Afrobeat Artist Takes Over Dubai’s Expo 2020 With Awesome Performances
ve line-up of performers from Africa rocked the Jubilee Stage on Sunday (27 February), in a concert to honour the African Union at Expo 2020 Dubai. The concert showcased the best in African song and dance, and kept the rhythm and vibe going late into the night.
The event kicked off with Dr Levi Uche Madueke, Commissioner General of African Union Pavilion, taking to the stage. He said: “Expo 2020 Dubai is a testament of collaboration, and we are here to celebrate the beautiful colours and flavours of Africa. Let the beats go on.”
First on stage was Moroccan singer and songwriter Cheikh Oueld Labied, who sang songs of love and culture written especially for his act in Dubai. Next, South African DJ Spoken Priestess mixed Afrobeat’s, and took the crowd on a musical journey of the African continent. She was joined by singer Versatile — together they infused a party vibe and got the crowds dancing to their music.
Internationally-acclaimed Afro-pop duo Mafikizolo performed their best-loved hits, adding pizzazz and rhythm to the evening. This was the South African pair’s second performance at Expo’s global stage. Nominated for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2013, their albums, Reunited and 20, have also won several accolades from the South African Music Awards.
Singer-songwriter Mayorkun brought his Nigerian swagger to the stage, and entertained crowds with his popular singles.
His first album, The Mayor of Lagos, appeared in the Billboard World Album Charts in 2018, peaking at No 15. Multi-award-winning Congolese sensation Fally Ipupa then performed with his lively songs and dance moves. He was named Best Francophone Artist at the MTV Africa Music Awards, and awarded Best Video, in 2010.
Concluding the musical extravaganza was the queen of African street culture, DJ Thuli P, mixing beats on stage combined with African rhythms and contemporary dance tunes.
Earlier on during the day, the African Union marked its Honour Day at Expo 2020 Dubai in a ceremony that celebrated the wealth of culture, heritage and vision across the continent through dance, spoken word and music.
Delroy Constantine-Simms
