Afrobeats pioneer D'Banj recently shared exciting news during an interview with Adesope Live in London: he's planning a joint tour with fellow music legends 2Baba and Timaya. The "Oliver Twist" hitmaker reflected on the incredible journey of Afrobeats, from its humble beginnings as a burgeoning West African genre in the 2000s and 2010s to its current status as a global phenomenon.
D'Banj emphasized that this remarkable rise isn't just thanks to the dedication of artists and industry professionals, but also the unwavering support of the African diaspora. He revealed that conversations with Timaya and 2Baba sparked the idea for the tour, with 2Baba suggesting they hit the road together.
With their extensive catalogs of hit songs, D'Banj believes there's a huge audience ready for what they'll bring. He also let slip that a new song with 2Baba, titled "Feeling Good," is on the way, and it might even be the theme for the upcoming tour—a way to say "thank you" to fans who've waited patiently.
Looking back 20 years, D'Banj recalled a time when being Nigerian wasn't as celebrated in London as it is now. Back then, everyone wanted to embrace Jamaican culture. He marveled at how Afrobeats has become the new "pop" sound, noting that you can now find African music in nearly every UK movie. He extended his gratitude not just to the artists, but to the entire African community for their role in this incredible transformation.
