Music In Africa celebrates Nigerian Music anniversary at Social Media Week

The first Nigerian Popular Music recordings were made in London, in 1925, by two pioneers, Felix Ladipo Solanke, a Lawyer and political activist and Justus Domingo, a professional musician. Both of these recordings were on the Zonophone Record label of the RCA-Victor Group. Solanke's motivation was to ensure the spread of African culture, with his renditions of Yoruba Folk songs and popular urban anthems from Yoruba-land, in a series of sessions at the Zonophone Studio in West London. Domingo on the other hand, an Afro-Brazilian from Lagos, recorded a series of Lagos urban anthems, interspersed with  Yoruba Folk-songs, under the same label, more motivated towards practising his trade as a Singer and Guitarist. Domingo was also featured on backing vocals on recordings by Ghanaian performers at around the same period, 1925-1927.

These two gentlemen were the first Nigerians to record Popular Music, although the distinction of the first Nigerian to record a music album rests with the Reverend Josiah Ransome Kuti, grandfather of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, who recorded an album of Choral Music in 1922. Music In Africa thus seeks to celebrate this incredible milestone in Nigerian music, with a fitting tribute, at the Lagos edition of the global Social Media Week event. This being an annual event, which brings together Social Media and Online communities, from all over the world, in city-focused events.

The event titled aptly a "A celebration of 90 years of Nigerian Popular Music", shall hold at  630pm, on Wednesday 25 February 2015, at the Goethe Institut, 4th Floor, City Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos. The event shall feature presentations from a number of important and highly knowledgable stakeholders in the Nigerian Music Industry, who shall trace the Industry's journey over the last 90 years. Confirmed speakers include, veteran Broadcaster, Radio Jockey and Music Historian, Benson Idonije, Blogger, Music Historian and Producer - Uchenna Ikonne and other speakers, shortly to be confirmed. There shall then be an interactive discussion with the theme, 'The Journey so far: Bridging the past with the future' In which contributions shall be taken, not just from the live physical audience, but from Interactive Social Media Platforms, based on live tweets and other online updates.

The event shall also honour living legends of Nigerian Music, who have contributed to not just its growth, but have laid the foundations for its future. The event promises to be one of the most informative and engaging Industry events. Confirmed special guests include, Obi Asika, Chairman of Social Media Week, Lagos and former Chairman of Dragon Africa and Storm 360, Mr Dejumo Lewis, President of the Highlife Club of Nigeria, veteran Producer and Musicologist Mr Chris Ajilo, Mr Tam Fiofori, globally respected Music Journalist, former Editor of Downbeat Magazine and Artiste Manager of the legendary Sun Ra, amongst others.

All friends and followers of Music in Africa, are invited and the event is free, however space is limited, hence early registration is highly recommended. We look forward to seeing you all there.