Afrobeats Takes FlightPopcentral
Nigeria's musical heritage
Nigeria’s music is our greatest archive—of joy, protest, resilience, and identity. Yet, it risked being forgotten. 70 Years of Music in Nigeria was born to preserve, celebrate, and pass this sonic legacy to the next generation.
In December 2024, Popcentral unveiled 70 Years of Music in Nigeria—an unforgettable journey into the soul of our nation, told through the legends, sounds, and stories that moved us.
A nation, a note, a new dawn
We begin in 1954, not at the origin of Nigerian music—but at its awakening. One year after Enahoro’s independence motion, music rose as our most powerful language of freedom.
This is not about looking back for comfort. It’s about recognizing music’s role in shaping who we are, and using that history to fuel who we’ll become.
Through a pop culture lens, we spotlighted artists who bent genres, broke barriers, and built movements.
The experience
This wasn’t just an exhibit—it was an experience. Archival film, immersive sound, visual storytelling. Music was not just displayed—it was lived.
Artists in ResidencePopcentral
The artists who painted sound
Fourteen artists-in-residence, in partnership with MADHouse alongside ten independent artists transformed our iconic stories and sounds into bold visual expressions—turning memory into mural and rhythm into brushstroke.
Timeless beats and new voices
In our Music Bootcamp, young artists reimagined classics—bridging eras through voice, craft, and courage. A resurrection of melodies that still matter.
Town Halls and workshops gave Gen Z a front row seat to history. Not just to hear it—but to question, inherit, and evolve it.
The way back room
A portal to the past—vinyl, vintage album art, forgotten gems. Every item told a story. Every story added to our sonic DNA.
The Hennessy lounge
In this curated space, heritage met hospitality. Hennessy didn’t just support the music—they helped shape its stage, sound, and celebration.
The Spotify RoomPopcentral
The listening room
The listening room powered by Spotify brought people together—one track, one memory, one moment at a time. An interactive room where music made connections.
This is not just an archive. It’s a heartbeat. 70 Years of Music in Nigeria is a living, breathing story—told through sound, sight, and soul.
They asked who gave us the right to tell this story. We say: if not us, who? We are custodians of culture. We do this because we must.
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