In an exuberant celebration of Afrobeats, Spotify recently held a series of events in Lagos, Nigeria, to commemorate the genre’s monumental success.
The two-day celebration took place from October 12 to 13, featuring a mix of music executives, media personalities, influencers, podcasters, and music enthusiasts.
The events, named #SpotifyPodcastsLagos and #SpotifyAfrobeats, were held at La Madison Place in Lekki, Lagos, and aimed to showcase and honor the rich culture and achievements of Afrobeats over the years.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed the company’s dedication to connecting people with the music they love and their commitment to the growth of the music ecosystem in Nigeria and Africa.
The celebration commenced with a masterclass session hosted by Ncebakazi Manzi, Spotify’s Podcast Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
This session provided a platform for podcast enthusiasts to explore storytelling, innovative techniques, and insights, highlighting Spotify’s commitment to empowering podcast creators.
Following the masterclass, a fireside chat was facilitated by Gwenevier Ehimen Lem from the Association of African Podcasters and Voiceover Artists (APVA).
The panel included industry experts such as 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.
The audience also enjoyed live podcast recordings with acclaimed Nigerian content creators, including 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 discussed various topics, ranging from Afrobeats’ success to Spotify’s contributions to the music ecosystem.
The “I Said What I Said” live show featured artists Nissi and Pheelz, followed by a live Q&A session, concluding with an electrifying performance by Pheelz.
On the second day of the celebration, Afrobeats fans gathered for an exciting evening of music and dance. DJ Tohbad kept the energy high with a playlist of popular songs by Nigerian musicians.
The crowd enjoyed performances from both rising and well-known Nigerian artists, including Bloody Civilian, FAVE, Shallipopi, Sarz, and Ruger, creating an electric atmosphere that celebrated the vibrancy of Afrobeats.