American rapper Lil Baby has been confirmed as a headliner for the 2026 edition of Flytime Coca-Cola Rhythm Unplugged, scheduled for December 21 at Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. The event is part of Lagos’ annual Detty December celebrations.

In a video shared by the concert organisers in October, Lil Baby addressed Nigerian fans and confirmed the date of his performance. He also directed viewers to the event’s official website for more information. His booking adds an international hip-hop act to Flytime Promotions’ December programme, which attracts music fans to Lagos during the festive season.

Photo: Instagram/@lilnetwork

Born Dominique Armani Jones, Lil Baby gained attention in 2017 with mixtapes including Harder Than Hard and Too Hard. His popularity grew the following year with the release of his debut studio album, Harder Than Ever. The project featured Yes Indeed, his collaboration with Canadian rapper Drake, which became one of his early hits and helped introduce his music to a wider audience.

The December show will mark another appearance in Nigeria for Lil Baby, who performed at a Christmas event in Lagos in 2018. He later collaborated with Nigerian singer Davido on So Crazy, released in 2020 as part of Davido’s album A Better Time. The collaboration connected the American rapper with Nigeria’s music scene.

Photo: Instagram/@alqais_music

Founded by Cecil Hammond in 2004, Flytime Promotions organises Rhythm Unplugged as part of its annual concert programme. The event has hosted Nigerian acts and international performers, making it a regular feature of Lagos’ December entertainment calendar.

Lil Baby’s announcement comes after Flytime confirmed American R&B singer Brandy for its House of R&B concert on December 20, a day before Rhythm Unplugged. The two shows will bring different genres to the programme, with Brandy representing R&B and Lil Baby headlining the hip-hop offering.

Nigerian media entrepreneur Mo Abudu has opened EbonyLife Place London, a cultural centre dedicated to African and Black cinema. The venue officially opened on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in south-west London. Its 160-seat cinema, known as the Amani Auditorium, will screen Nollywood productions and films from across Africa and the Black diaspora.

The Amani Auditorium will showcase films from Nigeria and other African countries, as well as stories about Black experiences in Britain, the Caribbean and the United States. Its programme will include film premieres, industry discussions, masterclasses and live performances. Positioned as the UK’s first cinema dedicated exclusively to African and Black films, the venue offers filmmakers a place to reach audiences.

Photo: Instagram/@blackthingsuk

Beyond the cinema, the centre also houses The Afrobeat Restaurant, Fèhìntí Lounge and Maji Concession and Bar. At Zuri Retail, visitors will find fashion, jewellery, design and lifestyle products from African and diaspora designers. The Living Wall Gallery adds an art element to the venue, with contemporary African and diaspora art and photography on display.

Abudu’s decision to establish the centre is partly shaped by her childhood experiences in England. Speaking to AFP before the opening, the EbonyLife founder recalled having limited opportunities to watch Black films when she was younger. She said she wanted to create a place where audiences could experience African stories told by the people who understand them, rather than rely on outside portrayals of the continent.

Photo: Instagram/@moabudu

“It’s time to tell our own stories,” Abudu told AFP, describing her aim to introduce international audiences to African culture. The cinema will also give filmmakers a chance to present their work to London audiences.

The London opening follows the launch of EbonyLife Place in Lagos in 2019, which combines entertainment, hospitality and cultural activities.

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr brought Afrobeats to the NFL’s international stage on Sunday, October 11, 2026, performing ‘Rush’ and ‘Heaven Baby’ during halftime of the Philadelphia Eagles’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The performance took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the singer became the first African artist to headline a halftime show at an NFL International Game.

Ayra Starr opened her set with ‘Heaven Baby’ before performing some of her other songs, including ‘Santa’, ‘Hot Body’, ‘Rush’ and ‘Dangerous’. She performed on a temporary stage at the centre of the stadium, bringing her music to spectators attending the American football fixture. The set featured songs from different points in her catalogue, giving the London audience an opportunity to experience her music beyond the streaming platforms.

Photo: Instagram/@hernetworkonline

Her appearance was part of the NFL’s expanded entertainment programme for its 2026 International Games. The league announced her as the headline performer in August, confirming that she would perform during the Eagles-Jaguars matchup. The 2026 programme includes seven halftime shows across seven countries and four continents as the NFL continues to stage regular-season games outside the United States.

‘Heaven Baby’ featured on Ayra Starr’s third studio album, Starrgirl, released on August 14, 2026. The album includes collaborations with British singer ZAYN, American singer Leon Thomas and Nigerian musician Wizkid. Her London performance came less than a week after the official music video for ‘Heaven Baby’ was released on October 5, giving the song another prominent platform during the album’s promotional period.

Photo: Instagram/@hernetworkonline

Meanwhile, ‘Rush’, released in 2022, remains one of the defining releases of Starr’s career. The song earned her a nomination in the Best African Music Performance category at the 2024 Grammy Awards, introducing her to a wider international audience. She received a second nomination in the same category in 2026 for ‘Gimme Dat’, her collaboration with Wizkid.

Ahead of the London appearance, Starr said she was excited to perform at the NFL halftime show and described bringing Starrgirl to the league’s global stage as a dream come true. NFL executive Tim Tubito also highlighted the singer’s connection with London audiences and the growing presence of African music in the international music scene.

Her appearance marked a historic moment for African music at the NFL International Games, bringing her songs to the London audience during one of the league’s regular-season fixtures.

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