It was impossible not to be captivated by the breathtaking scenery of Bus Stop – the ocean view from the rooftops of Smoke and Mirrors at Admiralty Mall, Lekki. Even before the show commenced, the rehearsals and preparations that evening had already set a lively tone. We were all having a great time.
“Bus Stop” drew its inspiration from the classic bus stops we all recognize, especially in bustling urban centers, where truly, anything can happen. People flocked from various parts of the city, and even outside, to be part of this unique experience – a fusion of live music, entertainment, fashion, and digital experiences.
The artists’ expressions of love and support for each other, and the genuine excitement and connection among the attendees, created a magical, familial atmosphere that felt like a psychedelic dream. Sporting West African Goat merchandise, fans explored the merchandise stands, checking out Paybac Iboro’s line of t-shirts, hoodies, and socks co-created with Nigerian Boys. The carefully curated lineup brought together some of the brightest stars in Nigeria’s alternative music scene, some of whom we will remember for years to come.
A curation of a diverse group of artists
The event kicked off with performances by the talented Seo performing enchanting songs Look Around You and +over, leading to Mo Gunz performing his hot singles No Civility and Numero Uno. Performances were followed by a lively session where artists took turns with the microphone, delivering impressive 16s and 32s. The rooftop venue provided an enchanting backdrop that combined natural beauty with music. Hip-hop artist Labamz, donning a ski mask, took the stage and performed his hard-hitting tracks “Lati Kekere” and “Meek Mill,” receiving thunderous applause from the audience.
The night was a crescendo of diverse sounds and styles, seamlessly blending alternative culture with modernity. DOTTi the Deity, the crooner behind “Forever Sweet,” serenaded the audience with his melodies, incorporating a dynamic live performance with quirky dance moves and an emotional connection.
Moments before the live section was set to begin, the show was abruptly halted due to interference from a government agency. What had started as a legendary night turned into frustration and tears as onlookers watched in shock as armed officials sealed off the venue.
The Return of Bus Stop
As the saying goes, “everything happens for a reason.” A chance video taken by the headliner, Paybac Iboro, found its way onto social media, garnering hundreds of thousands of views and reposts on popular Nigerian blogs. With the support of fans and friends, Bus Stop made its return on October 11th, defying all odds and delighting fans.
The return of Bus Stop was an intimate and memorable experience. It began with an interview with Osai and all his friends, where Charles Majek shared the remarkable story behind “LADOS.” Charles Majek, accompanied by the dance group “The Geng,” performed songs from his EP “The Life and Death of Sixth Cell (LADOS),” including “Depression and Wine” and his hit single “Mick Jagger,” with a choreographed dance routine. “Bad Romance” had fans on their feet, capturing the moment with cameras in the air as Charles delivered a steamy performance amidst sensual dancing and mesmerizing lights.
The stage performances were a kaleidoscope of unique sounds, rap, drill, and electric performances from talented singer Ziggy Machala serenading the audience and fans with her tracks Ginja, Runtown and Medicine from her Medicine Vibes EP. Inviting new performers Tawati of the Tribe Boyz who gave fans a taste of the Victory Lap and Hundr3ds from his BLTN EP, to Y1nka who put on an amazing show with his tracks Doingz and Squeeze, to hip hop star Oba Lurge performing his singles 140 on the Highway, along with unreleased songs featuring Pizzo da LP and the WAG himself Paybac Iboro.
The Great West African Goat
When Paybac Iboro took the stage, the audience was spellbound, and his fans wearing his merchandise joined him on stage to share the moment of triumph. With a stage full of supporters, Iboro delivered a high-energy performance, belting out tracks from the “West African Goat Deluxe” album. It was a sight to behold, as the palpable sense of joy and energy radiated from the stage to the crowd.
The night continued with a high level of energy, and the versatile performer Inart delivered an energetic set featuring his songs, including “Sade Riddim,” “Long Way from Home,” “Favors,” and the well-known “Big Black Sienna,” responding to an encore request from the audience.
SK White took the stage to close off the guest performers’ set, wowing the audience with his explosive energy and vocal range. Charles Majek and the Lagos dance group “The Geng” returned to the stage for their final performance set, running through tracks from Charles’ “LADOS EP,” concluding the night and marking the end of Bus Stop.
The collection launch of Paybac Iboro and Nigerian Boys merch featured hoodies and shirts that we believe is the best artist merch drop of the year in Nigeria – bringing fan experience and artist experience together in a way that created positive shared moments with music. The psychedelic screen visualizations by Isaac X, along with the contributions of our talented friends and guests, the host Osai, and all their friends, our headliner Paybac Iboro, and our very own superstar, Charles Majek – a name that will undoubtedly resonate through the annals of musical history – provided an evening that will leave an indelible mark on Nigeria’s musical landscape, destined to reverberate through history.
The artists who graced the stage will be remembered as architects of a new generation of sound and culture, pioneers of a movement that promises to redefine the future of Nigerian music. Beyond good vibes, Bus Stop was a transcendental experience that ignited the very essence of the Nigerian alternative music scene, reminding people that alternative is a lifestyle, not just a sound.
Supporting artists actively
We extend our gratitude to everyone who made this event possible, including our friends at Corre Design Studio, one of Nigeria’s leading experiential design studios, DayGenius, a hip-hop critic, organizer of Battle Rap Africa, and the Hip Hop Event, and the videographer extraordinaire. Last but not least, WeTalkSound, one of Nigeria’s leading music collectives. It’s Nigerian Boys to the 🌎
Special thanks to Kenbaze and Smoke and Mirrors, Lagos.
Fans can access pictures from the event here.
Shop Paybac Iboro’s West African Goat Collection here