Emerging Afrobeats talent and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus sensation, Gbenga David, artistically referred to as GDAVE (Zuka), has revealed that his viral song from two years ago, “Back With Dreams” (BWD), helped him get through challenging moments in his career.
In an interview with an ACJOAU correspondent, reflecting on the massive impact of the hit song after its release, GDAVE explained that the smash record was more than just another release for him, but a saving grace from setbacks he faced at the time.
@gdaveofficial2 My first single will out May 3rd anticipate 🚀📌❤️💯💥 #BACKWITHDREAMS #trending #fybシviral_video_tiktok💯😊 #trend #fypシ゚viral #mostblow #blowthisup #viralvideo #mostviralvideo #africantiktok #fyp #zuka #gdaveofficial2 #viral
Performing back with dreams on campus
According to him, he got the inspiration for the song from disappointments he received after the Headies Mic Check in 2022, having had high hopes for the competition and the benefits he could gain from winning, just to face eviction and get snubbed by notable people who had already made certain promises to help his career.
This opened the door to all kinds of advice and words of encouragement from different people. Determined to bounce back and strengthen his musical craft, Zuka enrolled in a music academy, where he learned to play instruments, underwent voice training, and eventually created the hit song in the process.
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In his words, ‘What inspired the song were the ups and downs I faced after returning from the Headies Mic Check. During the ASUU strike in 2022, I heard about the Headies Mic Check and went to my producer to record my entry. After recording, he advised me on a few things, so I went back to Lagos to spend time alone and work on myself.
‘Eventually, I got selected among the top 20 contestants, but I was evicted before the top 10. It was tough. People kept giving different advice, and it felt overwhelming, but I accepted it and returned to my plan. I later enrolled at Joalaz Music Academy, where I learnt keyboard and did voice training. During that period, I wrote a 16-bar rap titled ‘BACK’, expressing everything that happened before, during, and after the Mic Check.
‘When school resumed, I released the rap, and later, we added a soulful chorus, which became ‘Back With Dreams.’ If you listen to the rap verse, you’ll understand how personal and powerful it is. It is not just an ordinary verse. It is based on my life during that period. A lot of things happened, to be honest. Not everything will be shared online. So many people promised and failed. Some even promised to support after the headies mic check, but they slyed.’
@gdaveofficial2 Performing live : Eyan Mayweather by OLAMIDE #gdaveofficial #trendingreels #reels #fybシviral #trending #fyp #fypage #viralvideo #trend #reels__tiktok #olamide #baddo #headiesmiccheck
GDAVE further shared that he already had the notion that the song would make numbers right from its recording process, explaining that the reception he received from those present in the studio and the positive feedback he got after dropping the snippet online assured him that the track was truly a hit.
Just like every viral song would, Zuka noted that the track brought more fame and attention to his personality as an artist on campus, making artists and people in general interested in his music and who he is. However, he believes he still hasn’t gotten near the level he wishes to attain at all, emphasising that he still has more work to do and key moments to utilise, just like he did with BWD.
He said, ‘The song gave me visibility, and it brought a little pressure as well, in terms of living up to the expectations again. But I have not even gotten enough fame yet. I am still trying.’
‘One lesson I learnt from the experience is never to do trial and error when one has one’s moments. Just utilise it well and boom. Also, success is something you are not meant to sleep on once you taste it. One success requires more success, so you gotta keep on grinding to achieve more success,’ he added.