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Azeez Adenekan, popularly known as Lanre Typical, the foremost Nigerian show promoter in the United Arab Emirates, lamented the impact of the visa ban on his nightlife business.
In October, the United Arab Emirates said it would no longer issue visas to Nigeria and 20 other African countries, but gave no reason for the ban.
In the same month, some 542 Nigerians were evacuated from the UAE and arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The show promoter, who for years has been pushing Nigeria’s top African rock artists to perform in Dubai, said the visa ban made him focus on other African countries.
Although he seems to be working more with Amapiano singers, he told PREMIUM TIMES that in the long run he still hopes to bring in Nigerian entertainers.
“I didn’t choose Amapiano over Afrobeats. I’m sure you know that the emirate of Dubai has stopped issuing visas to Nigerians,” he said.
“So, in order to find a solution for myself and continue my business of promoting nightlife in the city and keep myself going, I started bringing Amapiano artists to Dubai because South Africans are not subject to visas.”
Show promoters react to criticism, explaining his love for Amapiano was part of the reason for his decision
He added: “Amapiano and Afrobeats have some similarities. For me, the genre of music is pretty much the same. So, that’s why I’m in South Africa. Once the ban is lifted, I’ll go back to my Afrobeats because that It’s my roots.”
The King of Nightlife in Dubai
The Lagos State University (LASU) computer science graduate said selling Nigerian music to the Gulf state required some hard work.
Explaining how he has played his part in this, he said: “It’s funny, I came to Dubai for a holiday and decided to live here after seeing so many opportunities. When I came to Dubai about ten years ago, entertainment in Nigeria was still low. not that much”.
“I visited the first club frequented by Nigerians and the music wasn’t that good, so I met the manager and gave him some suggestions for improvement. Then I was called into a meeting by the club management in the same week. After hearing After I gave them useful advice, they told me they would like to work with me, and I accepted, and that’s how it started.”
“They paid me weekly for promotions and promotions, which was a good amount of money, and I felt it was worth it, so I decided to stay.”
Lanre, who also runs a blog, explained that his blogging experience has helped his current business.
“I used to be a music artist in my college days. I stopped singing about 16 years ago after starting the entertainment blog Typpylnaija. Ng, influenced by my computer science studies at Lagos State University.”
“My blog was huge and I used the platform to promote artists and then, after moving to Dubai, started promoting Nigerian entertainment in clubs and bringing African artists to perform in the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
African Music Road
In the final months before the visa ban, he flew over a dozen Nigerian and foreign entertainers to Dubai for a mesmerizing show and nightlife experience.
Before visa restrictions, he brought Davido, Naira Marley, Zlatan, Mohbad, Kcee, Portable, Ice Prince, Ceeza Milli, A-Star, Ckay, it’s called savageMayorkun, Skiibii and Ntosh Gazi from South Africa etc.
In November alone, the acclaimed ‘King of Nightlife Dubai’ hosts top entertainers such as Ramz, Lax, Costa Titch, Walshy Fire and more.
Also read: Meet Goya Menor, the artist behind the viral “Ameno” Amapiano remix
Nigerian music, especially Afrobeats, has become a phenomenon not only on the African continent but spreading to other continents as well. He also revealed that residents of Dubai have embraced Nigerian music, saying it has caught on like wildfire.
Highlighting his love for Afrobeats, “Afrobeats is, as we all know, one of the biggest genres in the world right now. Everyone loves it, and now it’s widely accepted. In Dubai, all the clubs are rocking.”
Explaining the increased demand for Afrobeats, he said: “Every club has or wants an Afrobeat night, and a few years ago they weren’t proud of it. Afrobeats have taken over all the clubs in Dubai. A few have taken it Nigerian music. I feel if there is consistency, it will remain mainstream for a long time to come,”
Kevin Lyttle, Focalistic, Camidoh, DBN GOGO, Felo Tee, Goya Menor and Serani, among others, have been released in the city.
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