What to know about the first-ever Afrobeats hall of fame induction ceremony

The Afrobeats Hall of Fame (ABHF) induction ceremony is almost here. The initiative — which is the first of its kind in Africa — was created to honour Africans who have recorded remarkable achievements across the continent’s music industry and globally.

At a recent media briefing in Lagos, Kenny Ogungbe, CEO of Kennis Music and chairman of ABHF’s Blue Ribbon panel, said the ceremony aims to preserve Africa’s culture and celebrate its musical heroes.

“Having been in the music industry for over 3 decades, myself and the other Blue Ribbon Panel members, Obi Asika, DJ Jimmy Jatt and Bankuli realised that the only way to preserve our historic culture is to celebrate our legend hence the need to have a hall of fame,” he said.

“We want the whole world to know that we are honouring artistry and the contributions made by those who have played major roles in dissemination and creation of the art of African music.”

On his part, Obi Asika, vice chairman of the Blue Ribbon Panel, said ABHF inductees are artistes who must have made significant contributions to the development of music in Africa in the past 20 years or more.

Ahead of the much-awaited ceremony, TheCable Lifestyle examines three things you should know about the Afrobeats Hall of Fame.

Categories and voting system

According to Obi Asika, the initiative consists of three categories namely early influencers, mid-influencers and modern influencers.

He disclosed that the early influencers for the maiden edition will include artistes who have made impacts in music within Africa and around the world between the 1950s and 1960s.

The category, he said, has music legends such as Victor Olaiya, Tunde King, E.T Mensah, Onisha Native Orchestra, E.C Arinze, Mamman Chata and Bobby Benson.

The mid-influencers category, he added, includes Osita Osadebe, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Rex Lawson, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Dan Maraya Jos, Peacocks Guitar Band International, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makemba, Salif Keita and Bala Mila.

Asika also disclosed that the modern influencers category includes musicians whose career heroics fall between the  1980s and 1990s.

He said the artistes in the category include the likes of 2Baba, Onyeka Onwenu, Awilo Longomba, The Remedies, and Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

Asika also disclosed that a lifetime achievement award will also be given to Tony Odili, the 95-year-old Konga player.

He, however, announced that only the third category of the awards will be opened for public voting.

Partnership with Estilo Da Vida for EkoAmore Walkway 

According to Abiola Akinlonu, the managing director of Estilo Da Vida, a lifestyle and cultural hub, the ABHF will house the EkoAmore walkway of fame, a monumental enclave. 

The initiative, Akinlonu said, is aimed at further showcasing Nigeria’s cultural exceptionality through an amazing and spectacular canal waterway.

Akinlonu added that the EkoAmore walkway of fame and musical fountain, situated on Freedom way, Lekki, is where walkway stars of inductees will be engraved and also beautified by a musical fountain in the same location.

“This is to preserve all accurate information of African musical legends whose impacts have been engraved on the walkway to educate the general public and honor these legends,” Akinlonu said.

Theme song challenge

Olajide Obaoye, head of operations for Estilo Da Vida, also unveiled the hashtags for the awards at the media parley.

Obaoye disclosed that an arrangement has been made for a theme song challenge. 

He urged interested artists to visit here, download the beat, and make a one-minute freestyle video on it, using any song from any of the inductees.

Obaoye said the winner of the theme song challenge will get a cash prize of $2,000, while the runner-up will be awarded the sum of $1,000. He added that the challenge will run from November 29 to January 16, 2022.

“Contestants are to visit the website to download the Afrobeats Hall of Fame theme song beat, make a one-minute freestyle video to the beat, singing a recreated version of a song of any Inductee of their choice,” Obaoye said.

“This contest, which is open to all Africans with registration conducted via the ABHF website. It will run from Monday, November 29, 2021, to January 16, 2022, to enable a thorough selection process before the actual ceremony.

“Contestants with the highest likes will then be selected — 2 winners will be selected, the first place wins a cash prize of $2000 and the second place wins a cash prize of $1000″.