Showbiz
Davido, Tiwa Savage, Others Lighten Giants of Africa Festival
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Fun seekers at the BK Arena in Kigali, Kenya, on Saturday, August 19, 2023, will not forget in a hurry the excitement they felt seeing their favourite African music stars perform in their presence.
Several musicians from 16 countries converged on the venue to put smiles on the faces of their fans at an event hosted by Spotify in partnership with Giants of Africa for the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival.
It was in celebration of the non-profit’s 20-year anniversary, and the week-long festival did not fall beyond expectations. The event used music and basketball to educate and empower African youths to dream big.
Davido, Tiwa Savage, Tyla and Bruce Melodie were the artists who thrilled the pan-African audience with unforgettable performances.
Tyla, a Spotify Africa RADAR artist, was first on stage as she showcased her Amapiano infused with Afrobeats, pop and R&B style music. She kicked off her performance with her collaboration with Kooldrink, Getting Late, which is also her most streamed track, according to Spotify data.
Interestingly, the market streaming the South African artist the most is Nigeria, followed by her home country. This is likely due to her collaboration with Nigeria’s Ayra Starr on Girl Next Door, which is her second most streamed track and was also included in her Giants of Africa performance. The other countries vibing with Tyla’s music include Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania.
The audience also got a chance to experience her other hits, Been Thinking, To Last and her most recent release, Water. An Amapiano performance would not be complete without choreographed dance moves, which Tyla and her dancers delivered elegantly, leaving the auditorium in awe.
Rwanda’s Bruce Melodie took the stage next, starting off with his collaboration with Khaligraph Jones, Sawa Sawa, which is his second most streamed track on Spotify.
Over the 20-minute performance, Bruce transported the fans through his musical catalogue, from Ikinyafu, Saa Moya 7:00 and Funga Macho. The crowd went wild when ELEMENT EleéeH, Rwandan producer, singer and songwriter, joined Bruce on stage for a performance of their song FOU DE TOi. Bruce then took the audience to church with his gospel song, Urabinyegeza, another of his top streamed tracks on Spotify, before closing off with Katerina, his most streamed song on Spotify. Bruce’s Spotify audience is majorly in East Africa, with Kenya streaming his music the most, followed by Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and finally Burundi.
Probably one of the most anticipated performances of the afternoon, Davido took to the stage next. The artist, whose audience is spread out all across the continent, from Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia gave an electrifying performance that left the audience wanting more.
He opened with Over Dem, from his Timeless album and one of his most streamed songs on Spotify. Davido then transported the audience back in time with hit after hit, including Dami Duro, FIA, Jowo, If, Fall and Risky among others. The showmanship continued, performing High, Ke Star and Champion Sound.
Finally, the moment for his most viral song arrived; Unavailable, is Davido’s most streamed song on Timeless, and the most exported track among 18 -24 year olds, soundtracking many dance videos. The song, the dance moves, and Davido’s close-out performance were everything and more.
The queen of Afrobeats, Tiwa Savage, was the final act on the Giants of Africa stage. Also with a pan-African audience, Tiwa’s Spotify listeners are from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Uganda. 49-99, one of her most playlisted songs on Spotify, opened her performance.
Ma Lo, her second most streamed song was next, followed by a string of other hits including KEYS TO THE KINGDOM, Like, Pick Up and an acapella version of Somebody’s Son. Who Is Your Guy was a crowd favourite, as was her most streamed song on Spotify, Koroba. Closing off with Stamina, her top exported track among 18-35-year-olds, Tiwa’s performance showed why she is still the undisputed queen of Afrobeats.
“It was a pleasure to partner with Giants of Africa, particularly for the closing concert, where the audience got to experience some of Africa’s top-tier talent. Africa’s youth are the future, and we are excited to continue to support them through partnerships such as this one,” said Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy after the concert.
Winner Achimugu, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Best Graduating Student 2024, has embarked on a six-week scholarship at the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA). This achievement not only celebrates her exceptional talent and dedication but also reinforces MTF’s commitment to nurturing world-class African filmmakers ready to make their mark on the global stage.
Since its inception, MTF has been more than just a training ground; it’s a launchpad for African storytellers. Alumni from the academy have consistently demonstrated excellence, with films and projects winning awards, receiving grants, and gaining international recognition. Notable projects include 2070, which clinched Best Short Film at the African SDGs Film Festival, and Isekonu, a Zee World short film, officially selected for the Lagos Fringe Festival 2025 and nominated for Best Student Film at the Bayelsa International Film Festival.
These achievements reflect MTF’s ethos of equipping young filmmakers with both the technical skills and creative vision necessary to succeed, both locally and internationally.
The 2024 Best Graduating Student, Winner Achimugu, distinguished herself among her peers with a combination of talent, dedication, and storytelling finesse. Her selection for the NYFA scholarship is a testament to her hard work and to the quality of mentorship and training at MTF.
Through this program, she will engage in intensive workshops, hands-on training, and industry exposure that promise to elevate her craft. The scholarship is not just an award, it is a bridge connecting African storytelling to global cinematic opportunities, embodying MTF’s brand promise of fostering talent that transcends borders.
This scholarship opens new avenues for growth, offering exposure to international techniques, networks, and collaborative experiences that could define the trajectory of her career. For MTF, it’s a validation of its mission: cultivating a generation of filmmakers whose creativity, vision, and impact will resonate far beyond Africa.
As this journey unfolds, it reinforces the message that African cinema is on the rise, powered by storytellers who are ready to take their place on the world stage. With MTF alumni leading the way, the future of African filmmaking looks brighter than ever.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
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