MORGANABLE LIFE & CULTURE / MUSIC
Nigerian rapper Olamide has announced a reunion concert featuring several artistes associated with his record label, YBNL Nation.
Akure —
Nigerian rapper Olamide has announced a reunion concert featuring several artistes associated with his record label, YBNL Nation. The performance will take place in Lagos on December 18 as part of Future Fest 2026.
The announcement has attracted attention because it brings together performers connected to different stages of the label’s history.
Olamide revealed the planned performance in a video shared on Instagram on Tuesday. The announced line-up includes Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML, Young Jonn, music producer Pheelz and DJ Enimoney.
They will appear alongside Olamide for a showcase celebrating the label and the people who helped shape its sound.
The announcement also places renewed attention on YBNL’s contribution to Nigerian music.
The label helped introduce several talents to wider audiences and supported careers that later expanded beyond its original structure.
THE LINE-UP AND YBNL’S LEGACY
The announced performers represent different roles and periods in the label’s development. Adekunle Gold and Lil Kesh became prominent during YBNL’s earlier years, while Fireboy DML joined later and gained wide recognition through his releases.
Young Jonn and Pheelz also contributed to the label’s sound as producers before developing their own careers as recording artistes.
Adekunle Gold attracted attention through early releases, including the song Sade, before establishing a distinct musical identity. His later work explored a broader blend of highlife, pop and contemporary African sounds.
Lil Kesh also became widely known through songs such as Shoki and Efejoku, which helped establish him as a popular voice in Nigerian music.
Fireboy DML represented a later phase of YBNL’s development. His debut album, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, introduced his music to a broad audience and strengthened the label’s profile.
Young Jonn and Pheelz, meanwhile, earned recognition through production work before stepping further into the spotlight as recording artistes.
Olamide founded YBNL Nation in 2012. The label grew into a platform for emerging singers, rappers and producers, while its releases connected with listeners across Nigeria and beyond.
Olamide’s own success helped attract attention to the imprint, but the achievements of its artists also strengthened its reputation.
The reunion therefore carries meaning beyond a single concert. It brings together artists whose early careers intersected under one label, even as their professional journeys later changed.
For longtime listeners, the event may recall a period when YBNL releases shaped conversations around Nigerian pop and street music.
WHY THE CONCERT MATTERS
The gathering could introduce younger listeners to the label’s earlier catalogue. Some fans may know Fireboy DML or Young Jonn mainly through their recent work, rather than through their early YBNL years.
A shared performance could show how those careers developed and how the label supported different talents.
The reunion also offers an opportunity to recognise the individual progress of the performers.
Several have released solo projects, built new audiences and explored different sounds since their association with YBNL.
Their appearance at the same event could highlight both their personal achievements and the collective history they share.
However, the announcement does not provide a full running order or explain how long each act will perform.
It also does not confirm whether the artists will perform together, separately or through a combination of both formats. Those details will help fans understand what to expect as the event approaches.
The December 18 performance forms part of Future Fest 2026, which is scheduled to run in Lagos from December 11 to 20.
The festival is planned as a broader creative gathering, with activities connected to music, fashion, film, art, food and technology. This setting places the YBNL showcase within a programme that extends beyond live music.
Still, fans should distinguish confirmed information from details that organisers have not announced. Olamide’s video and media reports identify the date and participating artistes.
The available announcement does not provide confirmed ticket prices, booking arrangements, entry rules or a detailed timetable for the reunion.
Fans should follow Future Fest and the artistes’ verified channels for updates. Official announcements will be the best source for information about ticket sales, venue access and any changes to the programme. They should also check event details carefully before paying through third-party sellers.
WHAT COMES NEXT
The reunion comes as Olamide continues to plan major performances beyond Nigeria. The rapper has announced a headline concert at London’s O2 Arena for March 25, 2027.
That event is separate from his Lagos festival appearance, but it adds to an active period in his live performance calendar.
Olamide has also released Burukutu as a single from his forthcoming album, Time And Space. The new music activity adds to a busy period for the rapper, who remains a prominent figure in Nigerian music.
Nevertheless, the YBNL reunion shifts attention from his individual releases to the wider group of artistes and collaborators connected to his label.
The event also raises interest in the value of music labels that invest in emerging talent. YBNL’s history shows how a label can serve as a starting point for artists who later establish independent identities.
Their careers may move in different directions, but early support and shared experiences can remain part of their professional stories.
As December 18 approaches, further announcements should clarify the event’s format and practical arrangements.
Ticket information, performance timings and venue guidance will be important for fans planning to attend.
Until organisers release those details, the confirmed line-up and date remain the central information available to the public.
For now, Olamide’s announcement has renewed interest in YBNL’s history and the artists associated with it.
The planned Lagos performance will bring together established names from different stages of the label’s journey.
More than a regular festival appearance, it offers a public celebration of a musical connection that helped shape several careers and contributed to Nigeria’s contemporary music scene.
