If you’ve been walking around humming “Gimme Dat” like your life depends on it, there’s a reason it feels both brand-new and strangely nostalgic. Turns out, Ayra Starr sampled Mary J. Blige and Wyclef Jean’s iconic early-2000s heartbreak anthem “911”—and somehow flipped it into a smooth, sultry demand for love, respect, and whatever version of emotional security comes with soft lighting and Wizkid on speed dial.
Yes. She ate.
The track is the latest from Ayra, the genre-jumping Nigerian pop star and actual Grammy nominee who’s been feeding us consistently. On a new episode of Genius’ Verified, she takes us behind the song—and the sample—and lets us into her creative process. Spoiler: it involves moving past her comfort zone, leaning into vulnerability, and trusting divine alignment (and honestly? Same).
Ayra calls “Gimme Dat” a love song, but not in the red-roses-and-picnic way. It’s more “I love you, but I also love myself, so act accordingly.” The lyrics speak to a yearning for connection—one that’s deep, safe, loyal, and a little bit sexy. Delivered in Ayra’s signature breezy-yet-bossy tone, it feels less like a request and more like a manifesto. (We will be using “gimme dat love” as an affirmation.)
And yes, Wizkid is on the track—marking another link-up post-2 Sugar, aka their last hit that made us want to stare at someone across a candlelit room. Honestly, these two could sing the alphabet and we’d still be playing it on repeat.
The episode also sees Ayra explaining some of the lyrical Easter eggs and even the thought behind her choreography in the video. Yes, that shoulder move does mean something. Yes, her fans (us included) are eating it all up.
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