YouTube announced its “#Stay Home… #WithMe” online festival taking place this weekend, Saturday March 28th and Sunday the 29th. The online festival, which will be free of charge for fans, will host live performances from several South African, Nigerian and Ghanaian artists including Reekado Banks, Gigi Lamayne, Asa, Skales, Nadia Nakai and many others.
While the entire world reels from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, artists in particular have been hard hit by social distancing measures. OkayAfrica caught up with several artists to speak about the personal impact of the outbreak on their scheduled performances, studio time and most importantly, their pockets.
At least 46 African countries have confirmed cases of coronavirus. The total number of coronavirus cases on the continent now stands at over 2400 with at least 60 reported deaths. As a result, many governments have put in place strict travel restrictions, border closures as well as lockdowns of varying severity. Read our updated coverage of coronavirus presence in Africa here.
The music industry also suffered a mighty blow earlier this week with the passing of Cameroonian jazz legend Manu Dibango. Dibango died in a hospital just outside of Paris, France after having tested positive for the coronavirus.
And so with millions of people having to spend an indefinite amount of time indoors, YouTube’s “Stay Home #WithMe” festival is the perfect way for fans to reconnect with their favourite artists while providing a much-needed moment of relief to keep the inevitable blues away.
View the full list of artists who are set to perform and their set times below.
The “#Stay Home… #WithMe” Festival Schedule
Where and when to see your favourite African acts live on Youtube
Alpha P
Watch the live show on Alpha P’s Youtube channel
In his King of Wolves EP, the 17 year-old singer and songwriter from Benin City, Nigeria born Princewill Emmanuel mixes many of the current sounds in Nigerian music—mid-tempo Afrobeats bangers reminiscent of Wizkid and Burna Boy—with trap-influences. The track “More” sounds like it could fit in a playlist of SoundCloud rappers.
When to see Alpha P Live?
Saturday March 28th
2 PM WAT
3 PM SAST
4 PM EAT
Oluwadamilola
Watch the live show on Oluwadamilola’s Youtube channel
The Nigerian newcomer Oluwadamilola Tella was the winner of the first Talent HQ—a talent showcase for musicians and comedians in Lagos. She’s released music two videos; Hello and Sunny Day produced by OluMix.
When to see Oluwadamilola Live?
Saturday March 28th
3 PM WAT
4 PM SAST
5 PM EAT
Jeff Akoh
Watch the livestream show on Jeff Akoh’s Youtube channel
The Abuja-born singer Jeff Akoh makes romantic music with videos to match. His big break came in 2015 during season 8 of Project Fame West Africa which he won at the age of 18. In 2018 he released the EP “I Do.” Its lead single, also “I Do” has more than 2 million views on Youtube. Although we’re kind of hoping he plays his 2017 “Maroon 5-esque” hit Shokolokobangoshe.
When to see Jeff Akoh Live?
Saturday March 28th
4:30 PM WAT
5:30 PM SAST
6:30 PM EAT
Nadia Nakai
Watch Nadia Nakai perform live on her Youtube channel
Nadia Nakai won the AFRIMA award last year for Best Female Artist—Southern Africa Region but as far as South African rappers go she’s one of South Africa’s best, period. Last year we wrote:
“For her debut album, titled Nadia Naked, Nadia Nakai gives her listener more than just bravado in the form of chest-punching raps. In some songs, the South African/Zimbabwean rapper tells the story of the person behind the feisty and intimidating character that is Nadia Nakai as we all know her.”
When?
Sunday March 29th
3:00 PM WAT
4:00 PM SAST
5:00 PM EAT
Timi Dakolo
Checkout Timi Dakolo’s Youtube channel here
With his deep texture voice, Nigeria’s “King of Soul” won Idols West Africa in 2007 and has been a favorite for songs like “The Vow” and “Iyawo Mi” ever since.
When?
Sunday March 29th
4:00 PM WAT
5:00 PM SAST
6:00 PM EAT
Bez Idakula
Watch the livestream of Bez Idakula’s performance on his Youtube channel
Bez Idakula’s song “Far Away” made our list of best Nigerian songs of August 2019. We wrote:
“The song’s connecting tissue of American soul and afropop is captured in its lyric: “hope say I dey make a little bit of sense,” as in the seamless combination of genres which blends an electric guitar with heaving conga drums and back-up vocals typical on Fela’s Afrobeat.”
When?
Sunday March 29th
5:00 PM WAT
6:00 SAST
7:00 EAT
Asa
Watch the livestream of Asa’s show live on her Youtube channel
Five years after her releasing her last album, “Bed of Stone,” Asa came out last year with a new album, “Lucid,” to rave reviews. Upon premiering her video “The Beginning” a year ago Okayplayer wrote:
“Whether its borders or genres, Asa’s music knows no bounds. The Paris-born, Lagos-bred Nigerian singer-songwriter and multi-platinum selling recording artist fuses indie pop, jazz, and soft-soul, incorporating inspirations from Sade, Fela Kuti, Billie Holliday, Miriam Makeba, King Sunny Adé, The Beatles, and Lenny Kravitz.
When can I see Asa’s livestream?
Sunday March 29th
6:00 PM WAT
7:00 PM SAST
8:00 PM EAT
Simi
Watch the livestream of Simi’s show live on her Youtube channel
In 2018 Simi made OkayAfrica’s 100 Women list honoring exceptional African women. We wrote about her:
“Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye, or simply Simi, knows sound. The Nigeria-born singer and songwriter is also a self-taught sound engineer who has mixed and mastered her own music. Simi’s self-sufficiency got her ahead of the curve and into a class by herself. But her artistry was never typical; she has always been thoughtful about developing her style. That experimentation can be heard on her first album, 2008’s gospel driven independent release Ogaju. The mixture of hip-hop, R&B and African inflections was one not heard before, but she continued to strive for the sound she has today.”
When?
Sunday March 29th
7:00 PM WAT
8:00 PM SAST
9:00 PM EAT
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