By Juliet Ebirim

Monkey Shoulder and Worldwide FM hosted a vibrant celebration of music and culture at Waterside, Lekki, to honor Jazzhole, one of the five global winners of the Studio Monkey Shoulder initiative.

Jazzhole, a cultural institution with over three decades of history, was recognized for its significant contributions to preserving Nigerian music and connecting local talent to the global scene.

As part of the initiative, Jazzhole received a £10,000 grant and support from Monkey Shoulder and Worldwide FM. This enabled the production and digitization of two compilation LPs featuring previously unreleased recordings by renowned Nigerian artists, spanning genres like Afro-Funk, Afrobeat, Palm Wine, JuJu, and Highlife.

The event brought together music lovers, performers, and members of the music community in a celebration of the global grassroots music culture championed by Studio Monkey Shoulder. Attendees enjoyed live performances from artists featured on the compilation, alongside DJ sets from talented Nigerian DJs.

Olakunle Tejuoso, founder of Jazzhole, expressed gratitude for the support received: “This partnership has allowed us to breathe new life into rare and unreleased recordings that showcase Nigeria’s rich musical history, preserving the essence of African music for future generations and sharing this cultural treasure with the world.”

The event was also graced by prominent figures in the Nigerian culture scene, including VJ Adams, Ike Onyema, Bizzle Osikoya, Joey Akan, Lord Sky, Chigozie Obi, Yetunde Kuti, Crowd Kontroller, Dope Caesar, and more.