Popular Nigerian singer, Simisola Kosoko, known professionally as Simi, has appealed to fans and the public to stop calling her daughter, Adejare, by the nickname “Duduke,” a name that gained widespread popularity after the release of her 2020 hit single.
The award-winning artiste made this clarification during a recent conversation with media personality VJ Adams, where she opened up about the nickname that has trailed her daughter since birth.
The song “Duduke,” released while Simi was pregnant, became an anthem of hope and affection for expectant mothers across the country. Its emotional lyrics and symbolism endeared it to many fans, who began informally referring to her daughter as “Duduke” even after her birth.
But Simi said while she understands the love behind the nickname, she’s uncomfortable with it being used as a substitute for her daughter’s actual name.
“People call my daughter Duduke, which I don’t like. That’s not her name. It doesn’t even mean anything,” she said, adding, “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.”
Simi explained that the word “Duduke” was never intended to be a name, but rather an onomatopoeic expression to convey how her heart pounded with love and anticipation for her unborn child.
Despite her reservations, the singer acknowledged the goodwill behind the nickname.
“Stop calling my child Duduke [laughs]. But you know what? I get it, it’s coming from a good place, so I try not to react,” she said.
Simi shares her daughter, Adejare Kosoko, with fellow Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold. The couple welcomed their child in 2020 and have been protective of her identity, rarely showing her face on social media.
