Nigeria

Lagos

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Lagos has long been a global musical epicentre, with a history of pioneering genres that have had unsurmountable impact on global pop landscapes. From the 1960s Afrobeat legacy of Fela Kuti to today's ongoing Afrobeats golden age, the city has long flourished with jazz bars, open-air musical spaces and cultural centres that showcase the city's creative brilliance.  

 form part of a bustling modern-day music scene that includes acts like Burna Boy, Wizkid and Adekunle Gold. Gold is fresh from releasing his sixth studio album, 

, an album named after a musical genre that emerged from Yoruba communities in the 1960s, characterised by layered percussion and call-and-respond chants. 

Gold is fiercely proud of his roots, which his musical aspirations paying homage to the layered rich heritage and culture of Lagos. Below he shows us his favourite spots in his home city. 

Jazzhole is one of my favorite corners of Lagos. I can spend hours there, flipping through vinyls, sipping tea, surrounded by books and old sounds. It’s one of those rare places that still holds the soul of the city. You can find the best of the best Nigerian music classics in vinyls here. 

No matter where I travel, nothing beats the taste of home. Akanke Alamala is my spot for amala, gbegiri, and ewedu, hot and fresh. It reminds me of simpler times. They have 2 spots, I usually go to the one in Lekki and my favourite thing about this spot is that they also have traditional singers and drummers who go around to every table to perform for you. Apart from the food, the music here is A1. 

This place means a lot to me because it keeps our culture alive. Every visit feels like stepping into a living story, the language, the art, the drums, the spirit. It’s a space everyone needs to visit to learn about Yoruba history and culture when they visit Lagos. 

This is my family palace, my great great great ancestor King Kosoko was the King of Lagos in the 1800’s. The palace houses the Kosoko Memorial Museum and walking through it always feels powerful. It’s a reminder of my heritage, the resilience that I carry, and how much strength and legacy lives in my family history. This is my favourite place for inspiration and to gather my thoughts. 

After a long hard week, this is where I dance, unwind, and just have a great time with my guys. The music is always great, the crowd has style, and it’s just great vibes in Boho. Might be my favourite club in Lagos and my friend Fresh L runs the best nights there. 

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Inside the Family Palace: Adekunle Gold's Guide to Lagos

LADIPOE

With 70% of Nigeria's population being under 35, the country's cultural scene is burgeoning with young talent right now. Rapper LADIPOE is a key part of that scene, along with creatives like Stephen Tayo, fashion collective Vivendii and musicians like Burna Boy and Wizkid. Lagos, which is spread over four islands, has a rich selection of spots and events where you can experience local music, art, and culture -- and get involved in it too. From open mic nights that showcase unknown artists to collaborative party spaces like hFACTOR, Lagos has been carving out a name for itself for a while as Nigeria's cultural capital. Locations like Bogobiri and Jazzhole give off an innate coolness and proudly display Nigeria's history -- something that LADIPOE loves.

Read LADIPOE's guide to see all of his top art and culture spots to hit up if you want to discover Lagos' cultural hubs and local hang-out spots.

A quirky afrocentric boutique hotel with a small gallery and a serious vinyl collection of vintage Nigerian music. They host an open mic night every Thursday and this is where I first began to hone my skill as a performer. The food is great too.

This was once a prison during colonial times, but it’s now a centre that celebrates art and culture. It’s home to quite a few festivals and live events, but Afropolitan Vibes is the one that offered me and many others a platform to perform to a big crowd of regulars.

It’s hard to describe hFACTOR. It’s this really cool space in the heart of Lagos Island. They often collaborate with different people to throw some amazing parties and you get to meet the most unique characters. It’s a completely different vibe each time.

It’s the tea for me. However, it is first and foremost a library of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and books. The proprietors are also a great source of knowledge about Lagos, and Nigeria in general. Also, as mentioned earlier, the tea is excellent. I performed there once, as a member of a group called the Collectiv3.

So many of us have been excluded from places because of our fashion sense, musical leanings and unique way we present ourselves to the world, but at Island Block Party (and its progenitor - mainland block party), everyone is welcome. My favourite thing about it is the exchange of culture between dissimilar yet like-minds. It’s what makes this monthly party a must to attend. It’s also a great place for upcoming and established acts to perform.

Jazzhole

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