Veteran Afrobeats star D'banj has announced plans for a joint tour with fellow Nigerian music icons 2Face (2Baba) and Timaya, signaling a potential reunion of some of Africa's most influential artists on stage.
The 'Oliver Twist' hitmaker made this revelation during a recent interview with Adesope Live in London, where he discussed the evolution of Afrobeats from a regional West African genre to its current global dominance.
"I was speaking with Timaya the other day and he was like, 'Banger, it's okay, you've entrepreneur enough. It's time to come out.' And I said the same thing. I'm speaking to 2Face as well. 2Face was telling me – let's go on a tour together," D'banj shared.
The three artists, who have been pivotal figures in Nigeria's music industry for nearly two decades, boast extensive catalogs of hits that have helped shape the Afrobeats sound. D'banj emphasized the significance of their combined legacy, stating, "We have myself, 2Face and Timaya. We have great bodies of work. Because of how our industry is, there is a big market for everyone. So, yes, we will be going on a tour."
New Music Collaboration on the Horizon
Beyond the tour announcement, D'banj also revealed an upcoming musical collaboration with 2Face titled 'Feeling Good.' He suggested this track might serve as the theme for their tour, expressing gratitude to fans who have supported their careers over the years.
"For those who have waited, I want to thank you guys. I think that would be the tag of the tour - just to thank. Because looking back 20 years..." he reflected.
Celebrating Afrobeats' Global Impact
During the interview, D'banj also highlighted the remarkable journey of Afrobeats and African music on the global stage. He recalled a time when Nigerian identity wasn't celebrated in international spaces.
"Now everybody is Afrobeats, everybody is African. But I remember when in this London it was not that great for you to say you are a Nigerian. We all wanted to be Jamaicans. Back then, everybody was embracing Jamaica so for us [Africans] to be the new pop [it is a big deal]," he said.
The artist credited not only the creative talents behind the music but also the African diaspora for supporting and elevating the genre to international prominence. "These days, there is no UK movie that I've seen and our music is not in. So a big kudos not just to the creatives but to the whole community [African diaspora]," D'banj added.
While specific dates for the tour have not yet been announced, the collaboration between these three Afrobeats pioneers promises to be a significant cultural event for Nigerian music fans both at home and abroad.
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