The ‘Like to party’ singer, who has said it on several occasions that his grandfather inspires him a lot and has a huge impact in his career, will celebrate him in grand style during his 80th birthday festivities.
Burna Boy and his friends will be performing new generation genres; hip hop and afro pop at the last day of the four-day celebration themed ‘The Benjay Phenomenon’.
READ: Burna Boy’s grandfather plans BIG for 80th birthday this month
The octogenarian who is a distinguished broadcaster, music promotions manager and revered music critic clocked 80 on June 13, 2016, and will be celebrated with a four-day lineup of activities in his honour.
Benson Idonije started his career in the 50s at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ikoyi after his study at the Yaba College of Technology. He soon moved on to bigger achievements – first as an on-air personality and later on as first manager of the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Check out the FULL event schedule below…
DAY 1 : JUNE 16 (MAIN CELEBRATION)
11 a.m. : Workshop with students of music, LASU (coordinated by Biodun Adebiyi aka Biodun Batik)
Venue : LASU
4 p.m. : TRIBUTES/COLLOQUIUM @ MUSON CENTRE
Theme: Essential Benson Idonije
Chairman : Dr. Christopher Kolade (Pro-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University)
Anchor : Chief Biodun Shobanjo (Chairman Troyka Holdings)
Other Speakers : Associates who worked with Idonije at radio stations, The Guardian etc.
6 p.m.: BOOKS PRESENTATION
(i) Dis Fela Sef : The Legend(s) Untold
(ii) The Great Highlife Party
(iii) All That Jazz
Chief Presenter : Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi (Chairman Fela Foundation)
Music: Sakara, Agidigbo, Highlife & Jazz Bands
7 p.m. : Screening of ‘THE ESSENTIAL BENSON IDONIJE’ ( An Interview Documentary)
8 p.m. : Concert @ Freedom Park, Lagos . ft. MIXED GRILL
DAY 2 : JUNE 17 (HIGHLIFE CAPS)
Venue : Goethe Institut, 4th Floor, City Hall, Catholic Mission St., Lagos
(In collaboration with MMIS, Premier Music & Evergreen Music)
11 a.m.: Workshop with students of Music, Theatre Arts, UNILAG
4 p.m.: Conversation Caps
Theme : HIGHLIFE- THE EVERGREEN: LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD
Keynote : Prof. John Collins (Founder/Chairman, Bokoor African Popular Music Archives Foundation BAPMAF), Ghana.
Panel Discussions by Musicians, Culture scholars, and Music enthusiasts
6 p.m.: CONCERT (Featuring leading bands & veterans in Highlife music)
DAY 3: JUNE 18 (JAZZ & AFROBEAT)
VENUE : Freedom park, Lagos (in collaboration with Lagos International Jazz Festival)
11 a.m. : TOWN HALL MEETING
Interactive session with COSON members
4 p.m. : CONVERSATION
Theme : ALL THAT JAZZ : The Standards, The Crossover, The Trans-format-ion
Keynote : Tam Fofori
Jazz aficionado, film maker, photographer, veteran writer on the arts
Panel Discussions by Musicians, Culture scholars, and music enthusiasts
DAY 4 : JUNE 19 (AFROPOP)
Venue: Freedom Park, Lagos (in collaboration with Black House Media (BHM))
4 p.m. : CONVERSATION
Theme: MUSIC FORWARD (Deconstructing Reconstructing)
Keynote : Ayeni Adekunle (Founder/CEO, Black House Media (BHM))
Chair Person : Laolu Akintobi (Veteran Music Producer, A&R Manager)
Panel Discussions by Musicians, Cultural Scholars, and Music enthusiasts
7 p.m. : CONCERT
Theme : A TOAST TO GRANDAD… From the GENERATION NEXT
Featuring : BURNA BOY & FRIENDS IN HIP HOP AND AFROPOP GENRES
