Nigerian skit maker Brain Jotter paid a visit on Monday to legendary highlife singer Mike “Gentleman” Ejeagha.
The visit comes after Brain Jotter’s viral dance moves to Ejeagha’s iconic song “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” gained widespread popularity online. The dance routine involves a series of lively steps, including facing opposite directions, walking towards each other, performing a comical leg dance, and finally, chasing each other to the catchy chorus of “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo”.
At 93 years old, Ejeagha has seen his song, which tells the story of a cunning tortoise outsmarting an elephant, resonate with a new generation, bringing renewed attention to Nigerian folklore and Igbo culture. The song, part of the Akuko Na Egwu album, Vol. 1, narrates how a clever tortoise tricked an elephant to win a princess’s hand in marriage.
Brain Jotter’s initial Instagram clip of the dance, shared on July 5, garnered nearly one million likes by July 21. Similar videos on TikTok have been viewed massively, with over a thousand recreations and many Nigerians, including celebrities, joining in the “Gwo Gwo Ngwo” dance challenge.
On Monday, Brain Jotter shared a photo with the highlife legend, expressing his joy over the meeting and hinting at a forthcoming story. He captioned the photo, “So happy I did this. Story coming soon.”
