Spotify has been actively engaged in elevating the significance and accomplishments of the Afrobeats genre since its launch in Africa. The momentous introduction of the “Afrobeats: Journey of a Billion Streams” site, designed to celebrate the genre’s milestones, culminated in captivating events that captivated not only music enthusiasts but also anyone fortunate enough to be part of the Afrobeats journey.
On October 12 and 13, Spotify gathered an array of celebrities, podcasters, influencers, music executives, media personalities, and music enthusiasts for two immersive events under the banners of #SpotifyPodcastsLagos and #SpotifyAfrobeats.
Spotify’s dedication to connecting people with the music they adore lies at the core of all we do. We are thrilled to continue celebrating Afrobeats’ milestones and reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the music ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed.
The two-day festivities commenced with a masterclass session led by Ncebakazi Manzi, Spotify’s Podcast Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa. This session provided an engaging platform for podcast enthusiasts, delving into the art of storytelling, exploring innovative techniques and insights, and underlining Spotify’s support for podcast creators. Following the session, a fireside chat, moderated by Gwenevier Ehimen Lem from the Association of African Podcasters and Voiceover Artists (APVA), featured a panel of industry experts, including Tony Doe from “Into The Podverse” and “Tony Doe Media,” Ayomide Tayo from “Loose Talk,” Dami Aros from “So Nigerian,” and Fay Fay, the founder of “Naija Podhub.”
Attendees were then treated to captivating and thought-provoking live podcast recordings featuring acclaimed Nigerian content creators Jola Ayeye and Feyikem Abudu from “I Said What I Said,” and Joey Akan from “Afrobeats Intelligence.” In a conversation with Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for West Africa, Joey Akan delved into a range of topics, spanning from the success of Afrobeats and playlisting strategies to Spotify’s contributions to the music ecosystem. The “I Said What I Said” live show featured artists Nissi and Pheelz and culminated in a lively Q&A session. The event concluded with an exhilarating performance by Pheelz.
On Day 2, the celebration commenced with an electrifying atmosphere and performances that drew a large crowd of Afrobeats enthusiasts eager to revel in the night’s festivities. The dance floor pulsated with energy, and DJ Tohbad skillfully set the stage with a continuous stream of chart-topping tracks by Nigerian artists.
The evening seamlessly transitioned into live performances by some of Nigeria’s most talented emerging and established artists. Bloody Civilian, a Spotify RADAR Africa artist, had guests singing along to her hit songs, including “I Don’t Like You,” making the event unforgettable. FAVE, a Spotify EQUAL artist, captivated the crowd with hits like “Baby Riddim,” “Beautifully,” and “Mr Man,” leaving the audience craving more.
Rising Nigerian Street Pop singer Shallipopi set the stage ablaze, delivering crowd-pleasing hits, including “Sharpiru,” “Ex-Convict,” and “Elon Musk.” Sarz, the DJ, producer, and mixing engineer extraordinaire, had the audience grooving to a mix of chill music and party anthems, elevating the night’s vibe. Ruger, the sensational Nigerian Afrodancehall singer, closed the night, igniting the audience with his hit songs and unique style.
