Skepta’s Homecoming was the return the people deserved
No VIP when it's BBK
One way ticket
— Big Smoke – (@Skepta) December 20, 2017
When Skepta tweeted that he’d bought a one-way ticket to Nigeria at the beginning of December with no return date to the UK, a lot of people thought he was joking. But the rapper had that and more planned. After initially announcing a homecoming concert during his surprise set at NATIVELAND ’17, Skepta pulled the plug on the idea, altogether opting for an intimate evening with fans instead at the African Artists Foundation space in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Amongst the performers of the night, Not3s took the stage to perform his second show ever in Lagos, fresh off his debut at The Land II. While supporting performances from newcomer Santi and DJ Obi kept the rest of the night active. The defining moment was his performance with Wizkid, re-igniting their bromance, dating back to that Drake alley hoop with Skeppy and Wizkid on “Ojuelegba”. Wizkid’s presence was particularly special because of the Starboy’s year, touring the rest of the world. To see him in such an intimate setting was a rare sight, and he seemed to enjoy it as much as the crowd did.
Skepta’s relationship with Nigeria has been wholly organic, and more-so than anything, this is what endears him to the people. Amidst the ongoing “Africa To The World” movement, and diaspora artists seemingly getting more in touch with their homegrown roots, it’s refreshing to see a relationship so natural. Fresh off Konnichiwa, his award-winning seminal album, it was asked everywhere “What next for Skepta?”. Sometimes you have to go home to truly find yourself again.
A homecoming concert for a man like Skepta would have been expected to usher in big-budget marketing and perhaps expensive fees for the gate, but that night, Skepta seemed most satisfied about being amongst friends and family: who needs VIP seats when the star of the night is literally performing at an arm’s length from you?
Catch some more glimpse of Skepta’s Homecoming below.
How surprise performances made NATIVELAND ’17 our most memorable one yet
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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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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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.
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Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
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