A few more days left to wrap up the year 2019 and we cannot just let it slide just like that without putting a spotlight on those Nigerian artists who have continue to contribute greatly in making Afrobeat gaining more traction around the world. Basically we talking about 4 Nigerian acts whose songs are kind of resonating with the American and European audience at the international festivals so far in 2019. Remember Nigerian Afrobeat made significant history around the world as it debuted at Coachella this year. Coachella is one of the largest, most famous and most prestigious festivals in the world.
Coachella is a multi-genre music festival that brings all genres to a live performance: Rock, pop, indie, hip-hop, electronic dance music. Coachella usually holds at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. This year, it started in April 12-14 and ended April 19-21, 2019). Turnout is usually huge as fans and music lovers all over the world come out enmass to watch their favorite acts perform at the biggest international music festival.
There are a number of other highly recognized international festivals such as: London Boiler Room TV festival….Looking at some Nigerian artists whose music were played or artists who performed at the international festivals this year so far, notjustok.com West Africa, towards the end of August (27th) compiled a list of all Nigerian artists who have rocked the stage live at global concerts and festivals this year. So, today we focus on those artists you may not have noticed had their music rock the stage along with the Audience just like the mainstream this year so far:
No 4: Lady Donli: Cash. The 23year old Alte Queen Zainab Donli whose stage name Lady Donli has been doing very impressive for herself. Lady Donly who called her music style Pan African Rock star performed at La Isla Social Club in château de Labourdonnais (Mauritius in East Africa) and it was a vibe as well. She has performed in many countries already and even headlined her own show in Toronto sometime ago.
No 3: Rema – Lady (hit single off his new EPP which he dropped in October) – London Boiler Room TV Festival in October 2019. Rema debuted his first ever UK performance at the London Boiler Room TV Festival in October 2019. Rema was signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin records earlier this year and the 19 year old’s growth in the music industry is happening at a very fast pace considering the fact that that he just came into the Nigerian music industry just about in less than 1 year. One of his hit songs performed here…..
No 2: DJ Spinal – Edi Feat. Reminisce (song was released in September 2019). Glastonbury Festival in England in May & The Ends” festival from May to June 2019. DJ Spinall performed at the Glastonbury Festival in England in May & The Ends” festival along with Wizkid from the 31st of May to the 2nd of June 2019. He was announced to be the first Nigerian with a DJ set at the international festival in June 26-30th 2019 at the Worthy Farm in England. He shared the stage with others on the festival’s bill like: Stormzy, Billie Ellish, Jorja Smith, Tame Impala, Janet Jackson, Lizzo, Janelle Monae, Hozier, Stefflon Don, Little Simz, Fatoumata Diawara etc.
Apparently Burna is the big thing happening this year among other names who are already quite big on the international music scene. Burna Boy has been over referenced this year talking top notch music events involving both local #and the international festivals and awards
No 1: Teni Entertainer – Billionaire. Since Teni stormed the music industry in 2016, , she has proven to be an unstoppable force. It was exciting to see her shut down the stage at The Ends festival this year as well.
Earlier in February this year, she was reported to be preparing to perform in London and South Africa. Teni’s career kicked off after the release of her single, Fargin, 2017. Teni has been tagged, ‘Nigerian Missy Elliot’ by music lovers due to her tomboy kind of outfit. She came out in 2016, but had her said hit single Fargin released in 2017, under Dr. Dolor Entertainment label
Music festivals have grown into a major moneymaker in a competitive industry that sees hundreds of such events each year in the U.S and we can now say confidently that our own acts are functioning within the same space as other international acts.
