Kcee, Omawumi, Timaya, and Timi Dakolo are scheduled to play at the inaugural ‘Naija To The World’ concert in New York.
Buckwyld Media Network and BHM collaborated on a live event last month to explore the culture and creativity of Nigeria, the birthplace of Nollywood and Afrobeats.
In a joint statement on Thursday, Efe Omorogbe, CEO of Buckwyld Media Network, and Ayeni Adekunle, founder of BHM, said the cultural endeavor aims to provide an alternative narrative to “the stories out there about Nigeria and Nigerians.”
According to the release, the event will take place on September 16, 2023, in New York City’s renowned Apollo Theatre.
The concert will witness the presence of musicians from the Niger Delta, including Timi Dakolo, Omawumi, Timaya, KCee and the dance group Seki Dance Drama.
“Over the last five years, mainstream music coming out of Nigeria has gained wider recognition and celebration globally,” the statement reads.
“The world knows the music, but perhaps not the story of musicians from one of the country’s most conflicted regions.
“Rich in oil but faced with daunting challenges to achieve shared prosperity for its people, Nigeria’s Niger Delta continues to produce some of the world’s finest musicians today.”
Speaking of the concert, Adekunle said he believes the “world has a lot more to learn from the Nigerian culture”.
“It’s a great time to cast a beam on the stories that make Nigerian creative talents unique and we couldn’t be more excited about the lineup of stars that will grace the concert at the Apollo,” he said.
“From the journeys of these creative talents in a peculiar region like the Niger Delta, we believe that the world has a lot more to learn from the Nigerian culture beyond just marvelling at the beautiful sound of our music. There is a lot more to look forward to with Naija To The World but this is a great place to start.”
On his part, Omorogbe said: “This exhibition will serve as a testament to the incredible reservoir of artistic brilliance present in the Niger Delta region. With this edition, our goal is to celebrate the cultural and creative richness of the region and contribute to its continued influence on the world stage.”
The concert is projected to draw at least 10 million people through pop-up events, talent performances, and a series of community events in America’s historic African communities.
It is also expected that 1,500 fans will see history and watch live at the Apollo, with at least 10 million more listening and watching via broadcast partners in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
