Lagos, Nigeria: Spotify has brought the heartbeat of African music to life in Lagos with its immersive pop-up experience, Greasy Tunes Café, spotlighting the continent’s rich cultural heritage and global influence.
Phiona Okumu, Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa at Spotify, issued a statement on Monday in Lagos, highlighting the importance of cultural heritage in shaping modern African sound through a pop-up.
Okumu outlined a vision of growth for African music that stresses both global expansion and in-depth respect for tradition, as genres like Amapiano and Afrobeats continue to surge in popularity.
She noted that the strength of African sound lies in its authenticity.
“The world knows African music is having a global moment, but to genuinely grasp its explosive power, one must look closely at its roots.
“This vital connection between deep-seated heritage and the sounds of tomorrow proved the defining story of the inaugural week at the Greasy Tunes Café.
“The week anchored itself entirely on this premise: the legacy and evolution of African Sound, demonstrating how the continent’s sound shapers are intentionally weaving history into the contemporary fabric of global music.
“What unfolded was a masterclass in cultural cohesion, uniting ancestral spiritualism with digital-age production to showcase the music’s foundation and spectacular future,” she said.
According to her, one of the major highlights was a fireside chat titled “The Evolving Sounds of African Music”, moderated by Spotify Senior Editor Benewah Boateng.
She said Nigerian producers Andre Vibes and Braye, alongside Brazilian artiste Melly, discussed the fusion of traditional and modern sounds.
She said that Vibes noted that percussion remained the universal element defining Afrobeats.
“Cultural heritage was also portrayed with a performance by the Eyo masquerade, connecting Lagos’s rich traditions with contemporary expressions.
“This brought light to another panel, ‘Cultural Symbolism and African Music’, featuring DJ Spinall and rapper Vector, moderated by Jide Taiwo. The speakers emphasised that African music cannot be separated from its cultural roots.”
“Another highlight was RADAR Presents: FOLA – catharsis Love, where Nigerian artist FOLA delivered an emotional performance that reflected the urban Lagos experience.
“His act underscored the role of music as a means of storytelling and communal healing,” Okumu said.
According to her, Spotify’s pop-up not only celebrates African creativity but also reinforces the message that the continent’s music derives its global power from the preservation of its cultural lineage.