The 1983 hit “Onye Ori Utaba” by Nigerian traditional music icon Mike “Gentleman” Ejeagha, which features the cry “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” has unexpectedly become viral, igniting a worldwide dance challenge.
Popular comedian and skitmaker Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Amuzie, also known as Brain Jotter, has given a fresh spin to the 41-year-old song, and it has since gone viral on social media.
Posting on July 5th, Brain Jotter’s first Instagram video featured a funny leg dance, participants ran after each other to the chorus “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” and the dance was unique.
The video became viral, with over a million views by July 21st and other remakes appearing on various social media sites.
Many famous people, among others, have joined the challenge. Asisat Oshoala and the rest of the Super Falcons danced the routine in Bordeaux in the lead-up to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Tobi Bakre, a former housemate of Big Brother Naija, and his wife got in on the craze as well.
Several other famous people have joined the bandwagon as well, such as Sabinus, Crazeclown, and Ade.
This song is from Akuko Na Egwu’s Vol. 1 CD and tells the story of a crafty tortoise who got the princess he wanted by trading an elephant with his in-laws.
Prior to her father, the king, asking her why, the princess had turned down multiple proposals. She told him she was looking for a man who could give her an elephant as a wedding gift. The tortoise then played a prank on the elephant by posing as the event’s chairman.
But the sly turtle, a staple of Igbo legend, was only able to fool his companion, much to the giant’s ire.
A surprising development occurred on Sunday when Brain Jotter voiced his intention to meet Ejeagha. He captioned an Instagram photo of their encounter with the words “So happy I did this” by Monday. Excerpt will follow shortly.
Many admirers have praised Brain Jotter for his generous gesture, which has been well-received by the audience.
Nonetheless, Ejeagha has received a lot of attention due to the viral challenge, and people who wish him well have been showing up at his house with gifts.
“Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” has made a surprising comeback, bringing Ejeagha’s music to a whole new generation of listeners and solidifying his place in Nigerian folklore music history.
You can also check out the song and then DOWNLOAD it on the link below!
Monday Junior
4 months ago
I like the gwo gwo gwo