Make Music Lagos celebrates its 10th year with workshops, live shows, and its mission to foster Nigerian talent at scale.
Make Music Lagos hit a major milestone this year, its 10th anniversary—bringing together music fans, creators, and professionals for a week of celebration across the city.
The event took an extra exciting turn when singer-songwriter Drille took center stage, reuniting with festival-goers and reminding Lagosians why this platform matters.
Launched in 2016 as part of the global Make Music Day initiative, the festival has evolved from a one-day event to a week-long celebration held across multiple venues in Lagos.
Over that time, it has nurtured local talent and showcased cultural diversity, mixing genres like Afrobeat, jazz, hip‑hop, gospel, and classical.
This year, Make Music Lagos invited MI and Johnny Drille to curate performances at the Shut Down Concert, a major finale show themed around connection and creativity.
Johnny Drille, known for his soulful fusion style, delivered captivating renditions of fan favorites including “My Beautiful Love” and newer tracks from his evolving discography.
Attendees described the atmosphere as electric.
An immersive blend of soulful sets and heartfelt moments.
The festival’s heart, however, lies in its grassroots components: free public workshops, masterclasses, rap battles, pop‑up worship nights, and an industry‑focused conference on collaboration and creative partnerships.
This year’s Music Business Conference featured seasoned executives such as Tega Oghenejobo (Mavin Records), Cobhams Asuquo (producer), and Jade Osiberu (film director), discussing artist-brand collaboration and the future of the Nigerian music economy.
For emerging artists, these sessions offered direct access to top-level expertise.
Other highlights included the My Song Is Your Song event—a global song swap where artists recreate each other’s music in their own style, and beginner-friendly musical instrument workshops held in public spaces, helping everyday people engage with the craft
Make Music Lagos feels like more than just a festival, it’s a movement.
