MOST AFROBEAT enthusiasts are very likely to be aware of who YCEE is. The young and charismatic Lagos-based afrobeats rapper/ singer has taken the scene by the scruff of the neck and pretty much dominated the afro charts with hits like ‘Jagaban’, ‘Omo Alhaji’ ‘Condo’ and No. 1 hit single ‘JUICE’.
In fact, the track featuring award-winning producer Maleek Berry was such a hit that it seemed befitting that he named his first European headline show ‘The JUICE Concert’. Teaming up with SMADE entertainment, 24-year-old Oludemilade Martin Alejo delivered a show that left the audience beaming at what they had witnessed for just £20.
YCEE was also supported by Eugy, Sona, Ms Banks, label mate and Tiny Entertainment’s fi rst lady, Bella, and rising star Flosha. One would have been pleased with the performances at the 800-capacity O2 Academy in Islington if the performances stopped there.
But in line with the craze that Wizkid and Davido showcased over the holiday season by bringing on surprise acts at their respective concerts, YCEE had to follow suit.
SERENADE
In the mist of YCEE’s first round of performances where he opened up with ‘Jagaban’, he welcomed Tjan and further down the line had the Birmingham duo Lotto Boyzz performing their hit single ‘No Don’. Then it was Falz who performed his rap single ‘Something Light’. You would be pleased if YCEE left it there, right?
In between delivering ‘Don’t Need Bae’ and ‘On A Low’, the Festac Town boy found some time to serenade a young fan in the audience that left a lot of other young girls around her looking on in envy. The award-winning artist continued with ‘Condo’ and ‘Su Mi’, while fans anticipated his headline song.
To the elation of most of the sold out arena, he had one last trick up his sleeve with the in troduction of Afrobeats global heavyweight Wizkid. The audience screamed uncontrollably as the star boy was introduced performing hit single ‘Manya’.
He rounded up the show with the track ‘Juice’ from his 2017 released debut EP, ‘The First Wave’. Ironically, it was this track that knocked Wizkid’s ‘Come Closer’ featuring Drake and Davido’s ‘If’ from the No. 1 spot on the iTunes chart last year.
The concert’s official DJ was DJ Yung Milli from The Beat London and was hosted by energetic presenter Adesope, also of The Beat London. Some notable guests were Nigerian comedian Basket Mouth and Krept and Konan DJ/manager ‘Dr Cosmic’, as well as the UK’s afrobeat duo YFS.
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