This vital connection between deep-seated heritage and the sounds of tomorrow proved the defining story of the inaugural week at the Greasy Tunes Café, Spotify’s thrilling experiential pop-up in Lekki, Lagos.

The week anchored itself entirely on this premise: the legacy and evolution of African Sound, demonstrating how the continent’s sound shapers are intentionally weaving history into the contemporary fabric of global music. What unfolded was a masterclass in cultural cohesion, uniting ancestral spiritualism with digital-age production to showcase the music’s foundation and spectacular future.

The experience kicked off with an electrifying launch party. Group Therapy set the stage with a vital, pulsing sound, with South African DJ, Thakzin, taking control, delivering a global pulse with his Amapiano fusion. This opening night proved the café to be more than a novelty; it is a living, breathing hub for the African sounds defining a generation.

The focus then shifted sharply towards the intellectual journey powering the music, with crucial fireside chats examining African music’s’ essential makeup.

The panel “The Evolving Sounds of African Music”, moderated by Spotify Senior Editor Benewah Boateng, offered sharp insights into the dynamics of sound evolution. Producers and artists, including Nigeria’s Andre Vibes and Braye, alongside Brazilian artist Melly, collectively stressed that the core of music lies in its lineage. Andre Vibes further specified that percussion acts as the universal link that ultimately gives a track its Afrobeats identity.

Driving deeper into the music’s foundation, a pivotal, ceremonial moment arrived with a performance from the Eyo masquerade, visually and historically linking the contemporary Lagos pulse to its ancestral rhythm. This immediately set the stage for the powerful “Cultural Symbolisms & African Music” chat. Here, Nigeria’s DJ and record producer Spinall and rapper Vector, moderated by media executive Jide Taiwo, reinforced the fundamental truth: the sound is inseparable from the culture that birthed it.

This essential cultural conversation championed the exhibition of heritage, from the masquerade to global stages, stressing that preserving culture requires continuously telling its stories accurately and intentionally.

“For African music, many stories have never been told, and a lot of information has been misconstrued. It is important that people know the origin and the culture behind these things. I think Spotify is doing something great in fostering that unlearning. It is quite impactful,” said Spinall.

This powerful dialogue led perfectly into the evening’s event: RADAR Presents: FOLA – Catharsis Live. The artist, whose work is rooted in the urban Lagos experience, delivered a raw, unvarnished set. FOLA’s performance, brimming with the soulful complexity of his latest album, framed the music not just as party material, but as a form of communal emotional release powered by indigenous storytelling.

The week’s ultimate conclusion arrived with the masterful fusion of heritage and modernity presented by Adekunle Gold. In the event’s defining moment, the Afropop icon discussed his celebrated project, Fuji, articulating the entire thesis: his work is not nostalgia, but a conscious effort to carry the original roots of Nigerian music into the future.

The definitive statement came during his subsequent live performance, which showcased a mesmerising blend of traditional Fuji drumming and sleek, global soundscapes. The moment reached another level when Adekunle Gold stirred widespread emotion by inviting legend Yinka Ayefele on stage.

Their performance of Ayefele’s evergreen hit, “Many People”, was truly electrifying, instantly evoking deep nostalgia among all fans present and viewing online. The sheer power of this masterful reinvention left the audience awestruck.

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This campaign is backed by new Spotify data showing that for Nigerian Gen Z, music and food are core pillars of daily life, with Afrobeats dominating their listening habits from morning to night. Greasy Tunes Café brings this insight to life: customers can order local Nigerian meals and instantly receive a personalised Spotify playlist or podcast, curated in real-time based on their food choices.

The evening featured two exclusive fireside chats that provided intimate insight into the campaign’s vision. Spotify executives Bea Theron, Experiential Marketing Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, and Victor Okpala, Artist and Label Partnership Manager for West Africa, introduced the strategy, with Theron stressing that the café is an immersive experience built on the pillars of culture, music, and food.

She emphasised that Spotify’s role is clear: supporting creatives and prioritising the hyper-local storytelling essential to celebrating the people of Lagos.

“Tonight proves the power of the youth: they build the culture here in Nigeria. The Greasy Tunes Café is our future-facing model, blending the force of Afrobeats with the authenticity of local cuisine. This isn’t just a party; it’s a strategic move to establish the new cultural future of Lagos,” said Theron.

Okpala expanded on the café’s programming, noting that it will serve as both a launchpad for local talent and a centre for education. He highlighted plans to spotlight diverse emerging artists, citing names like Fola and Adekunle Gold.

Okpala also announced specific educational moments, including an October 11th screening of a documentary on Afro-Nigerian Afro-funk and the Eyo masquerade, underscoring its commitment to Nigeria’s rich culture and musical heritage.

Following the executives’ discussion, the spotlight shifted to two of the platform’s biggest recent names: Spotify RADAR and South African artist Thakzin, and Afrobeats artist Fola, who rank among the platform’s most-streamed emerging artists of the 2020s.

Anchored by themes of authenticity and dedication, the artists’ fireside chat offered raw insight into their creative journey. Fola shared that success was anything far from overnight, stressing that background doesn’t define the future.

“You have to put in the work; that is my truth,” he said. “Nothing about my journey is overnight. The love I’m receiving fuels me, and my goal is clear: I’m going to take Afrobeats to the next level.”

Thakzin, meanwhile, spoke about the importance of emotion in his sound. “For me, music is about translating real-time feelings into rhythm,” he explained. “If you’re going to push new sounds, you have to go harder, always, because that’s how you break through and move people.”

After the fireside chats concluded, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as DJ Dami Osinubi kicked off the party with electrifying sets. Guests moved to the music, captured moments, and enjoyed a true taste of Nigeria through the local food and drinks. The launch served as the perfect kick-off for the campaign, setting a high bar for the celebration of music, culture, and community ahead.

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As part of Spotify’s ongoing commitment to discovering and amplifying emerging voices across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), RADAR continues to champion boundary-pushing artists shaping the sound of tomorrow.

FOLA, born Folarin Odunlami, first caught attention with his freestyles on social media, quickly making a name for himself with his blend of Afrobeat rhythms and soulful storytelling.

His breakout EP, What A Feeling, featuring the Bella Shmurda-assisted hit “Who Does That,” laid the foundation for a fast-rising career that now includes collaborations with BNXN, Magixx, and BhadBoi OML.

“Looking at where I’m coming from, I see every opportunity as a blessing. So, it’s a blessing to have been selected, just like others before me,” says FOLA. “I want my fans to know that in the midst of all the noise, I made something they could truly connect with, feel and share with those who mean something to them. I want everyone who listens to at the very least, recognise that they’re witnessing the early days of something truly special.”

On the southern tip of the continent, Thakzin’s journey began in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, where early jazz and kwaito influences, plus a deep respect for traditional percussion, shaped his signature sound.

With co-signs from Black Coffee and international tastemakers like Laurent Garnier, his genre-defying approach to Afro House, heard in his 2023 anthem “The Magnificent Dance,” is setting global dance floors alight.

Following the release of “Magnificent Dance,” his version of “Horns In The Sun” by DJ Kent became a viral hit across South Africa and gained global traction, potentially surpassing the success of “Magnificent Dance” itself.

Thakzin’s sound is rooted in African spirituality and healing, inspired by the rhythmic power of traditional drums. Shaped by a musical upbringing and guided by his father, a keyboardist, he blends rich harmonies with percussive elements to create an immersive Afro-house experience.

His music evokes emotion, movement, and ancestral energy, anchored in freedom and African expression. In recognition of his role in shaping 3-Step, Thakzin was the first cover artist of Spotify’s 3-Step playlist.

Spotify RADAR isn’t just a platform; it’s a launchpad. It reflects Spotify’s commitment to empowering local artists across SSA and delivering the best listening experience in the region. From Lagos to Johannesburg, RADAR celebrates the diversity of talent on the continent, offering artists equal access to global audiences.

“At Spotify, we believe in the power of African storytelling through music. FOLA and Thakzin are both incredibly unique artists who represent the spirit of RADAR—fresh voices with global potential,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa. “By amplifying their journeys, we hope to inspire more creators across the continent to believe in their vision and reach for bigger stages.”

With FOLA and Thakzin stepping into the spotlight, one thing is clear: Africa’s future sound is already here, and Spotify is where you find it first.

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