This past weekend, we flew down to Lagos, Nigeria, to witness Spotify‘s Afrobeats Celebration. The celebration, a culmination of Spotify’s commitment to the Afrobeats genre, was an electrifying blend of music, culture, and community.
The celebration kicked off on Thursday, the 12th of October, and continued through Friday, the 13th of October. The venue, La Madison Place in Lekki, Lagos, was transformed into a haven for all things Afrobeats.
The two-day extravaganza featured a remarkable fusion of celebrities, podcasters, influencers, music executives, media personalities, and music enthusiasts.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, set the stage with a powerful message about Spotify’s mission: connecting people with the music they love. The celebrations began with a masterclass session, hosted by Ncebakazi Manzi, Spotify’s Podcast Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa. The session was an interactive platform for podcast enthusiasts, delving deep into the art of storytelling and the power of podcasts.
The engaging atmosphere continued with a fireside chat moderated by Gwenevier Ehimen Lem from the Association of African Podcasters and Voiceover Artists (APVA). A panel of industry experts, including Tony Doe from Into The Podverse, Ayomide Tayo from Loose Talk, Dami Aros from So Nigerian, and Fay Fay, the founder of Naija Podhub, shared their insights and experiences.
Live podcast recordings further captivated the audience, featuring acclaimed Nigerian content creators Jola Ayeye and Feyikem Abudu from “I Said What I Said,” and Joey Akan from “Afrobeats Intelligence.” A conversation with Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for West Africa, delved into the success of Afrobeats and Spotify’s contributions to the music ecosystem.
Day two brought an electrifying atmosphere to the celebration. DJ Tohbad set the stage with a musical journey through chart-topping tracks by Nigerian artists. The night continued with unforgettable performances by emerging and established artists. Bloody Civilian, FAVE, Shallipopi, Sarz, and Ruger all took to the stage, leaving the audience enchanted.
The venue featured Spotify’s brand image through warm lighting and mesmerizing visual projections, immersing attendees in the Afrobeats genre’s rich history. Experiential booths recreated the Afrobeats microsite, providing a deeper understanding of the genre.
Spotify’s Afrobeats Celebration was more than just a music event; it was a celebration of culture, diversity, and the unifying power of music. With over 15 billion streams and counting, Spotify continues to shape the future of the music industry. This incredible journey has just begun, and we eagerly anticipate where it will lead next.
Share your thoughts on this article and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
