Similarities between ''Odo'' by Asa and ''Cough'' by Kizz Daniel

Music is often called a universal language, one that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. Other than this, it's also a vehicle of popularization. When we look at "Odo", a word that means "love" in Ghana’s Akan language, (but specifically commonly used in Twi dialect) and how two Nigerian artistes—Kizz Daniel and Aṣa— have interpreted it through their songs, we see that they reflect two very different moods and approaches.

Kizz Daniel’s "Cough (Odo)" first released in October 2022, and produced by Blaisebeatz and Philkeyz before a remix in July 2023 featuring Becky G, an American singer offers a vibrant, danceable afropop sound. Although the core of the song is infatuation or obsession, the in-thing in the fast genre: bumbum, breasts, sex, vulgarism, etc., Kizz Daniel expresses intense feelings for his lover — so strong that it's almost like an addiction or a "sickness" (which explains the “cough” metaphor at the beginning of the song). He’s caught up emotionally, unable to resist his love interest.

The song served as the lead single for EMPIRE's compilation album "Where We Come From, Vol. 01," as well as the third single from his own album "Maverick," achieving significant commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100 chart and setting a record with 10.5 million streams and 70.2 million in radio plays during its first week.

For a moment, I want to believe Asa is a lover girl who yearns for genuineness, taking a cue from her love songs: "Love Found Me," "Show Me Love," "Bibanke," "Dead Again," and now, "Odo". Aṣa’s "Odo" produced by P.Priime is a tender, soulful exploration of emotional connection that extends far beyond sex and material things.

It was released in February 2024 after a two-year hiatus to mark her return to the music scene since her 2022 "V" album. From its release date, the song has received critical acclaim for its timeless quality, simplicity, depth, soulful and emotive delivery resonating with listeners on a personal level.

Below are the wordings of both. Enjoy.

"Odo" by Asa

It's not about moneyI've got everything money can buy me, you seeMoney don't impress meI just want someone who compliments meGo around the world with meGo to Thailand, Bali, New Delhi

Odo OdoOdo yewuOdo I just want you OdoOdo

Odo OdoOdo yewuOdo I just want to love youOdo Odo

Ooh oohI just want to love you yeahOoh yeah, yeah oh

Sometimes this love don't make no sense yeahBut we've got till the end of our livesJust like two love birds in a cage oOh Odo Odo ye

Odo Odo (Odo ye ye ye)Odo aye Odo (Odo ye ye ye)Odo Odo (Odo ye ye ye)Aye Odo Odo (Odo ye ye ye)

Odo OdoOdo yewuI just want youOdo Odo

Odo OdoOdo yewuI just want to love youOdo Odo

Ooh oohI just want to love you yeah

Odo OdoOdo yewu(Let me love you OdoThe way I want)

Odo OdoOdo Odo ye

"Cough (Odo)" remix by Kizz Daniel

AlrightGoEh-ehEh-eh (Obah)Eh-eh (mad oh)Eh-eh (odoye', odoyewu ye, eh-eh)Eh-eh (to a place she loves)Eh-eh

I want to flex my love (eh-eh)I wan impress (eh-eh)And I want to carry my love away (eh-eh)To a place she loves (eh-eh)And my woman, woman (eh-eh)I wan impress (eh-eh)And I want to carry my love away (eh-eh, comot)To a place she loves (eh-eh), eh

'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu (odo)'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu (odo)'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu

Odo, odo (eh-eh)Odo eh, odoyewu ye (eh-eh)You know that my body calling (eh-eh)And your body picking (oh no) (eh-eh)Loving you dey make me forget say I get problemBy the end of the nightEnter bathroom, fresh up

'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu (odo)'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu

Tú eres mi amorYou are the king (king, king)Te quiero más que lo que quieroAll the bling-bling-blingSoy tu woman, woman, yeahYou got the best (best, best)Nobody else to llevarmeI'm in love with my bebé, bebé

Thinkin' 'bout you like dailyIt's whatever you want, que quieresDale, dale, hurry, I'm waitingI'm ready, we can have un neneUna nenaFrancisco IsabelaAny order, cualquier horaOnly tears of joy cuando me lloras

I want to flex my love (eh-eh)I wan impress (eh-eh)I want to carry my love away (eh-eh)To a place he loves (eh-eh)I'm his woman, woman (eh-eh)I wan impress (eh-eh)And I want to carry my love away (eh-eh)To a place he loves (eh-eh)

'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu (yes)'Doyewu, 'doyewuOdoyewu ye, odoyewu (oh, oh)