Simi’s song Duduke has been certified Gold in New Zealand. This is the first official foreign certification in Simi’s career and a milestone that highlights how intimate songs can build global momentum over time.
A milestone and what it means
Gold certification in New Zealand is awarded at 15,000 points under the Recorded Music NZ framework. Those points are calculated from paid sales and stream equivalents. For an artist whose primary market is outside f these shores, reaching Gold is tangible proof that listeners far from home have embraced the song.
How a lullaby became a global moment
Duduke was released in April 2020 as a gentle and tender song that blends Afropop and RnB textures with a focus on love and parenthood. The track and its music video, which revealed Simi’s pregnancy, struck a chord because the song felt both personal and universal. The Duduke Challenge and other fan driven moments on social platforms kept the song in circulation and helped it accumulate streams steadily over time.
Fans have celebrated across social feeds and music trackers. Industry observers have used the milestone to note the continuous expansion of Afro influenced music into diverse markets. For many listeners this is a moment to revisit Simi’s catalogue and to appreciate the songwriting craft that made Duduke resonate.
Looking ahead
The Gold certification could lead to renewed playlisting, sync opportunities and fresh media attention. It also raises the possibility of Duduke continuing its climb toward Platinum. For Simi the recognition reinforces that a song rooted in sincerity can travel and persist in ways that might not have been obvious at the time of release.