Kehlani is coming to Lagos. The  American R&B singer has been announced as a co-headliner for Coca-Cola Rhythm Unplugged 2026, and she will share the bill with Atlanta rapper Lil Baby.

The show will hold on December 21 at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. Lil Baby was announced first, on October 14, and Kehlani followed on October 16. This will also be Kehlani’s first time performing in Nigeria.

Kehlani, whose full name is Kehlani Ashley Parrish, was born in Oakland, California. She first got noticed in 2011 as part of the group PopLyfe on “America’s Got Talent”. At the 68th Grammy Awards in February, Kehlani won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “Folded”. Those were her first Grammy wins. The song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in January, her biggest solo hit. She later won R&B Song of the Year for it at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Photo: Pinterest/@Kyla

Her self-titled fifth album came out on April 24 through Atlantic Records, on her 31st birthday. One of its singles, “Back and Forth”, features Missy Elliott.

The Kehlani World Tour kicked off on August 6 in Minneapolis, and her European dates end in Manchester on December 10, eleven days before the Lagos show. It runs until February 2027 and has stops in South Africa and Australia.

Brandy, who also features on Kehlani’s new album will headline Flytime’s House of R&B at the same venue on December 20, the opening night of the six-night concert programme. Rhythm Unplugged follows on December 21.

Photo: Instagram/@Kehlani

Rhythm Unplugged started in 2004 and is Nigeria’s longest-running live music concert. The first show was held at Fantasyland in Ikoyi, Lagos, and sold out. Past editions have hosted Megan Thee Stallion and Gunna. Last year, Rema headlined, with Central Cee as special guest.

Further details about the concert are available on the official Rhythm Unplugged website.

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.