NATIVELAND is an annual music festival in

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

, and organized by ''

The Native ''The Native'' (stylized in all caps) is a Nigerian-based music magazine publishing in Lagos. Founded in 2016, ''The Native'' focuses primarily on music, style, and art, championing the sounds and culture of tomorrow: today. History ''The NA ...

''. The platform was established to bring together the best of pop culture, music, art, food, style, sports, and education in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

History

NATIVELAND is produced and organized by

. It was created to bring together the best of pop culture, music, art, food, style, sports, and education in the Nigerian entertainment industry. The event is held annually at Muri Okunola Park, in

2016: First edition

On 22 December 2016, the first edition was held and powered by

Ndani TV Ndani TV is a web-based channel owned by GTBank. History Ndani TV was established in 2012 by GTBank to offer both entertainment and informative content in order to attract a youthful customer base. It was the first online video content vehi ...

. The concert was headlined by

Skepta Chief Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. (born 19 September 1982), known professionally as Skepta, is a British-Nigerian grime MC, rapper and record producer. Alongside his younger brother Jme, he briefly joined Roll Deep before they became founding ...

, and

Burna Boy Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (born 2 July 1991), known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album, '' L.I ...

and featured guess performances from,

Ycee Oludemilade Martin Alejo (born January 29, 1993), known professionally as Ycee (also stylized as YCee), is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He gained popularity after his single "Condo", which features vocals by Patoranking, earned him ...

, Ajebutter 22,

Maleek Berry Maleek Shoyebi (born 11 August 1987), professionally known as Maleek Berry, is a British-Nigerian record producer and recording artist. After his break into the spotlight in 2012, Maleek Berry was nominated as "Music Producer of the Year" at the ...

, Fresh L, DAP The Contract, Odunsi (The Engine),

Cruel Santino Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu, better known by his stage name Cruel Santino, is a Nigerian alternative singer-songwriter, rapper, creative director, filmmaker, and music video director. He is a member of Monster Boys collective, with music producers G ...

, and

Lady Donli Zainab Elizabeth Donli, known as Lady Donli, is a Nigerian musician. She is an alternative R&B, hip hop, alternative jazz and Afrobeat singer and songwriter. Biography Lady Donli was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She is the youngest of six childr ...

. At the first edition, the music group

DRB LasGidi DRB LasGidi (previously known as "Rap Royals") is a Nigerian musical group. It was formed in 2007 by Tobi Ajayi, Tobenna Ofili, and Ladi Lanre. Teniola Zaccheaus joined later. History Rap Royals officially kicked off with rapping and singing. T ...

, united on stage.

2017: Second edition

On 22 December 2017, the second edition was held, and headlined by

Kojo Funds Errol Kojo Bellot, better known professionally as Kojo Funds ( ; born 30 March 1995), is a British singer-songwriter and rapper. His music blends West African and Caribbean sounds with road rap, dancehall and pop. Kojo Funds featured on Yxng B ...

Davido David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), popularly known by his stage name Davido, is an American-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. His music blends traditional African elements with global mainstream pop. Davido is widel ...

Nonso Amadi Nonso Amadi (born September 1, 1995) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer. He is a self-taught songwriter and music producer who embarked on his music career in 2012, while at Covenant University, where he studied chemical engineeri ...

, Tekno,

Not3s Lukman Olanrewaju Odunaike (born 17 April 1998), better known by his stage name Not3s (pronounced Notes), is a British singer-songwriter, rapper and actor from Hackney, London. His songs include "My Lover" and "Fine Line", both of which are colla ...

Mayorkun Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel (born 23 March 1994), known professionally as Mayorkun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and pianist. He released a cover of Davido's "The Money" single and was discovered by the singer on Twitter. Mayorkun was signed to ...

and

Yxng Bane Larry Cummings Kiala, better known by his stage name Yxng Bane (pronounced "young bane"), is a British rapper, singer and songwriter from East London. Early and personal life Kiala grew up in Custom House, an industrial district of East London' ...

, with guess performances from, Fasina, Fresh L, Mobblanta, No Politics Mob, Kazeem Twins, Yinka Bernie, AYLØ,

, Barelyanyhook, Dice Ailes,

Ladipoe Ladipo Eso popularly known as Ladipoe or Poe is a Nigerian Rapper & musician. On 28 February 2017, Ladipoe signed a record deal with Mavin Records. He rose to prominence with the song "Feel Alright" where he got featured by SDC "Show Dem Camp". H ...

, Prettyboy D-O, DJ Aye,

Wavy The Creator Jennifer Ejoke, professionally known as Wavy the Creator (stylized as Wavy The Creator), is a recording artist, photographer, fashion designer and film-maker, born in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria and raised in the United States. She is best known for ...

, Odunsi, Blackmagic,

Santi Santi is used as: People with the surname * Brenden Santi (born 1993), Australian-Italian rugby league player * Domenico Santi (1621–1694), also known as il Mengazzino, Italian painter * Emanuele Santi, Italian economist and political scienti ...

, Ajebutter22, BOJ, and SDC.

2018: Third edition

The third edition was held with Odunsi, PrettyBoy D-O, and

as special guests, with additional performances from

Wande Coal Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe (born 18 October 1985), popularly known as Wande Coal, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Early life Wande Coal was born on 18 October 1985 in Lagos Island, Lagos state, Nigeria, to Chief Ibukun Olufunto and Omolara ...

Runtown Douglas Jack Agu (born 19 August 1989), better known by his stage name Runtown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer. Biography Runtown was born on 19 August 1989 in Enugu but grew up partly in Abuja and Lagos, where he finished his ...

, Sababii, Falana, and Teni.

2019: Fourth edition

At the fourth edition, the festival added a day for panels titled NATIVE HOUSE, which invited music industry insiders from various sects and artists from Nigeria and the African Diaspora. To discuss topics ranging from the migration of contemporary African music, visual art, and the international music interest in African music. The festival feature guess performs from

Naira Marley Azeez Adeshina Fashola (born 10 May 1991), known professionally as Naira Marley, is a British-Nigerian singer and song writer. He is known as the president of his controversial fan base, "Marlians". Education At the age of 11, he moved to Pec ...

, Santi, Rema,

Tems Temilade Openiyi (born 11 June 1995), known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer. She rose to prominence after she was featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence," which reached the top ten of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 after the releas ...

Joeboy Joseph Akinwale (born 21 May 1997), known professionally as Joeboy, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Mr Eazi of the record label emPawa Africa discovered him in 2017. His musical genres are Afro-pop and R&B. He was born in Lagos State, Nigeri ...

Fireboy DML Adedamola Adefolahan (born 5 February 1996), known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer. He is signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by Nigerian rapper Olamide. His debut studio album ''Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps'' was ...

, Buju, Gigi Atlantis, SOMADINA, Cuppy, Maison 2500, DJ Femo and more. With additional music provided by

NATIVE Sound System NATIVE Sound System is a British radio show, based in London, and hosted by Sholzstilltippin, and Addy Edgal. It currently airs every Friday at 5PM, on NTS Radio. The show showcase up and coming African music talents, with the aim to document Af ...

resident DJs Bristar and Vvada.

and

Koffee Victoria Simpson (born 16 February 2000), better known as Koffee, is a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, rapper, and guitarist from Spanish Town, Jamaica. She released her debut single "Burning" in 2017, and in 2019 signed with Columbia Record ...

did not perform, due to the security at the VIP entrance was breached by fans.

2021: Fifth edition

On 22 December 2021, NSS hosted the fifth edition of NATIVELAND, titled NATIV5 at Harbour Point Marquee. To celebrate the fifth anniversary of

. The music concert was headlined by Rema,

Amaarae } Ama Serwah Genfi, known professionally as Amaarae, is a Ghanaian singer known for her work around representation of gender and race in music. After collaborating with local artists and putting out a few non-album singles, she released her debut ...

, Styl-Plus, Teezee, SGaWD, and

Lojay Lekan Osifeso Jnr. (born 28 April 1996) popularly known as Lojay, is a Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter and performing artist. He peaked at number 8 on the '' billboard U.S. afrobeats songs chart'' with his song ''Monalisa'', in which he ...

, with guess performances from, Odunsi,

Ayra Starr Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe (born 14 June 2002), known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer. She was born in Cotonou, Benin. Ayra Starr began a fashion career at the age of 16 with Quove Model Management before deciding to pursue ...

, Wale Davies, and

References

{{reflist, 2 2016 establishments in Nigeria Festivals established in 2016 Music festivals in Lagos Electronic music festivals in Nigeria Festivals in Lagos Music festivals in Nigeria