Lagos: Spotify has launched an experiential pop-up, Greasy Tunes Café, that highlights the profound cultural heritage shaping the modern African sound. Phiona Okumu, Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa at Spotify, emphasized the significance of African music’s roots in a statement made on Monday in Lagos.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Okumu outlined a vision for African music’s growth, focusing on global expansion while maintaining deep respect for tradition. Genres like Amapiano and Afrobeats are gaining international acclaim, and Okumu highlighted the authenticity of African sound as its core strength. She stated that understanding African music’s explosive global moment requires an appreciation of its deep-seated roots.

The pop-up’s inaugural week centered on the theme of legacy and evolution in African sound, illustrating how musicians are weaving historical influences into the contemporary global music scene. Okumu described the event as a cultural cohesion masterclass, merging ancestral spirit
ualism with modern digital production to reveal both the foundation and future of African music.

A key highlight of the event was a fireside chat titled ‘The Evolving Sounds of African Music,’ moderated by Spotify Senior Editor, Benewah Boateng. This discussion featured Nigerian producers Andre Vibes and Braye, alongside Brazilian artist Melly, who explored the fusion of traditional and modern sounds. Vibes emphasized that percussion remains a defining element of Afrobeats.

The event also featured a performance by the Eyo masquerade, showcasing Lagos’s rich traditions and their connection to contemporary expressions. Another panel, ‘Cultural Symbolism and African Music,’ included DJ Spinall and rapper Vector, with moderation by Jide Taiwo. The speakers reinforced that African music’s power is inseparable from its cultural roots.

Additionally, RADAR Presents: FOLA – catharsis Love saw Nigerian artist FOLA deliver a poignant performance reflecting the urban Lagos experience, highlighting music’s role as a st
orytelling and communal healing medium. Okumu concluded by affirming that the Spotify pop-up celebrates African creativity and underscores the global power of the continent’s music through cultural lineage preservation.