EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, multiplatinum artist and producer John Legend gave an unforgettable performance in Lagos, Nigeria.
Legend gave the sold-out Lagos show an incredible headline performance, which featured some of his greatest hits, including "Ordinary People", "PDA", "Green Light", "All of Me" and "Refuge" where he was joined on stage by Simi.
“It’s been too long, I’ve missed you all,” he said. “We’re thankful to Global Citizen and Move Afrika for bringing us back here. We belong together, Lagos. I’m so happy we’re together tonight.”
Throughout the set, he wore outfits by local designers Eleven Sixteen and Orange Culture and a backstage look by Emmy Kasbit. The backing vocalists also wore local designers Elexiay and Wanni Fuga.
The Global Citizen Move Afrika tour took place in Nigeria for the first time and was hosted by media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and featured performances by Simi and DJ Consequence, backdropped by creative work from local designers and artisans.
The first stop on the tour was in Rwanda, Move Afrika: Kigali where Legend also performed. In an interview with BBC, he stood firm on his decision to perform in the country, which is allegedly in support of M23 rebels in the neighbouring country.
"I don't believe that we should punish the people of Rwanda and punish the people of other countries when we disagree with their leaders," he said.
Launched in 2023, Move Afrika is a long-term effort to pioneer the international music touring circuit throughout the continent of Africa, with a dedicated focus on driving economic investment, expanding infrastructure and building local capacity within host cities, creating local jobs, generating skill training and youth entrepreneurship opportunities, and showcasing the best of African creative talent to the world.
Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO, of Global Citizen expressed “Nigeria has an incredibly rich musical heritage, a well-established local entertainment industry, and a cultural influence that reverberates right across the globe.
"We are honored to have added Nigeria to the Move Afrika tour and look forward to returning for the years to come."
This year, Move Afrika took groundbreaking steps by delivering world-class shows working with both local Nigerian and Rwandan crews. Move Afrika: Lagos was delivered with 90 percent local crew, and more than 95 percent local equipment, demonstrating Nigeria’s continent-leading role in delivering world-class productions.
Move Afrika: Kigali increased its local crew from 75percent in 2023 to 90 percent this year, significantly increased locally-sourced technical production, saw local crew members working alongside international technical teams to stage the show, and showcased Rwandan creative excellence through the work of local artisans, including members of the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, who crafted traditional Agaseke peace baskets to complete the dynamic set design.
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