The recently concluded Greasy Tunes Café experience has been hailed as a landmark cultural event, spotlighting the dynamic evolution of Nigerian music and the rising influence of female artistry.
Headlined by ODUMODUBLVCK, The Cavemen, and Sarz, the multi-genre showcase confirmed that street-influenced sounds are resonating deeply with Nigerian youth.
The week-long celebration kicked off with the INDUSTRY MACHINE GALA, where an electrified crowd instantly connected with the night’s momentum. ODUMODUBLVCK’s performance was a defining moment, embodying the raw spirit of contemporary Nigerian Hip-Hop and setting the tone for the entire event.
A powerful display of female musical excellence elevated the experience further. Performers such as MOLIY, Joyce Olong, Lady Donli, and Goodgirl LA—all known for their genre-defying sounds and independent production—delivered commanding sets that underscored a critical shift in the industry.
MOLIY and Joyce Olong, both ambassadors of the Spotify EQUAL Africa program, exemplified how platforms are helping level the playing field for women in music across the continent.
“These artists are not simply performing; they are actively rewriting the narrative of African music,” said one attendee.
The Loose Talk Podcast Live! added intellectual depth to the week, unpacking the historical role of Hip-Hop in shaping Nigerian music. Panelists traced the genre’s influence from pioneers like 2Baba, who transitioned from rap to Afrobeats, to current trends.
They forecast that the next authentic wave of Hip-Hop is likely to emerge from Eastern Nigeria.
This prediction was reinforced by the screening of the documentary “Ki’mon! The Eastern Nigerian Afro-Funk Revolution 1970–1980”, which explored Afro-Funk as the post-conflict sound of self-definition—political, primal, and deeply authentic.
Bridging past and present, The Cavemen delivered a soulful revival of Highlife and Afro-Funk, connecting audiences to ancestral rhythms that continue to shape contemporary Nigerian music.
The week culminated in a masterful DJ set by Sarz, whose technical precision and cultural fluency brought the event to a powerful close. His performance reaffirmed his status as one of Nigeria’s most innovative sound architects.
Throughout the festivities, Tolu Daniels, the event’s hype man, played a pivotal role in maintaining energy and cohesion, seamlessly linking artists and audiences across all performances.
The Greasy Tunes Café experience has been widely praised for its celebration of musical diversity, cultural heritage, and the bold future of Nigerian sound.
