Afro Nation Portugal 2023 has announced the addition of main stage headliners Wizkid and Davido, as well as other fresh stars including Little Simz, Popcaan and Focalistic – all joining the world’s greatest roster of Afrobeats and Amapaino this summer.
Coming to the picturesque Portimao beach on 28-30th June, Afro Nation has a star-studded lineup already boasting the likes of Burna Boy, 50 Cent, Booba, Aya Nakamura, Fireboy DML, Asake, Arya Starr, Black Sherif, Oxlade, Dadju and Ms Banks to mention a few. Suddenly the Star Boy himself attends the celebration once again. With his silky vocals and enticing sounds, the Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling worldwide superstar Wizkid heads to Afro Nation Portugal to play innumerable songs like ‘Essence’, ‘Mighty Wine’ and ‘Blessed’ for the adoring fans.
Wizkid has just joined fellow Afro Nation Portugal 2023 headliner Burna Boy, in becoming the first African musicians to take on UK Stadium headlining gigs in 2023. Wizkid’s ‘More Love, Less Ego’ tour is bringing the musician to new heights only two years after his record-breaking sell-out London O2 Arena gigs on the ‘Made In Lagos’ tour – which The Evening Standard called “a victory for African music’s more globalised reach”.
Davido, meantime, has earned a reputation as one of the most vibrant and original singers in the Nigerian music industry, noted for his addictive melodies and equally captivating onstage enthusiasm. With his return to the stage eagerly awaited this summer, expect another crowning moment with the crowd chanting along to every word, as the feel-good party king serves out all his songs including ‘Fall’, ‘If’ and ‘Skelewu’.
BRIT Award-winning lyricist Little Simz also travels out to the Algarve, to excite the audience with singles from her breakthrough new albums ‘Sometimes I May Be Introvert’ and ‘NO THANK YOU’, along with her legendary anthems like ‘Venom’, ‘101FM’ and ‘Boss’. Always brave and thought-provoking, Simz has been earning honour after accolade in recent years and next up is another occasion to relish as she makes her Afro Nation debut. The renowned dancehall legend Popcaan will also be rolling up to Portugal this summer to spice things up with his most scorching tunes including ‘Only Guy She Wants’, ‘Party Shot’ and ‘When You Wine Like that
And that’s not all. Another one of Amapiano’s finest Focalistic is confirmed as a key figure on this year’s Piano People stage, following the strength of his London headlining concert at the start of this month.
Kamo Mphela, Felo Ła Tee, Sir Trill and Skyla Tylaa will also be participating among many South African luminaries, including as previously announced headliners Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz and Uncle Waffles, plus so many DJs and artists behind the world’s most exciting sounds right now. Powerhouse Musa Keys, famous singer Young Stunna, acclaimed queen of genre DBN Gogo, trailblazer Vigro Deep, “future ghetto punk” superstar Moonchild Sanelly and many more will all be bringing the heat and churning up the sand with all the hottest moves this June.
Day Splits for Afro Nation Portugal 2023 have also been confirmed today, with Burna Boy, Aya Nakamura and Popcaan starting the event on the 28th of June, Wizkid, Little Simz and Asake playing on the 29th of June and 50 Cent, Davido, Booba and Fireboy DML giving the concluding pyrotechnics on 30th June.
“We are pleased to welcome Wizkid, Davido, Little Simz, Popcaan, Focalistic and more to Afro Nation Portugal 2023,” said Afro Nation Portugal organisers.
“These performers represent the absolute best of African music and culture, and we can’t wait to see them perform on our magnificent beach stage. With so many fantastic bands on the schedule, this is building up to be the summer’s most unmissable celebration, and our finest festival yet.”
After a dramatic return to West Africa for Afro Nation Ghana during “Detty December” and a milestone event in Puerto Rico in April 2022, the very first Afro Nation in mainland North America comes this year. The 2-day premiere will see Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, Beenie Man and more coming to the Sunshine State of Florida between 27th – 28th May, for Afro Nation Miami 2023.
Afro Nation has been a must-attend event since its 2019 debut in Portugal. The quick expansion of the festival, which is currently organizing concerts in locations of cultural importance across three continents, is a monument to the power of unifying the diaspora and exhibiting the finest of African music and culture. With this explosive lineup to come, and the magnificent Portuguese sun that you can always count on, Afro Nation Portugal is sure to bring in audiences from the UK, and all across Europe, Africa, and beyond, for another uniting and happy celebration of Black music, dancing, cuisine and good vibes.
African Nation Portugal 2023 Second Wave Line Up (new arrivals in bold):
Wednesday 28th June:
Burna Boy, Aya Nakamura, Popcaan, Ayra Starr, Oxlade, The Compozers, Nelson Freitas, Nissi, Camidoh
Thursday 29th June:
Wizkid, Little Simz, Asake, Tayc, BNXN, Black Sherif, Victony, Ms Banks, Tyla
Friday 30th June:
50 Cent, Davido, Booba, Fireboy DML, Vegedream, Gabzy, Sauti Sol, Gyakie, Soraia Ramos
Piano People Stage:
Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz, Uncle Waffles, Focalistic, Kamo Mphela, Musa Keys, DBN Gogo, Young Stunna, Felo Ła Tee, Daliwonga, Tyler ICU, Sha Sha, Vigro Deep, Moonchild Sanelly, Sir Trill, TXC, Pabi Cooper, Boohle, Charisse C, Nicky Summers, Skyla Tylaa, DJ Fistoz
Hosts & DJs:
Eddie Kadi, Shopsydoo, Xavier, Captain Lulaz, P Montana, Dj Sogood, Mercedes Benson, DJ Dollar
With more to be revealed!
BBC Radio 1Xtra is the official media partner for Afro Nation Portugal.
