{{Short description|2011 single by Iyanya}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=July 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox song | name = Kukere | cover = Iyanya - Kukere cover.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Iyanya | album = Desire | released = 23 November 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=PREMIERE: Iyanya – Kukere + Video Shoot (Pics)|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2011/11/23/premiere-iyanya-kukere-video-shoot-pics|website=Notjustok|publisher=Demola Ogundele|access-date=9 June 2025|archive-date=27 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227235602/http://www.notjustok.com/2011/11/23/premiere-iyanya-kukere-video-shoot-pics|url-status=dead}}</ref> | recorded = 2010–11 | studio = | venue = | genre = Afrobeats | length = {{Duration|m=03|s=43}} | label = Made Men Music Group | writer = Iyanya Mbuk | producer = D'Tunes | chronology = Iyanya | prev_title = Iyanya (My Story) | prev_year = 2009 | next_title = Ur Waist | next_year = 2012 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|sBoV1VSpKLo|"Kukere"}} }} }}
"'''Kukere'''" (Efik: "Don't think/worry") is a song by Nigerian singer Iyanya, released by Made Men Music Group on 23 November 2011. It serves as the lead single from his second studio album, ''Desire'' (2013). Upon release, the song peaked at number one on Top FM's May Chart, Soundcity's Viewers Choice, Rhythm FM, and The Beat 99.9 FM's Blackberry Top Ten Countdown. Moreover, it peaked at number two on Radio Port Harcourt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iyanya Mbuk Biography (Nigerian Music Artist)|url=http://www.nigeriamusicnetwork.com/articles/read-iyanya-mbuk-biography-nigerian-music-artist_171.html|publisher=Nigerian Music Network|accessdate=3 August 2013|archive-date=18 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818011656/http://www.nigeriamusicnetwork.com/articles/read-iyanya-mbuk-biography-nigerian-music-artist_171.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Kukere" won Hottest Single of the Year at 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best Pop Single at The Headies 2012.
==Background== During a visit to his hometown of Calabar, Iyanya noticed that the Etighi dance lacked a signature track. Wanting to bring the dance to a wider audience, he collaborated with producer D'Tunes to create "Kukere".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se0qoNO229g | title=iROKtv - Iyanya Interview | publisher=YouTube | work=iROKtv - Iyanya Interview | date=18 May 2012 | accessdate=17 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225194137/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se0qoNO229g | archive-date=25 December 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref>
CEO Dancers performed the song during their performance on ''Britain's Got Talent''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Booty-tastic! CEO Dancers shake the BGT stage – With Iyanya (Kukere) & D' banj (Oliver)|url=http://sndmag.com/booty-tastic-ceo-dancers-shake-the-bgt-stage-with-iyanya-kukere-d-banj-oliver/|publisher=sndmag|accessdate=3 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061008/http://sndmag.com/booty-tastic-ceo-dancers-shake-the-bgt-stage-with-iyanya-kukere-d-banj-oliver/|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cokobar and Iyanya organized the Kukere Queen Competition in order to better promote the album in London. The competition required participants to submit a dancing video of themselves along with three justifications for why they should win.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iyanya Picks his Kukere Queen! Co-Hosts "Kukere Concert" With Tonto Dikeh on 9th June 2013 in London|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/06/06/iyanya-picks-his-kukere-queen-co-hosts-kukere-concert-with-tonto-dikeh-on-9th-june-2013-in-london/|publisher=Bella Niaja|accessdate=3 August 2013}}</ref>
==Accolades== {| class="wikitable" |- !Year !width="250"| Awards ceremony !width="450"| Award description(s) !width="75" | Results !Ref |- |rowspan="2"|2013 |Nigeria Entertainment Awards |Hottest Single of the Year |{{won}} |<ref>{{cite web|title=Full List Of Nigeria Entertainment Awards Winners|url=http://www.spyghana.com/full-list-of-nigeria-entertainment-awards-winners/|publisher=spyghana|date=3 September 2013|accessdate=4 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191223/http://www.spyghana.com/full-list-of-nigeria-entertainment-awards-winners/|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |City People Entertainment Awards |Most Popular Song of the Year |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web|last=Aiki|first=Damilare|title=Ice Prince, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Sarkodie, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Yvonne Okoro, Tonto Dikeh & BellaNaija Nominated for the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards - See the Full List|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/06/19/ice-prince-omotola-jalade-ekeinde-sarkodie-nse-ikpe-etim-yvonne-okoro-tonto-dikeh-bellanaija-nominated-for-the-2013-city-people-entertainment-awards-see-the-full-list/|publisher=Bellanaija|accessdate=19 December 2013|date=19 June 2013}}</ref> |- |rowspan="3"|2012 |Nigerian Music Video Awards |Best Contemporary Afro |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA 2012 ) Full Winners List|url=http://tooxclusive.com/2012/12/21/nigerian-music-video-awards-nmva-2012-full-winners-list/|publisher=Tooxclusive|accessdate=24 October 2013}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|The Headies |Best Pop Single |{{won}} |rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Headies Awards 2012: Full List Of Winners|url=http://www.modernghana.com/movie/20779/3/headies-awards-2012-full-list-of-winners.html|publisher=ModernGhana|accessdate=30 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Headies (Hip Hop World Awards 2012) Winners List |url=http://hiphopworldmagazine.com/2012/12/31/the-headies-hip-hop-world-awards-2012-winners-list/ |publisher=Hiphopworldmagazine |accessdate=13 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029124148/http://hiphopworldmagazine.com/2012/12/31/the-headies-hip-hop-world-awards-2012-winners-list/ |archivedate=29 October 2013 }}</ref> |- |Song of the Year |{{nom}} |}
==Kukere (Remix)== {{Infobox song | name = Kukere (Remix) | cover = Iyanya's Kukere Remix cover.jpg | alt = | type = remix | artist = Iyanya featuring D'banj | album = Desire | released = {{Start date|df=yes|2012|08|20}} | recorded = 2012 | studio = | venue = | genre = Afrobeats | length = {{Duration|m=04|s=28}} | label = Made Men Music Group | writer = {{hlist|Iyanya Mbuk|Dapo Oyebanjo}} | producer = D'Tunes | chronology = Iyanya | prev_title = Ur Waist | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = Flavour | next_year = 2012 | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = D'banj | type = song | prev_title = {{noitalic|"Tony Montana (Remix)"}} | prev_year = 2012 | title = {{noitalic|"Kukere (Remix)"}} | year = 2012 | next_title = {{noitalic|"Bachelor"}} | next_year = 2012 }} {{External music video|header=Audio video|type=song|{{YouTube|6CWuvUgvuQQ|"Kukere (Remix)"}}}} }}
The remix of "Kukere" was made available on August 20, 2012. It features vocals by D'banj and serves as the album's third single.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Premiere: Iyanya-Kukere Remix ft D'banj|url=http://www.gidilounge.com/music/new-music-iyanya-kukere-remix-ft-dbanj/|publisher=Gidilounge|accessdate=8 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610231412/http://www.gidilounge.com/music/new-music-iyanya-kukere-remix-ft-dbanj/|archive-date=10 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The track reprises the original song's hook and instrumental.<ref>{{cite web|title=Iyanya – Kukere (Remix) (Feat. D'Banj)|url=http://bigxgh.com/iyanya-kukere-remix-feat-dbanj/|publisher=BiGx Media Company|accessdate=8 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208164303/http://bigxgh.com/iyanya-kukere-remix-feat-dbanj/|archive-date=8 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Background=== In an interview with Toolz, Iyanya said D'banj reached out to him to do the remix and that he was honored to work with the singer. Iyanya also stated that the remix would have a music video; however, the video was never made or filmed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ndani TV: Iyanya talks about Yvonne Nelson// his new single and shows...|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzaZGz3isr4|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref>
===Critical reception=== The remix of "Kukere" received positive reviews from music critics. Jaguda's Ayo Jaguda praised Iyanya for releasing "one of the biggest dance track ever made" and commended D'Tunes for "the crazy beat".<ref>{{cite web|title=New Music: Iyanya – Kukere [Remix] Ft D'banj|url=http://www.jaguda.com/2012/08/20/new-music-iyanya-kukere-remix-ft-dbanj/|publisher=Jaguda|accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref> Damilare Aiki of ''BellaNaija'' said the song "became a national anthem" after being released and that it was "a breath of fresh air".<ref>{{cite web|title=New Music: Iyanya Feat. D'banj – Kukere Remix|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/08/20/new-music-iyanya-feat-dbanj-kukere-remix/|publisher=Bellanaija|accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref> NotJustOk's Demola Ogundele characterized the song as a "huge national track" and commended both Iyanya and D'banj for recording the song.<ref>{{cite web|title=PREMIERE: Iyanya ft. D'banj – Kukere (Remix)|url=http://notjustok.com/2012/08/20/premiere-iyanya-ft-dbanj-kukere-remix/|publisher=Notjustok|accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}} {{Iyanya}} {{D'banj}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Iyanya songs Category:2012 songs Category:2012 singles Category:D'banj songs Category:Song recordings produced by D'Tunes Category:Made Men Music Group singles