Simi to Fans: My Daughter’s Name Isn’t ‘Duduke

Nigerian singer Simi has kindly asked fans to draw a line between her music and motherhood by no longer referring to her daughter as Duduke.

In a candid conversation with media personality VJ Adams, the artist explained that while the nickname may be well-intentioned, it’s simply misplaced.

“Some people call my daughter Duduke, which I don’t like. That’s not her name. It doesn’t mean anything,” she clarified.

“Even if it meant something beautiful like ‘blessing’… it doesn’t. It’s just a beat, that’s what I meant. My heartbeat like a drum.“

The 2020 hit song Duduke, a heartfelt ballad written during her pregnancy, quickly became an anthem for expectant mothers and a symbol of affection tied to her child. But Simi emphasized that artistic symbolism shouldn’t replace a child’s real identity.

“I know it comes from a good place,” she said with grace. “But it’s still uncomfortable. I try not to react too much, but please stop calling my child Duduke.“

Simi and her husband, fellow artist Adekunle Gold, welcomed their daughter in 2020. While the song may have immortalized that moment of joy, the artist is reminding fans that the name belongs to the music not the child.