Lagos has long been Nigeria’s unrivaled party capital. Still, when Keinemusik’s Rampa was announced as the headliner for an exclusive Afrohouse rave, the city’s electronic music faithfuls braced for something different. This wasn’t just another rave night — it was a statement. Produced by M.E Entertainment, a new player in Nigeria’s event space, the rave promised a fusion of global house finesse and Lagos’s homegrown energy.  

But ambition comes with friction. From the jump, the strict ticketing system set the tone: press who arrived after the event’s start time reported hurdles at the door – somewhat understandable when you count the fact that they were advised to come as early as the opening sets so their passes would be sorted first. Meanwhile, the lineup – a mix of international allure and local heavyweights like Aniko, Blak Dave, TXC, JarLight, and more – had fans debating whether the best of Lagos’ talent was given the spotlight they deserved.  

By the time the night peaked, it was clear this event would be remembered for more than just the music. Between Burna Boy and Olamide’s surprise appearances, a celebrity security scuffle, and Rampa’s hypnotic command of the CDJ-3000, the rave became a microcosm of Lagos itself: rousing, chaotic, and impossible to ignore.  

The Velvet Rope Experience

If there was ever any doubt that Lagos’ nightlife thrives on exclusivity, this event erased it. The ticket prices were well above the city’s usual rave standards, so consequently, the crowd was a mix of high-net-worth partygoers and die-hard Afrohouse fans willing to splurge. The Royal Box Event Centre, a relatively new venue in the city’s entertainment circuit, did a good job of justifying its percentage of the ticket prices — it was spacious and air-conditioned, well-rigged for electronic music lighting, and fitted with a sound system that delivered every kick and synth swell with precision.  

But the real spectacle was the guest list. Burna Boy arrived mid-show, slipping on stage while Rampa spun his hit “Say What.” Olamide, Naomi Campbell, and London soon joined him amidst all the pomp, and before long, the rest of Lagos music and music business royalty were on stage, drinks in hand, partying with Rampa and the rest of the DJ lineup. 

The crowd’s energy surged each time a new celebrity was spotted, but so did the tension. At one point, a scuffle broke out between security details of two high-profile attendees, a brief but jarring disruption that underscored the night’s underlying friction: Was this a rave or a status flex? The heavy police and private security presence, while expected at an event of this caliber, occasionally felt more suited to a political summit than a house music gathering.  

From Start To Finish

The music, for its part, was never in question.  

Blak Dave and Aniko, two of Lagos’ most respected selectors, opened the night with a percussive, groove-heavy warm-up, weaving together Afrohouse, Three-Step, and Melodic House influences. Their sets were masterful, but the early slots meant much of the crowd was still trickling in. Tariq, an attendee, would later wonder – why wasn’t either given peak hours? Lagos knows and loves these DJs, and their relegation to the opening acts felt like a missed opportunity.  

The energy shifted when TXC, the South African female DJ duo, took over. Famous for their electric set at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, their performance this past Sunday was no different. Their set did a great job of blending tribal rhythms with contemporary Afrohouse bangers. By the time Remixia, Massuma, and Daecolm cycled through, the dance floor was a notably diverse sea of swaying bodies in small nuclear clusters, sweat glistening under the venue’s laser-cut lighting.  

Then came Rampa. The Keinemusik co-founder stepped up just past midnight, and from the first drop, “Thandaza,” a collaborative gem with &Me and Adam Port, he had the crowd in a trance. His set was a journey, ebbing between deep, meditative grooves and explosive peaks. At one point, Burna Boy and Olamide joined him on stage, grinning as the crowd roared. For all the celebrity distractions, this was the night’s purest moment: a global house icon and Nigeria’s biggest stars, in rhythmic consonance.

There was yet another surprise at the end. JarLight, tasked with closing, refused to let the night die. At 5:03 AM, with the sun threatening to rise, he abruptly spun his set to an end, which in turn made the residual crowd persistently request one more song. When he finally relented, dropping a final, unreleased ID, the exhaustion was palpable — but so was the euphoria.  

Venue & Production – A New Standard for Lagos?  

In a city where even high-end venues often struggle with sound bleed, poor ventilation, or overcrowding, Royal Box Event Centre delivered. The acoustics were crisp, the lighting was immersive without being overwhelming (as depicted in the tidbits of social media posts that have been pouring in), and the layout was spacious yet intimate, allowing free movement without killing the vibe.  

Behind the scenes, M.E Entertainment, despite being first-timers, executed a largely seamless production. There were some hiccups – overzealous security, press access issues, and perhaps a reliance on star power to carry the night. But for a debut event, the ambition was admirable. Lagos’ nightlife scene is notoriously unforgiving, and M.E proved they could play in the big leagues

Celebration or Controversy?  

In the days following the event, social media buzzed with polarised takes. Plenty hailed the rave as a watershed moment for Afrohouse in Nigeria, proof that Lagos could host world-class electronic music events. A rather conspicuous few critiqued its VIP-heavy atmosphere, arguing that the essence of a rave – community, freedom, and a music-first ethos – was diluted by celebrity spectacle.  

The scheduling of local DJs also sparked some murmurs. Should Aniko and Blak Dave have been given prime slots, or was their role as openers a strategic choice to ease the crowd into the night? And while Rampa’s set was transcendent, did the high ticket prices justify the experience for those who came purely for the music?  

A Night of Extremes, and You Know What? Fair.

This rave was a collision of contrasts. On one hand, there was Rampa’s flawless set, JarLight’s unforgettable close, and a venue that raised the bar – and on the other, exclusivity overkill and a nagging sense that Lagos’ homegrown talent deserved more shine. But maybe that’s the point. Lagos is a city of extremes, and its nightlife reflects that. This event was a cultural snapshot, capturing the city’s relentless ambition, contradictions, and undying love for music that moves the body and soul.