The Classic “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” by Mike Ejeagha Inspires a Viral Dancing Challenge

[easy-tweet tweet=”The Classic “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” by Mike Ejeagha Inspires a Viral Dancing Challenge” hashtags=”#PUNCHNEWS”]Approximately forty years after “Gentleman” Mike Ejeagha published the immortal song “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche,” he had no idea that the song would set off a viral dance competition that would go viral on social media.

The Igbo-language song, which was released in 1983 as part of the Akuko Na Egwu album, Vol 1, narrates the tale of a cunning tortoise that traded an elephant for a princess it desired to marry, having brought the elephant to his in-law.

But it only took comedian Brain Jotter’s use of the song as a dance motion in one of his skits to give the hit track a viral twist, 41 years after the now 90-year-old legend Ejeagha released it.

The comedian Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Amuzie mimics the behavior of the elephant that fled from the turtle after realizing it was tricked by pursuing his pal in a dancing move.

The song’s rendition of “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” depicted the elephant’s leg beating as he pursued his companion, the tortoise.

Two people facing each other and going in different directions meet at a point in the dance routine. Here, they perform a humorous leg dance, and then the chorus’s “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” portion reverberates in the background while one of them chases the other.

Many people have been utilizing the music in the viral dance challenge after Brain Jotter was adopted, which has given the folklore-style artist’s song a new perspective.

Social media users have taken to the dancing challenge, particularly on TikTok, where it has amassed millions of views as a result of the popular song “Onye Isi Oche.”

Millions of people have viewed Brain Jotter’s dance videos on TikTok as of Sunday, July 21, 2024.

Within around a week of being posted, the comedian’s page had received 11.4 million views for the first video and 16.6 million views for the second. His Instagram feed also follows this trend.

The challenge has drawn participation from social media influencers, celebrities, clerics, and students.

When the Super Falcons landed in Bordeaux, France for the 2024 Olympics, they were seen dancing in an Instagram video posted by standout player Asisat Oshoala.

In the upcoming days, more celebrities are anticipated to join the trend.

The singer and his family have not yet responded to the social media craze sparked by Ejeagha, but a large number of online users are mobilizing to honor the venerable folklorist. According to reports, Brain Jotter requested the singer’s location in exchange for a N2 million cash prize.

Ejeagha was born in Owa, in the Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, in the early 1930s.

The lyricist has a unique style. He frequently incorporates Igbo proverbs into his didactic lyrics, which are accompanied by an acoustic guitar.