The recent debut of the Afrobeats: Journey of a Billion Streams platform commemorating the monumental success of the genre culminated in a series of engaging events that captured the attention of not only music enthusiasts but also anyone fortunate enough to partake in the vibrant Afrobeats journey.
From 12 to 13 of October, Spotify brought together celebrities, podcasters, influencers, music executives, media personalities and music fans at two experiential events dubbed #SpotifyPodcastsLagos and #SpotifyAfrobeats. The events held at La Madison Place in Lekki, Lagos, showcased and celebrated the rich culture of Afrobeats and the achievements of the genre through the years.
Speaking at the Afrobeats Celebration, Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “Spotify’s commitment to connecting people with the music they love is at the heart of everything we do. We’re thrilled to continue celebrating Afrobeats’ milestones and reinforce our commitment to the growth of the music ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa.”
The two-day celebrations began with a masterclass session featuring Ncebakazi Manzi, the Podcast Manager for Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa. The session provided an engaging platform for podcast enthusiasts, exploring the craft of storytelling, innovative techniques and insights, and illustrating Spotify’s commitment to empowering podcast creators.
Following the session, there was a fireside chat facilitated by Gwenevier Ehimen Lem from Association of African Podcasters and Voiceover Artists (APVA), featuring 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 later treated to captivating and thought-provoking live podcast recordings, featuring highly 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 guests were artists, Nissi and Pheelz, followed by a live Q&A session. The event ended with an exhilarating performance from Pheelz.
The second day of the Celebration began with a lively crowd of Afrobeats fans excited to partake in the evening’s events. The dance floor buzzed with movement and DJ Tohbad kept the energy high with a steady stream of popular songs by Nigerian musicians.
Read also: Rema wins inaugural Afrobeats awards at MTV VMA’s
As the evening turned into night, performances from rising and well-known Nigerian artists took the stage. Bloody Civilian, a Spotify RADAR Africa artist, performed her popular songs such as I Don’t Like You, which had the crowd singing along and made the event memorable. Following her was FAVE, a Spotify EQUAL artist, who captivated the audience with her songs Baby Riddim, Beautifully and Mr Man, leaving them wanting more.
Shallipopi, a rising Nigerian Street Pop artist, energized the crowd with popular tracks such as “Sharpiru,” “Ex-Convict,” and “Elon Musk.” Accompanied by Sarz, a skilled DJ and producer, the night featured a mix of laid-back tunes and upbeat tracks, creating an electric atmosphere. Ruger, a notable Nigerian Afrodancehall singer, concluded the event with a captivating performance, starting with some of his well-known songs that ignited the audience’s enthusiasm.
The venue’s soft, inviting lighting complemented Spotify’s brand theme, while the stage incorporated captivating visual displays showcasing the intricacies of the Afrobeats genre. The interactive booths were designed to mirror the Afrobeats microsite, enabling attendees to immerse themselves in the history of the music style.
Spotify’s Afrobeats Celebration was not just a music event, it was a celebration of culture, diversity and the power of music to unite people. With 15 billion streams and counting, Spotify continues to shape the future of the music industry.
