B Side, Music
Spotify Hosts Fans, Artists, DJs, and Influencers in Celebration of Afrobeats
With every event, Spotify continues to raise the bar and we’re ready for what comes next.
- Melony Akpoghene
- ●16th October 2023
When Spotify decides to throw a party, you know you’re in for a night of immense fun. On October 13th, the music streaming giant organized a party held at La Madison Place, Lekki, Lagos, to celebrate over 13 billion streams of Afrobeats on Spotify.
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The first thing that hit me as I walked into the venue was the sheer scale of it all. Spotify went all out to create an immersive experience. There were various booths.
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Among them, the “Women of Afrobeats” booth stood out to me as a tribute to the African women who have contributed significantly to Afrobeats. It was like a visual shout-out to these tremendously talented women who’ve made their mark in the genre.
Lagos thank you for celebrating 15,3+ Billion Streams with us! 🥳💚👏🏾#SpotifyAfrobeats#JourneyOfABillionStreams
📷: @Insignaonline pic.twitter.com/spE17U42qZ
— Spotify Africa (@SpotifyAfrica) October 15, 2023
The backdrop featured artists like Tiwa Savage, Tems, Amaraae, Ayra Starr. Of course, the night was just getting started. Things kicked things off with a silent disco. Guests were given wireless headphones that allowed a switch from Ghana highlife to Fuji. It was a good move to get people into the mood for what was to come.
The main event took off and first on the decks was DJ Tohbad who started off the crowd well. He was on fire, no doubt about it. He knew his beats and had everyone dancing. Transitioning from one hit to another, even throwback Naija jams, he did his part at elevating the vibe and keeping the dance floor buzzing.
One of the hosts for the night, M.I.A, came on stage with her wild energy. Her excitement was super contagious. As she engaged with the crowd, she had everyone really hyped up and ready for the night’s festivities. However, if the energy in the building wasn’t palpable enough, when EDM DJ duo, Maze and Mxtreme, began their set, the energy was intensified and even taken to a completely different level.
The highlight of the night were the killer live performances lined up. Bloody Civilian did a great job. She brought raw passion to the stage, leaving a lasting impression. I almost lost my mind when she performed her hit record, “I Don’t Like You.” Fave’s performance was so fun. Her voice contrasted perfectly with the pulsating rhythms of her Afrobeats’ jams. She performed an unreleased song and I can’t wait for it to be out. Shallipopi came on stage and sent us all into a frenzy.
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He performed his new singles — “Oscroh” and “Things On Things” — which he dropped just that day and the audience already knew the lyrics! Sarz took over with an air of confidence, ready to deliver an unforgettable set. And that he did.
Ruger’s performance was the climax of the night. This artist is on the rise, and for good reason. With his great stage presence and fan-favourite tracks, he had the audience amped. As a Ruger fan who came early to the event, Spotify gifted me a pack with cool Ruger merch including an eye patch.
More importantly, Spotify made sure we weren’t going hungry or thirsty. On the matter of foods and drinks, it didn’t skimp on that front. It had a whole range of mocktails, cocktails and champagne, finger foods, and yes, even jollof rice.
The event succeeded in bringing together people to celebrate the genre that has transcended borders. With the rise of Afrobeats sweeping across the globe, the listeners and lovers of this genre have become the storytellers of its impact.
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Spotify’s Afrobeats celebration offered an occasion for these enthusiasts to reaffirm their passion and dedication to the melodies, the spirited beats, and the intangible quality of the genre.
With every event, Spotify continues to raise the bar and we’re ready for what comes next.
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