Media & Entertainment Mogul, Cecil Hammond has done it again. Many people who are not in the industry may not know Cecil Hammond but he is the reserved principal behind this December’s sure-to-be-a-hit concerts – Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged and the Starboy Homecoming Concert: Wizkid.
Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged, which is in its 12th year, is West Africa’s most popular concert. The all-star line-up for this year’s show calls for jostling for front row. On Friday, December 23rd, there will be performances by P-Square, Wizkid, DavidO, Olamide, Tekno, Falz, Omawumi and many others. Hosted by Bovi and produced by Cobhams . The fact that Cobhams is producing the on stage experience already means that the Flytime team is taking Rhythm Unplugged to a different level. We can’t contain our excitement.
Now, let’s talk about the Starboy. Not the Canadian, the Weekend, Nigeria’s finest, the Baba N la, Wizkid. The guy has been all over the international music market this year. A song with Drake, MTV awards wins, various collaborations and a very artistic Instagram page. The kid is literally the new age Flea! We love the name of the concert too! Starboy Homecoming Concert – because he hasn’t been around the E.N.T.I.R.E. Y.E.A.R., what better way than to close 2016 in Nigeria with his loyal fans. Flytime has strategically placed the concert on literally the last day you can be out of your house and not indoors with your family – Friday, December 30.
Both concerts are a week apart and cater to the different types of musical concert attendees. Clearly, Cecil Hammond and his Flytime team recognize this as Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged tickets go for General Admission N7, 500, VIP N25, 000 and tables for VVIP. In contrast, the Wizkid concert has a flat gate fee of N5, 000. Despite the difference in price, both concerts are at Eko Convention Centre – a sure way to ensure that concert goers feel safe and secure.
The only question we have for Flytime Promotions about The Wizkid Concert is why is the concert not at Teslim Balogun stadium? Surely it will allow more Nigerians to attend as well as bring a more Southern or Eastern African outdoor concert feel to the show. Wouldn’t this be a welcome disruption to the Nigerian concert space? We also wonder if Wizkid will bring any of his international friends. Drake? Tinie Tempah? His latest love interest, Justine Skye? We wait with baited breath.
According to industry insiders, Flytime Promotions is one of the foremost names in live entertainment and music promotion in Nigeria today. CEO, Cecil Hammond started organising concerts and promoting artists over 12 years ago and under his management. Flytime has hosted some of the most successful live entertainment events in Nigeria, working with both local and foreign artistes. Year on year, Flytime continues to deliver, raising the bar in live entertainment and bringing global standards to the Nigerian music entertainment scene. Let’s not forget that Africa’s top female artists, Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay also started their careers in Nigeria signed to Flytime. What people don’t know also is Hammond gave DavidO made his first big break in the when he was signed to Hammond’s label. Clearly with Cecil’s corporate and entertainment industry connections, his two shows are set to be hits. However it turns out, Flytime is clearly solidifying their ownership of the throne King of December concerts and fans are happier for it.
