DAVIDO'S NATIONAL THEATRE RESIDENCY IN LAGOS TO REDEFINE AFRICAN VENUES AS WORLD-CLASS HUBS. (PHOTO).

 Davido's National Theatre Residency in Lagos to Redefine African Venues as World-Class Hubs

Afrobeats superstar Davido is gearing up for a monumental three-night residency at the newly renovated National Theatre in Lagos, Nigeria, scheduled from December 17 to 19. The acclaimed artist stated his ambition for this event: to demonstrate that African musicians can produce global music spectacles on their home turf, significantly contributing to the local economy and championing Nigerian culture on an international stage.

Bringing Success Back Home

The 34-year-old singer emphasized the profound importance of channeling his international achievements back to Nigeria. "Bringing everything back home is very important for the culture," Davido told reporters, explaining that the concept gained traction after his extensive African tour last year, his first in eight years. He found immense creative stimulus during this period, remarking, "This kind of feels better doing it from where you’re actually from." He further committed to his local fanbase, asserting, "I don’t ever want to take that kind of break again away from my fans back home."

A Vision for Cultural and Economic Impact

Davido’s vision for the Lagos residency is partly inspired by the success of Bad Bunny's residency in Puerto Rico, which transformed the island into a major tourist attraction, generating substantial revenue and promoting local culture. Davido envisions a similar impact for Lagos, attracting international visitors, especially during the festive "Detty December" period when Nigerians in the diaspora and foreign tourists flock to the city for various events. He highlighted the rich pool of talent in Lagos, stating, "The talent in Lagos is mind-blowing. Talent is like water in Lagos." The residency will feature performances from his latest album, “Oriadé,” alongside his greatest hits and appearances from collaborating artists.

Showcasing Africa's Premier Facilities

A crucial element of Davido's plan is the selection of the historic National Theatre, which has undergone extensive renovation. He likened the venue to New York's iconic Madison Square Garden, calling it "our own MSG kind of thing." This choice is deliberate, aimed at projecting Nigeria's sophisticated infrastructure to the world. "It’s very important that we show the outside world that we have these kinds of facilities in Africa as well," Davido affirmed. "We’re really showing people that we can do this ourselves."

Nurturing Local Audiences and Opportunities

While acknowledging that the global rise of Afrobeats has opened lucrative opportunities for African artists to perform worldwide, Davido stressed the importance of not neglecting the domestic audience. He noted a trend where artists might "get a hit and run to America, run to the UK, run to the Middle East and do shows." However, he maintains that bringing grand productions home is vital for cultural continuity. Despite potential differences in earnings compared to overseas performances, Davido believes that major local productions can foster numerous job opportunities and infuse the same energy and ambition into Nigerian audiences. He offered advice to emerging artists: "Don’t forget where you started. These are the fans. If not for these fans, we wouldn’t be here." This residency marks a significant development for Afrobeats in Nigeria, building on earlier, smaller residencies like Adekunle Gold's in 2018.