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    Spotify celebrates 10 years of Amapiano

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    Spotify celebrates 10 years of Amapiano

    Music streaming giant, Spotify is celebrating 10 years of the South African music genre and dance, Amapiano. Amapiano is a Zulu word loosely translated to “the pianos”, is a subgenre of kwaito and house music that emerged in South Africa in the mid-2010s. It is a hybrid of deep house, jazz, and lounge music characterized by synths and wide, percussive basslines

    The streamer in a statement said that Amapiano’s influence on the music culture in South Africa, and beyond has seen the world gripped in a frenzy from dance challenges to inspired collaborations and fusions. The international phenomenon is reflected in Nigeria, where Amapiano listenership increased by 181% between 2023 and 2024. In 2020, the genre hit its first 100 million streams, followed by an impressive 300 million streams in 2021, further solidifying its rising popularity.

    Spotify further explains the influence over the past 10 years that led to the launch of ‘A Decade of Amapiano’ – a website dedicated to teaching all about the genre and providing the platform for showcasing podcasts and songs.

    Nigerian songs like Unavailable by Davido, Amapiano by Asake, and Level by Niniola are examples of songs in the amapiano genre that have become hits in the past year. According to Phiona OkuDecade mu, Spotify’s Head of Music in Sub-Saharan Africa, “One of the most affirming parts of watching Amapiano explode over the past decade is seeing how people use it for self-expression,’’

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    Festivals

    Sanwo-Olu hails Isimi Lagos festival as catalyst for tourism and youth development

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    Isimi Lagos Festival tourism Lagos

    Governor Sanwo-Olu hails Isimi Lagos Festival as a milestone for eco-tourism, boosting investments, job creation, and Lagos’ creative economy.

     

     

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to advancing tourism and the creative industry.

    Speaking at the inaugural Isimi Lagos Festival over the weekend, the governor described the event as the dawn of a redefined hospitality and wellness experience in Lagos.

     

    Also read: Culturati Festival 2024: celebrating Africa’s diversity and unity in Lagos

     

    The festival took place at the Isimi Lagos Wellness and Polo Country Estate, located in the serene Epe area. The eco-friendly facility, a trailblazer in sustainable development, boasts over 500,000 trees, renewable energy infrastructure, and attractions such as an outdoor gym, jetty, farm shop, helipad, tech valley, and polo turf.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted Isimi Lagos as a vital project poised to boost tourism, attract foreign and private investments, and create job opportunities for young Nigerians.

    He said:
    “This is the birth of a new, redefined hospitality in Lagos. Isimi Lagos is a testament to the potential of tourism to drive economic growth and youth empowerment.”

    The facility aligns with Lagos State’s vision for a dynamic creative economy, with additional projects in the pipeline, including the Lagos Film City and Lekki Airport, both situated in the same corridor.

    The festival was graced by prominent figures, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege; Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Chief Abiola Dosunmu; and industry leaders.

    The Isimi Lagos project has been in development for over three years. Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the tenacity behind its creation, noting its role in promoting wellness, self-sufficiency, and sustainable living.

    He added:
    “This is not just about tourism but about creating a space where people live in harmony with nature, grow what they eat, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle.”

    Sanwo-Olu underscored the significance of such initiatives for Lagos’ younger population:
    “This project is about the future we envision—an inclusive, creative Lagos where young leaders thrive in a world-class environment.”

    The Isimi Lagos Festival represents a turning point in Lagos’ tourism narrative, demonstrating the state’s commitment to fostering innovation, creativity, and community development.

    With its focus on eco-tourism and sustainable living, Isimi Lagos is set to become a global benchmark for hospitality and wellness destinations.

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    Culture

    Nigeria launches digital museum to preserve cultural heritage

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    Nigeria digital museum cultural heritage

    Nigeria collaborates with IHS Nigeria to launch a digital museum, showcasing cultural heritage globally and promoting sustainable growth.

     

    Nigeria is embracing digital innovation to preserve its cultural heritage through a transformative collaboration between IHS Nigeria, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACTCE).

    This partnership aims to establish a digital museum that showcases Nigeria’s rich historical artifacts, artworks, and cultural monuments globally.

     

    Also read: Culturati Festival 2024: empowering SMEs and boosting Lagos’ economy through culture

     

    The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Digital Culture Initiative led by Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa.

    The museum, the first major project under this initiative, leverages cutting-edge technology to provide virtual access to Nigeria’s cultural treasures.

    It will serve as a vital resource for students, researchers, and enthusiasts worldwide, fostering education, sustainability, and innovation.

     

    Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa emphasised the project’s significance:

    “This collaboration positions Nigeria as a global leader while ensuring the preservation of our cultural legacy. It reflects our commitment to innovation, global partnerships, and sustainable advancement of our creative industries.”

     

    IHS Nigeria, a leader in shared communications infrastructure with operations across 10 countries, brings its expertise to the project. CEO Mohamad Darwish highlighted the partnership’s importance:
    “We aim to create a lasting legacy that bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, fostering education and sustainability.”

    Olugbile Holloway, Director General of NCMM, added:
    “This digital museum will engage younger audiences and adapt to global trends. It ensures our heritage remains accessible while providing a platform for learning and cultural appreciation.”

    The museum will host virtual exhibitions, making Nigeria’s cultural history accessible to a global audience. It marks a bold step in safeguarding national heritage while advancing sustainable growth in the creative sector.

    This initiative not only preserves Nigeria’s past but also enhances its global cultural presence, reinforcing the nation’s leadership in heritage digitisation.

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    Festivals

    Bayelsa emerges winner as NAFEST 2024 celebrates Nigeria’s cultural diversity

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    NAFEST 2024 cultural festival

    Bayelsa State shines at NAFEST 2024 as Nigeria’s premier cultural festival celebrates unity and diversity through vibrant traditions and creativity.

     

    The 36th edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) concluded with a spectacular showcase of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, with Bayelsa State taking the top prize.

    Hosted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the theme “Connected Culture”, the week-long event brought participants and dignitaries from across the nation to celebrate unity through diversity.

    NAFEST 2024 featured a vibrant mix of competitive and non-competitive events, highlighting indigenous traditions, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

    Participants showcased their talents in activities such as Children’s Storytelling, Traditional Board Games like Ayo, Wrestling, Dambe Boxing, Archery, and the crowd-favourite Jollof Wars.

    Musical and dance competitions, including Sing-Off Naija and Dance-Off Naija, added rhythmic energy to the festivities.

    Bayelsa State excelled in Children’s Arts and Crafts and Archery, clinching the overall winner’s title. Ekiti and Lagos States secured second and third positions, respectively, while Nasarawa State earned acclaim in the Jollof Wars and Dance-Off.

    In non-competitive events, the festival presented theatrical brilliance with the premiere of the play “Ibe Ji Mma”, and educational programmes like the Culture Quiz and Essay Writing Competition engaged younger participants.

    The Creative Economy Town Hall and Creative Leap Accelerator Programme (CLAP) nurtured entrepreneurial skills, alongside free training sessions for artisans and creatives.

    NAFEST 2024 also underscored the importance of local materials and craftsmanship through competitions focused on indigenous designs for interior decoration.

    The Arts and Crafts Cultural Market served as a hub for showcasing Nigeria’s diverse products, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange.

    Speaking on the festival’s success, Mr Obi Asika, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, described NAFEST as a “unifying celebration of Nigeria’s cultural wealth.”

    He emphasised that the festival’s theme, “Connected Culture”, reflects the shared values that strengthen bonds across Nigeria’s diverse communities.

    “NAFEST is more than an event; it is a platform that fosters unity, cultural pride, and economic opportunity,” Asika remarked, expressing gratitude to participating states and partners.

    As the curtains close on this landmark edition, NAFEST reaffirms its role as a vital tool for preserving heritage, promoting tourism, and inspiring national cohesion.

    With over five decades of existence, the festival continues to be a bridge that unites Nigerians through shared cultural pride.

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