Timaya, Omawumi, Kcee to headline ‘Naija to the World’ concert in New York

Kcee, Omawumi, Timaya and Timi Dakolo are set to perform at the maiden edition of the ‘Naija To The World’ concert in New York. 

Last month, Buckwyld Media Network and BHM partnered for the live event which is aimed at exploring the culture and creativity of Nigeria, the home of Nollywood and Afrobeats. 

Efe Omorogbe, CEO of Buckwyld Media Network; and Ayeni Adekunle, founder of BHM, in a joint statement on Thursday, said the cultural project is targeted at providing an alternative narrative to “the stories out there about Nigeria and Nigerians”.

The statement said the event will be held at the iconic Apollo Theatre in New York City on September 16, 2023.

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 expected to have at least 10 million fans participate through pop-up events and talent shows and a series of community events around historic African communities in America.

It is also anticipated that 1,500 fans will witness history and watch live at the Apollo, while at least 10 million more will listen and watch through broadcast partners across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.