Renowned American R&B group Shalamar will perform in Abuja on October 4 as part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations.
The concert, promoted by iCreate Africa in collaboration with First Culture Limited, will take place at the International Conference Centre. The group will perform several of their well-known songs, including A Night to Remember and I Can Make You Feel Good.
While highlighting the significance of the concert, Bright Jaja, Chief Executive Officer of iCreate Africa, expressed his excitement at Shalamar’s decision to extend their global tour to Nigeria, describing it as a major cultural moment.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Shalamar to Abuja this Independence Weekend. Their decision to include Nigeria on their tour is not just an honour, it’s a long-overdue gift to a vibrant community of music lovers who have carried their legacy for decades.
Our goal is to fill a major gap in the entertainment space by creating unforgettable experiences for mature audiences who rarely get events tailored to them. The music that raised a generation is coming home for what will be a nostalgic, music-filled trip down memory lane, as Shalamar will perform all their classic hit songs, backed by a 7-piece live band.”
He said tickets for the highly anticipated concert are currently available at Jabi Boat Club, El-Amin International School, House 43, and Istanbul Restaurant in Jabi Mall
Also, Tunde Babalola, First Culture’s Creative Director and spokesperson, said, “This isn’t just a concert, it’s a gift to all generations.
“A musical bridge between the past and present; don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience a breathtaking Shalamar performance that has been curated to evoke thrills, nostalgia and goose bumps.”
Earlier in a video message, Shalamar members Howard Hewett, Carolyn Griffey and Jeffrey Daniel expressed how much they look forward to returning to Nigeria for the grand event.
Jeffrey Daniel, acclaimed to be the pioneer of the iconic dance move, ‘backslide’ (Moonwalk), said the show would be ‘a night to remember’ indeed for all Shalamar fans and music lovers alike.
Shalamar is a legendary American R&B and funk group celebrated for their energetic performances and contributions to dance music, including popularising “body-popping” in the UK. The group, acknowledged as one of the best funk and soul groups of their generation, sold over 25 million records until the classic lineup split in the mid-80s.
Some of their classics include A Night to Remember, I Can Make You Feel Good, Friends, Make That Move, Sweeter As The Days Go By, There It Is, and I Owe You One.
It was in January 1982 when the acclaimed band performed at the main bowl of the cultural edifice of the National Arts Theatre in Lagos.
It was followed by packed-out shows at the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan, and the then University of Ife (now called Obafemi Awolowo University).
As Nigerians celebrate the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Shalamar is returning to thrill fans with their chart-topping classics and pulsating live performances. For old-school music fans, it would be a nostalgic experience.
