Empire curates Afrobeats radio channel at Complexland 2020

The station can be accessed via Channel 4 on Complexland 2020, a digital experience developed by Complex Networks and retaining the essence of the annual ComplexCon festival. The channel features music from top Nigerian artists in the genre, including Empire artists such as Fireboy DML, Olamide, Wande Coal, L.A.X., Patoranking and Kizz Daniel. 

The development adds to Afrobeats’ growing global acceptance, which includes the launch of its first 'official' chart by the Official Charts Company in the UK earlier this year. 

“The rise in our music across the last decade has been breathtaking to experience, and 2020 has been a momentous year for artists from back home,” DJ Cuppy said. “It’s a scene that has always been so vibrant and creative, but its popularity has amplified. The floodgates have opened, and the whole world wants in on the motherland.”

Additionally, Empire has announced an exclusive merchandise booth. Located at the Sunset Lagoon in Complexland, the booth showcases exclusive items from Busta Rhymes, Rich The Kid and LUCKI, among others.

Founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami and headquartered in San Francisco, Empire has expanded its interests to the African market recently. In the past 18 months it has distributed music for top Nigerian names including Kizz Daniel, Wande Coal, Wizkid and Burna Boy. In February, the company entered into a distribution partnership with rapper Olamide’s label, YBNL Records.

ComplexCon was held from 7 to 11 December. The event traditionally entails exhibitions, music concerts, discussion panels catering to pop culture and mass audience entertainment. Complexland, a 3D amusement park-themed universe, comprises an immersive digital experience featuring exclusive merch drops, art, musical performances and food collaborations, among others.

The virtual experience, programmed daily and accessible via mobile and desktop, also allows fans of convergence culture around the world to shop their favourite retailers from home. It is free to access here.