Wizkid, Ayra Starr Face Backlash Over ‘Gimme Dat’ Diallo Lyrics

Nigerian music superstars Wizkid and Ayra Starr have faced significant backlash over their new single "Gimme Dat," amid accusations that the track disrespectfully references the name of Amadou Diallo, a Guinean immigrant fatally shot by New York City police in 1999. Critics took issue with the song's chorus, which romantically repeats the name "Diallo," interpreting it as insensitive to the memory of Diallo and the tragedy surrounding his death. The controversy intensified after Ayra Starr promoted the music video on X (formerly Twitter), leading to viral criticism that linked the song to Wyclef Jean's earlier track about Diallo and police brutality, accusing the artists of trivializing a serious issue. However, some defenders argued that the song samples Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige's love song "911," asserting that the use of "Diallo" in the chorus is unrelated to the tragic context and is instead part of a romantic narrative. The official video, directed by Annie Bercy and Starr, features sensual visuals and draws on the classic "911" sample, emphasizing a romantic and intimate theme rather than a political or historical one. Despite the controversy, "Gimme Dat" marks a notable collaboration between Wizkid and Ayra Starr amid their ongoing successful careers, with Starr also preparing for her acting debut in the upcoming film adaptation of "Children of Blood and Bone."