Daddy Showkey Marks 50 Years on Stage with Star-Studded Lagos Concert

Nigerian music legend and Galala pioneer, John Odafe Asiemo, popularly known as Daddy Showkey, is set to celebrate an extraordinary milestone as he marks 50 years in the entertainment industry with a grand all-star concert in Lagos.

The landmark event, themed “The Journey! My 50 Years on Stage as an Entertainer,” will take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, coinciding with the veteran performer’s 56th birthday celebration.

The concert will serve as the grand finale of a week-long celebration that began on August 4, featuring a series of activities, including a community concert in his beloved Ajegunle on August 8, where Daddy Showkey’s musical journey first took shape.

Expected to grace the stage are some of Nigeria’s biggest music stars, reflecting the enormous influence Daddy Showkey has had on the country’s entertainment industry over the past five decades. Confirmed performers include 2Baba, 9ice, KCee, Oritse Femi, African China, King Saheed Osupa, Flectaman, Danfo Drivers, Marvelous Benjy, Tony Tetuila, Korede Bello, Iyanya, and Pasuma, while the celebrant has hinted that more surprise guests will join the lineup.

Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the Galala movement, Daddy Showkey rose to prominence in the early 1990s, introducing a distinctive blend of dancehall, reggae, and street-inspired sounds that resonated with millions of Nigerians. His energetic performances, unique dance moves, and authentic representation of Ajegunle culture helped shape the evolution of contemporary Nigerian street music.

Born on August 4, 1970, in Olomoro, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Daddy Showkey became one of the defining voices of Nigerian music throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. His catalogue includes timeless hits such as “Fire Fire,” “Diana,” “The Name,” “Ghetto Soldier,” and “Jehovah,” songs that addressed themes ranging from love and faith to social justice and the struggles of everyday Nigerians.

Beyond his musical achievements, Daddy Showkey has remained an influential cultural figure, inspiring generations of artistes who have followed in his footsteps and helping to popularise street music long before Afrobeats became a global phenomenon.

The anniversary concert is expected to celebrate not only his enduring legacy but also the remarkable journey of an entertainer whose music has remained deeply connected to the lives and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.

For fans, colleagues, and lovers of Nigerian music, “The Journey” promises to be more than a concert—it will be a celebration of resilience, culture, nostalgia, and the lasting impact of one of Nigeria’s most iconic entertainers.