Veteran Nigerian musician D’banj has announced plans for a collaborative music tour with fellow Afrobeats icons, 2Baba (formerly 2Face Idibia) and Timaya.
The entertainer shared this during a recent conversation on Adesope Live in London, where he expressed enthusiasm about teaming up with his long-time industry peers for what promises to be a memorable experience.
D’banj reflected on the rise of Afrobeats, tracing its journey from regional popularity in West Africa during the early 2000s and 2010s to its present-day global appeal. He credited the genre’s pioneers—both artists and industry stakeholders—for their efforts and acknowledged the African diaspora for playing a crucial role in taking Afrobeats to the world stage.
According to him, the upcoming tour will celebrate not only their individual contributions to the genre but also the worldwide impact of Afrobeats.
“I was on a call with Timaya recently and he said, ‘Banger, enough with the entrepreneurship, it’s time to return to the stage.’ I agreed with him,” D’banj recounted. “I also spoke with 2Baba, and we decided to hit the road together. All three of us—myself, 2Baba, and Timaya—have impressive catalogs, and there’s enough space in the industry for everyone. So yes, a tour is happening.”
He also revealed an upcoming collaboration with 2Baba titled “Feeling Good,” hinting that the track might serve as the theme for the tour, which he described as a way to appreciate long-time fans.
“Looking back at the last 20 years, everything has changed,” he said. “Today, Afrobeats is everywhere. But I remember a time in London when it wasn’t trendy to be Nigerian. People preferred to identify with Jamaican culture. Now, African music is in nearly every UK film—it’s a huge transformation.”
D’banj concluded by applauding not just the musicians but the broader African diaspora community for their role in bringing African music to the global spotlight.
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