Before the curtain even rose on Flytime Fest 2023, on December 20th, Flytime hosted a celebratory dinner to welcome its esteemed lineup of artists and kick off the festival week in style. The cream of the crop from the music and entertainment industry – icons like Roddy Ricch, Olamide, Toni Tones, Osas Ighodaro, Bizzle Osikoya, and more – came together to toast to the coming days of immersive music and cultural experience that was about to unfold. It was a first taste of the electrifying energy that would soon engulf Lagos.
A press conference was also held offering a sneak peek into what is now one of Africa’s most monumental music and entertainment festivals. Joined by industry luminaries, Cecil Hammond, the visionary founder of Flytime Promotions, headlining artist Roddy Ricch and Director of Marketing at Coca-Cola, Yusuf Murtala, revealed plans to make the festival a fully immersive experience for all guests.
Roddy, visibly moved by Lagos’ warm embrace, shared, “I’m overwhelmed by how the city embraced me. The people exude such warmth, and I can’t wait to return, immerse myself in the local culture, play football with the locals, and soak in the richness of this region.”
Coca-Cola Rhythm Unplugged kicked off Flytime Fest at the Eko Convention Centre with a global lineup of talents. Each artist delivered a spectacular show, fueling the audience’s excitement and setting the tempo for the days ahead. From the young to the young-at-heart, everyone danced like nobody was watching.
Attendees enjoyed energetic performances by Roddy Ricch, Fireboy, Iyanya, Ajebo Hustlers, BNXN, Brazy, Fave, Mayorkun, Spyro, Wurld, Bloody Civilian, Blaqbonez, Raybeykah, Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi, Smaya, Victony, and a surprise performance by the queen of Afrobeats, Tiwa Savage.
Fly Village commenced, giving guests an opportunity to explore exclusive brands, artistic wonders, and culinary delights, offering an immersive experience that went beyond music. Attendees engaged in live artistry, indulged in exclusive shopping and savored the flavors of Flytime Fest.
Celebrating a decade of chart-topping hits and a loyal fanbase, Kizz Daniel headlined Day 2 of the festival. Every song sparked a chorus of singalongs regardless of age group or musical preferences, further proving the undeniable truth – Kizz Daniel simply has “no bad songs.”
One lucky fan surprised Kizz Daniel with a personalized painting, adding a touch of heartwarming intimacy to the electrifying atmosphere.
On Day 3, Afrobeats superstar, Davido gave attendees a phenomenal performance, igniting the night with an array of hits and special appearances by BMW, Peruzzi, and Morravey. The crowd was taken on a musical journey from Davido classics like “Aye” and “Dami Duro” to recent hits from the Grammy nominated “Timeless” album.
The energy was palpable as the venue witnessed a sold-out show, filled with an eclectic mix of fans, including notable personalities and top High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) from across the country.
To close out Flytime Fest 2023, Asake – Mr. Money with the vibe sure did come with his infectious energy and genre-bending music, captivating the audience with a night of unforgettable music and energetic dance moves.
The Grammy-nominated artist performed top charting songs from “Amapiano” to “Lonely at the Top” getting the crowd to lose themselves in the music’s intoxicating groove. Asake and Davido reunited on stage to perform their hit song, No competition. The energy in the room was explosive, a testament to the undeniable chemistry between these two giants of Afrobeats.
(Asake and Davido performing ‘No Competition’)
“As we wrap up Flytime Fest 2023 with this stellar performance by Asake, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the artists who poured their souls onto the stage, my amazing team who worked tirelessly, and to our incredible sponsors who continue to support us as we push boundaries in the entertainment space”, said Cecil Hammond, CEO of Flytime Promotions.
The festival ended with a grand unveiling of the Osa Seven’s mural of the late singer, Mohbad which got the attention of many festival attendees. The piece, strategically placed within the festival grounds, served as a tribute to his impact on the music scene and a visual feast for festival attendees.
For almost 2 decades and counting, we’ve redefined December in Lagos. said Keke Hammond, COO of Flytime Promotions, ‘Flytime fest is now a key cultural moment in the region and in 2024, we’re taking this best-in-class entertainment experience global’, she added.
Flytime Fest 2023 is proudly powered by Coca-Cola, and presented by Premier Lotto (Baba Ijebu), Magicline Films, Clane, Cene+, Desperados, Heineken and Road14 Studios. Moët & Chandon and Hennessy are the official alcohol sponsors for Coca-Cola Rhythm Unplugged, and the performances of Kizz Daniel and Asake on December 21, 23, and 25. Martell Cognac serves as the official spirits sponsor for Davido’s exceptional performance on December 24.
About Flytime Fest
Flytime Fest is Africa’s biggest music and live entertainment festival, featuring a diverse lineup of genres and talents from the continent and beyond. Organized by Flytime Promotions, Nigeria’s leading full-service entertainment company with 19 years of experience in producing world-class events, these festivals are known for their exceptional production standards, multisensory experiences, and safety focus. Attracting thousands of attendees from within and beyond the continent, the festivals celebrate and showcase the richness and diversity of African music and culture, providing a platform for both emerging and established artists to reach a global audience. Rhythm Unplugged, Nigeria’s longest-running concert, is an integral part of this vibrant brand story, adding its unique legacy to the festivities.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide.
