Nollywood actor Francis Odega has shared details of his collaboration with Afrobeats star Olamide and how his popular catchphrase “Gerara here” gained widespread attention.
Speaking on the Where Is The Lie Podcast, the 56-year-old comic actor revealed that Olamide contacted him before using the phrase in a song featuring Lil Kesh.
Odega disclosed that he granted the singer permission to use his voice and signature lines in the track and added that he was well compensated for the collaboration.
According to him, the popularity of the phrase later brought him endorsements and international recognition.
“Olamide called me and paid me in dollars for him to use my voice and lines ‘Gerara here’ and ‘You don’t know nothing’ in Lil Kesh’s song,” he said.
He explained that he was in South Africa at the time and gave permission for the lines to be used in the recording.
“They asked if they could lift my voice and I said yes. When ‘Gerara here’ started trending, many people reached out to me,” he added.
Odega stated that the viral moment attracted attention from several celebrities, including American rappers Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent, who reposted the clip online.
The actor noted that the exposure also opened doors to several endorsement deals, including a three-year ambassadorial role with telecommunications company Etisalat, as well as advertising projects in South Africa for DStv.