Veteran Afrobeats icon D’banj has revealed plans for a joint music tour alongside fellow Nigerian music legends 2Baba and Timaya.
The ‘Oliver Twist’ hitmaker shared the news in an interview with Adesope Live in London, a clip of which was obtained by The Telegraph on Wednesday.
Reflecting on the evolution of Afrobeats—from a regional sound to a global phenomenon—D’banj credited the genre’s rise not only to the hard work of artists and music executives but also to the unwavering support of the African diaspora.
“I was speaking with Timaya the other day and he was like, ‘Banger, it’s okay, you’ve been an entrepreneur enough. It’s time to come out.’ And I said the same thing. I’m speaking to 2Face [now 2Baba] as well. He told me, ‘Let’s go on a tour together,’” D’banj said.
“We have great bodies of work—myself, 2Baba, and Timaya. And because of how the industry is today, there’s a big market for everyone. So yes, we’ll be going on tour.”
D’banj also teased a forthcoming collaboration with 2Baba titled ‘Feeling Good’, describing it as a thank-you gesture to fans who have supported their careers over the last two decades.
“For those who have waited, I want to thank you guys. I think that would even be the tag of the tour—just to say thank you. Because looking back 20 years…” he added.
“Now everybody is Afrobeats”
Speaking further, D’banj reflected on how cultural perceptions of African identity have shifted over the years, especially within the UK.
“Now everybody is Afrobeats, everybody is African. But I remember when, in London, it wasn’t cool to say you were Nigerian. We all wanted to be Jamaicans,” he recalled.
“Back then, everyone was embracing Jamaican culture. So for us [Africans] to now be the new pop—it’s a big deal.”
He went on to praise the growing presence of African music in mainstream media and film.
“These days, there’s no UK movie I’ve seen without our music in it. So a big kudos not just to the creatives, but to the whole community—the African diaspora.”
The upcoming tour and collaborations mark a return to the spotlight for D’banj, who has also spent recent years focusing on business ventures and philanthropy.
