Ariya Eko Music Fest to celebrate music of Lagos

The event is geared towards recognising and celebrating the rich musical culture and heritage of Lagos.

Organised by Evergreen Musical Company in conjunction with the Lagos State government, the festival is also about bringing the music of decades past to younger Nigerians, thereby giving them contextual understanding of the origin of Afrobeats and other modern styles of Nigerian music.

“We are celebrating our indigenous music in its traditional and contemporary form while harnessing its potentialities for the development of a highly needed vintage music culture, especially among our youths", Evergreen Musical Company managing director Bimbo Esho said. "We want to revive the old rhythms that are the foundation of today's music and to ensure they don’t go into extinction.”

The festival will feature popular music icons such as Ebenezer Obey, who will be inducted into the Evergreen Music Hall of Fame. Sir Shina Peters, who celebrates 30 years since the release of his Ace album, will also be awarded for his contributions to the music industry.

They will be joined by Tee Mac, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Yinka Davies, Jimi Solanke, Abass Akande Obesere, Abideen Yusuf Olatunji, Young Tunde Nightingale, Halimat Ayinla Omowura, Buga, Ibitayo Jeje, Segun Blessing, Omileyan, Vector, Sola Vibrator, Helen Ibe, Dollarz, Wasiu Oseni Ejire, Eko Brass Band and others.

“The idea of Ariya Eko became necessary because of the continuous decline in indigenous music: juju, Fuji, highlife, sakara, agidigbo, waka and folk," Esho said. "The demise of many indigenous musicians has left the indigenous music industry in a semi-comatose state.”

Last year’s event was themed Ariya Agba Eko, meaning ‘Lagos Elders’ Party’, a concept created for the older generation. This year's festival, however, has been expanded to include contemporary genres.

Lagos is regarded as Nigeria's melting pot where people of different vocations come from afar to seek greener pastures. This is also true for most musicians who travel to the city searching for success.

“I'm not sure if any popular artist today became popular without singing on the soil of Lagos or connecting to the Lagos root,” Esho said.