8 moments from Nativeland 18′ worth a lifetime
See you at the next NATIVELAND
Since debuting in 2016, NATIVELAND has always brought the cultural melting pot slogan of Lagos to life with a diverse range of performing acts at the music festival. 2018 was no exception. Asides creating one-of-a-kind musical moments, NATIVELAND also takes on bigger significance for all parties involved. For NATIVE, it’s a celebration of the brand’s growth from a small indie magazine to an influential multimedia brand while the featured artists rip the reward for building their enthusiastic fan-base through tours and hit-records. With all the brands working hard to look good in the festive spotlight, fans were guaranteed a good night. Here are some of our favourite moments from NATIVELAND’18.
Two Stages, One Epic Music Festival:
Two stages were set up for NATIVELAND’ 18 to ensure fans got the full music festival experience. Before the Muri Okunola venue got packed with nearly 5,000 fans, the Pepsi-sponsored stage featured artists like SV and Mars and Barzini who performed on the new stage with a more intimate crowd and live band on stage. But as the night went on, the crowd soon grew too big for the small stage and artists who have grown in popularity were able to put their vocal training and energy to good use on the main stage.
Able God Drop:
NATIVELAND DJs provided the backing tracks for performing acts and rode the groove, making sure there was no dull moment between each set. But asides keeping up the party ambiance through the night, his unlikely mixing of jams from around the world helped showcase the diversity of the NATIVELAND crowd when he cued Chinko Ekun’s “Able God” and the crowd went ecstatic. It was a rare opportunity to see the many variations of Zanku legwork done simultaneously by the largest music festival crowd of 2018
Mo Bamba Rage:
While the DJ’s music selection deserves the credit for the hyped crowd at NATIVELAND’18, the ragers in the crowd were the unsung heroes. Their enthusiastic performance rivalled anyone on the stage that night and they made sure they had their moment in the spotlight when the crucial rite of passage rage anthem, Shek Wes’ “Mo Bamba” played. See the video of an energetic crowd raging to the 2018 smash hit here:
another insane moment for the books @sheckwes
#NATIVELAND2018 #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/qWJBR18bfW
— The NATIVE (@NativeMag) December 29, 2018
The Return of Skepta:
It’s another NATIVELAND and another ravishing Skepta performance. Part of the highlight of 2018 is Skepta’s growth, releasing hit songs and features that cemented his rightful place in the hearts of music lovers in Nigeria. He made sure the NATIVELAND crowd who first brought him back home in 2016 were on his 2018 wishlist yet again as he thrilled fans to “Pure Water” and Wizkid assisted “Bad Energy”. Though he got the love and cheers expected of an international act of his calibre the crowd seemed ready to be raptured when he brought Wizkid on the NATIVELAND stage for a surprise performance of their joint hit.
Wizkid Anointing Fans:
the moment that sealed the night
— The NATIVE (@NativeMag) December 29, 2018
You’d excuse Wizkid for thinking fans were thirsty and anointing them with water if you heard how loudly they screamed when he took the stage. It’s still unclear where the water sprinkling stunt originated from but it sure as hell gets the crowd excited and looks epic on camera. His energetic performance of “Bad Energy” elevated the night and gave new life to his “Bad Energy Stay Far Away” lyrics in light of the spiritual shows.
Santi’s “Rapid Fire” Rage:
The music video for Santi’s “Rapid Fire” featured a moment of rage with his friends in all white tank tops. Since it’s release, fans have had their private rage moments in the comfort of their rooms and occasionally behind the steering wheel in Lagos traffic. NATIVELAND provided a safe space for all friends and fans of the artists to communally rage to one of the best songs to come out of Nigeria last year. The performance and riveting crowd reaction establish Santi’s growth as an indie artist to more mainstream acclaim as everyone from the backstage, front-stage and even the VIP section got on their feet to chant along to the barely intelligible lyric.
D’Banj’s Surprise Appearance:
NATIVELAND’s tradition of unveiling a secret guest act took a surprising turn when former G.O.O.D music artist, importer/exporter, Koko Master and award winning artist, D’Banj climbed on the stage. Fans had expected the more predictable Burna Boy appearance but Burna Boy had taken ill after his own concert held some days before. Though Burna’s presence was missed, D’Banj’s elite level stagecraft quickly captivated the crowd as they sang along to gems from his stacked discography.
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu
ICYMI: Watch the video for DJ Neptune and Maleek Berry’s “My World” here
Fanti Carnival Returns to Lagos This Easter with a Vibrant Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Culture
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the streets of Lagos Island alive with colour, music, and culture. With roots dating back to 1890, the Lagos Fanti Carnival is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrating the deep ties between Nigeria and Brazil through a dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian heritage and modern creativity.
This year’s edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos. Together, they aim to honour the legacy of the Afro-Brazilian community in Lagos — descendants of formerly enslaved returnees who shaped the city’s culture, religion, and architecture.
The carnival procession will kick off at 12:00 PM, starting from Old Defence Road and will end at the JK Randle Centre, with accreditation beginning at 10:00 AM. Attendees can expect a stunning showcase of traditional costumes, Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, and performances from local creatives reinterpreting heritage for a new generation.
Whether you’re drawn to the dazzling pageantry, the live performances, or the chance to connect with a rich cultural history, the Fanti Carnival is an unmissable event this Easter.
Tickets are now available, and more information can be found via the official Fanti Carnival website or their social platforms.
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A celebration of creativity and cultural
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanying music video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
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Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
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