AfriPulse
Lagos came alive on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, as Nigerian and American musicians blended voices in a unique evening of rhythm and harmony at the ISEDA Cultural Series.
The evening featured Akorin, an indigenous a cappella band led by celebrated composer Oretimehin Kehinde Solomon, and the Pipeline Vocal Project (PVP), a U.S. a cappella trio visiting Nigeria as Art Envoys with the support of the U.S. Department of State’s American Music Abroad and American Voices.
Held at the Quida Place amphitheatre in Lagos, the concert brought together lovers of music, literature, film, and art in a monthly event curated by Quida. The audience filled the venue, singing and clapping along as the two groups delivered soulful performances.
Oretimehin described the night as “an amalgamation of the U.S. Consulate and the Nigerian people for cultural exchange.”
Speaking about his group, he said Akorin was created for people “to come together to share their experiences in songs.” His five-member band performed one of hits, rearranged popular hits including Teni’s ‘Million’ and blended them with American classics in their own a cappella style.
The highlight of the evening came when the Pipeline Vocal Project made up of Lisa Hawkins, Molly Dieni, and Taylor Siebert— performed Johnny Drille’s Nigerian hit How Are You My Friend. The crowd went wild, singing along word for word. Known as Alaska’s premier a cappella trio, PVP blended lead vocals, bass, and vocal percussion to create a powerful sound that resonated deeply with the Lagos audience.
For the U.S. Consulate, the night was more than music; it was diplomacy in action. In her remarks, Julie McKay, Public Affairs Officer, explained:
“Cultural exchange is at the heart of bringing people together. By bringing a U.S. musical group to learn and sing with Nigerian groups, it helps Americans learn more about Nigeria and Nigerians learn more about America.”
She also noted that Nigeria’s growing creative industry holds great potential:
“The creative industries give opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. We want to support that and connect American businesses and talents with the incredible talents here in Nigeria.”
The evening also featured a special performance by veteran Nigerian singer Yinka Davies, who anchored a lively discussion on the role of music in building cultural bridges.
The artists themselves echoed this message. Taylor Siebert emphasised, “The essence of cultural exchange is that we all come from different backgrounds. That is why we need to connect and have conversations through music.” Her fellow member, Lisa Hawkins, added, “Our mission is to bridge as many cultures and languages as possible.”
The host, Lola Shoneyin, owner of Quida, warmly welcomed the audience, describing the concert as “an immersive experience with talented musical artists from Nigeria and America.”
By the end of the night, it was clear the A Capella Night had achieved more than entertainment; it became a living example of music as a tool for unity, dialogue, and shared joy across continents.
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Source: Independent.ng | Read the Full Story…
