Ibadan-born Afrobeats singer-songwriter Taves makes history by officially sampling Wizkid’s classic “Don’t Dull” on his playful new single titled “Uche Jumbo.”
That detail alone makes this record worth paying attention to. “Don’t Dull” dropped in 2011 as part of Wizkid’s Superstar album and helped shape the sound of an entire generation of Nigerian pop music. Yet in over a decade, no artist had officially sampled it — until now. Taves takes that familiar foundation and rebuilds it entirely, stretching the classic rhythm across his own vocal style in a way that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh. Produced by Arieenati, OG Sterling, and Samklef under the MARS imprint, the record bridges two distinct eras of Afrobeats without forcing the connection.
The Nollywood Reference
The title of the song is a good touch. Rather than naming the song after the woman it describes, Taves compares her to Uche Jombo — the legendary Nollywood actress with over 200 films to her credit. But he doesn’t stop there. The chorus also references Agbani Darego, the first Black African Miss World, and veteran actress Monalisa Chinda. By stacking those Nigerian beauty icons together, Taves creates a visual language that every listener from this part of the world immediately understands. It’s flirtatious, culturally specific, and impossible not to smile at.
Taves the Artist
Toluwanimi Aluko has been carving his own niche quietly in the Afrobeats space. His 2024 project Are You Listening? introduced him as an artist willing to move between genres – mainstream Afrobeats, trap-laced R&B, and experimental synth-pop all show up across his catalogue. Songs like “Way2Yung,” “Folake,” and “A Million Things” each explore different sonic territories. So “Uche Jumbo” is not a one-trick moment. It’s part of a bigger pattern from an artist who refuses to stay in one lane.
Why It’s Trending
BellaNaija ran a full feature on the Wizkid sample angle today, and the song is already sitting in the top five on Xclusiveloaded’s trending chart. That kind of early momentum suggests “Uche Jumbo” has legs beyond the initial curiosity factor. The combination of a historic sample, playful lyrics, and strong production gives it staying power that most new releases struggle to achieve in a crowded week.
Go stream “Uche Jumbo” now on all major platforms and hear how Taves turned a classic into something entirely his own.
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