Legendary musician Daddy Showkey turned back the clock last Sunday night as he celebrated 50 unbroken years on stage with a glittering anniversary concert at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tagged “The Journey! My 50 Years on Stage as an Entertainer”, the event brought together legends, fans, and lovers of old-school Nigerian music for a night of nostalgia, culture and non-stop dancing.
The ‘Galala’ pioneer, whose sound helped define Nigeria’s street music in the 90s, was joined on stage by Cobhams, Tony Tetuila, 2Baba, 9ice, African China, Danfo Drivers, Marvelous Benjy, Korede Bello, Baba Fryo, Teni The Entertainer and several others. Their performances rekindled memories for fans who grew up on the era’s music.
But beyond the music, the night was also about gratitude. Daddy Showkey used the occasion to pay tribute to individuals and institutions that shaped his career.
One of the biggest highlights was his appreciation of Vanguard Media Limited. The singer invited Vanguard Saturday Editor, Mr. Onochie Anibeze, on stage to thank the newspaper for being the first in Nigeria to publish a story about him.
In a documentary screened before the show, Showkey recalled his early days with music group De Pretty Busy Boys alongside Cashman Davies, Daddy Fresh, Sexy Pretty and Roland Okafor.
“We used to trek across Kirikiri bridge after school and pass by Vanguard,” he said. “I told myself one day Vanguard would write about me. And true to that dream, Vanguard was the first newspaper to publish my story. It meant everything to me.”
He also paid tribute to the late Ogbonna Amadi, former Entertainment Editor of Vanguard, describing him as a mentor who “shaped me into the person people know today.”
Other honorees included veteran broadcaster Danladi Bako of NTA and actor Harry B Anyanwu, recognized for their contributions to Showkey’s journey and to Nigerian entertainment.
For fans in attendance, the concert was more than a performance. It was a celebration of resilience, legacy, and the enduring power of street music in Nigeria.
Daddy Showkey rose to fame in the early 1990s and became one of Nigeria’s biggest stars through the 90s and 2000s. He is credited as one of the leading pioneers of Galala, a uniquely Nigerian fusion of dancehall, reggae, and Afro-street music that defined a generation, alongside his signature dance moves.
Over the years, his music has touched on love, faith, and social advocacy. Some of his hit songs include ‘Fire Fire’ (1991), ‘Diana’ (1996), ‘The Name’ (2000), ‘Ghetto Soldier’ (2011), and ‘Jehovah’ (2011
With five decades behind him, Daddy Showkey said the show was proof that the foundation he helped lay is still inspiring new generations of artistes.
