Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s collaboration in “Gimme Dat” is a vibrant celebration of sensuality, energy, and effortless charm, woven into a mid-tempo, Afro-fusion groove that is both addictive and graceful. Right from the opening beats, there’s a palpable lightness in the rhythm that sets the mood for what is an unmistakably flirtatious yet soothing sonic journey. Ayra Starr’s entrance is delicate but confident, her vocals smooth as silk as she caresses the opening lines. She sings with a tone that suggests both a tease and a command, murmuring, “Gimme that, gimme that, gimme that loving.” The repetition here cleverly mirrors both a demand and a yearning, as though asking and affirming her right to affection at once.

The lyrical simplicity of “Gimme Dat” works powerfully in its favour. In the hands of lesser artists, the repeated calls of “gimme dat” might have felt trite, but Ayra’s emotional delivery—tinged with playful urgency—gives the phrase new life. Her voice lilts and soars as she outlines her desires unapologetically, yet sweetly. It is refreshing to see female agency in full expression, as Ayra takes control of the narrative. “Boy, make you gimme dat, no waste my time,” she insists, setting a tone of expectation and assertiveness without aggression. Her cadence is both pleading and commanding, showing the fine line between vulnerability and dominance.

Wizkid’s arrival on the track feels like a natural progression rather than an interruption. He blends into the flow effortlessly, adding his signature mellow and hypnotic vibe. Wizkid matches Ayra’s energy perfectly, responding with equally playful lyrics, “Baby, make I give you something, make you no forget.” His phrasing, delivered in that unmistakable drawl, is designed to be sticky—clinging to the listener’s memory like the hook of a classic love song. It feels less like a conversation and more like an intimate dance between two confident lovers, teasing and tempting each other in a space where words sometimes dissolve into pure feeling.

Musically, “Gimme Dat” rests heavily on rhythmic basslines and soft percussion, typical of the Afro-fusion soundscape. But the lyrical structure also feels almost minimalist—there are no complex stories being told, no layered metaphors to decode. Instead, the song thrives on mood, tone, and repetition. Yet within this simplicity lies the beauty of the composition: it mirrors real-life flirtation, where words are often fewer, and emotions, tensions, and chemistry do most of the speaking. The repeated hooks—“Gimme dat loving, gimme dat touch,” and similar refrains—create a hypnotic pull, immersing the listener deeper into the mellow, almost trance-like vibe.

One particularly striking feature is how Ayra Starr and Wizkid both use vocal inflections to communicate more than the literal meaning of the lyrics. In several instances, Ayra’s voice thins into a whisper, while Wizkid often slides into semi-mumbled, teasing tones that feel like secret invitations. These stylistic choices amplify the intimacy of the track. The chemistry between the two artists is palpable, and while the lyrics themselves might not offer a complex narrative arc, the emotional layers embedded in the performance suggest a dynamic, playful tension between attraction and satisfaction.

Beyond its immediate surface of flirtation and affection, “Gimme Dat” also fits neatly into a larger tradition of Afrobeat and Afro-fusion love songs where affection is presented not as grand, flowery poetry but as an everyday negotiation between lovers. Lines like “No dey do me yawa,” and “You dey burst my brain,” are colloquial, familiar, and accessible to a wide audience. These phrases feel lived-in, reflecting how real conversations about love and desire unfold in contemporary relationships. The use of Nigerian Pidgin English by both artists reinforces the authenticity of the sound and grounds the song deeply within its African roots, even as its sound is globally palatable.

Moreover, Ayra Starr’s performance here underscores her rapid evolution as an artist. Her delivery in “Gimme Dat” is more confident and self-assured than ever, showcasing her ability to command attention while sharing a track with a superstar like Wizkid. Rather than being overshadowed, Ayra stands tall, her vocals sometimes even leading the emotional direction of the song. Wizkid, for his part, does what he does best—infusing smoothness and understated swagger into every line, turning what could have been simple words into emotionally charged declarations.

The outro of the song fades with repeated calls of “Gimme dat,” layered over a gradually softening beat. It’s a fitting end—leaving the listener slightly suspended, craving more. There is no resolution, no storybook closure; the track, like flirtation itself, remains open-ended, inviting multiple replays. It’s a clever move that mirrors the addictive quality of the emotions being portrayed.

“Gimme Dat” by Ayra Starr and Wizkid succeeds because it embraces the purity of feeling over the complexity of thought. The lyrics, while not expansive, are rich in emotional suggestion and masterfully performed. The repetition, rather than feeling monotonous, reinforces the emotional core of the song: the human desire for affection, attention, and intimacy. It is a track that you do not just listen to—you feel it, and like the phrase repeated throughout the song, you find yourself wanting to ask for more: “Gimme dat.”

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