early on when she noticed it was gaining traction in India.

“I called the MD there and said, ‘This thing is moving in India — I want to push it here,’ and he did. We were number one for 16 weeks,” she revealed.

Since its release, Love Nwantiti has shattered records and opened doors for Afrobeats on the global stage:

Also read: Best Afrobeats Songs of All-Time: Billboard’s Bold Rankings

Love Nwantiti became a viral sensation on TikTok, inspiring dance challenges, remixes, and covers across the globe — helping push Afrobeats into mainstream culture like never before.