Music icon Akeju’s LOUD IN AFRICA Rocks New York as Flavour Thrills Fans

  

 Nigerian highlife star, Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, delivered an electrifying performance as the LOUD IN AFRICA Concert Series took over Racket NYC in Manhattan, New York.

The concert, held on Friday, August 14, 2026, attracted a large audience comprising members of the African diaspora, music lovers and international culture enthusiasts who gathered for a night of African music, dance and cultural celebration.

Flavour, widely recognised as the “King of Highlife,” headlined the sold-out event, treating the audience to a selection of his popular songs while combining traditional highlife sounds with contemporary Afrobeats.

From the opening moments of his performance, the singer had the crowd singing and dancing along as he delivered a series of crowd favourites and showcased the live performance style that has made him one of Africa’s prominent music acts.

The concert, held at 431 West 16th Street, also featured performances from a diverse lineup of African and diaspora entertainers.

Among those who took the stage were Naomi Achu, Prince Bright of Buk Bak, Bruck Up, popularly known as Mr. Excitement, 2Cent, Unathi Nkayi and Nkumu Katalayi.

Nollywood actress Mercy Macjoe also made a special guest appearance, adding a touch of Nigerian film culture to the celebration of African entertainment.

The event was organised by LOUD IN AFRICA, an initiative focused on promoting African music, culture and entertainment to audiences around the world.

Speaking after the concert, Founder of LOUD IN AFRICA, Abass Mubarak Akeju, expressed appreciation to the performers, fans and other stakeholders who contributed to the success of the event.

Akeju said the concert demonstrated the ability of African music to connect people across geographical and cultural boundaries.

“What we witnessed tonight at Racket NYC is proof that African music is a universal language that breaks all barriers,” Akeju said.

He added, “Flavour and all our incredible supporting artists didn't just put on a show; they created a home away from home for the diaspora.”

According to him, LOUD IN AFRICA would continue to provide platforms for African artistes and creatives to showcase their talents while promoting the continent’s cultural heritage internationally.

“LOUD IN AFRICA will continue to champion this movement, creating spaces where our culture can thrive loudly and proudly on the global stage,” he said.

The New York concert further highlighted the growing global appetite for African music and entertainment, particularly among audiences across the African diaspora.

Industry observers described the event as one of the notable African music concerts staged in New York during the summer, noting its role in connecting African performers with audiences in North America.

With Flavour’s headline performance and appearances from artistes and entertainers across different parts of Africa and the diaspora, the event reinforced the growing influence of African music and culture on the international entertainment scene.