By Benjamin Njoku

The Goldberg Golden Fiesta landed in Benin last Friday, amidst the Easter break, and the city responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.

Headlined by rising singer and rapper, Shallipopi, the event boasted a solid lineup of artistes, including DJs, and hypemen, but it was the massive turnout that stole the show.

The Garrick Memorial was packed, with fans even standing outside trying to catch a glimpse of the action. Goldberg clearly delivered a Gold Standard experience, with a well-structured night that kept the crowd engaged from start to finish. The unexpected appearance of Zerry DL alongside Shallipopi and Famous Pluto took the atmosphere to new heights, with the Uzama brothers igniting the stage.

The appearance of all three Uzama brothers instantly lifted the atmosphere, turning an already electric crowd into something even louder and more alive. But the story didn’t start on stage.

From the moment they arrived in Benin, the Uzama brothers made their presence felt. Their pre-event activities, including a visit to the Oba’s palace and street connections with fans, built anticipation and contributed to the electric atmosphere.

By the time the show kicked off, Benin was already fully locked in. DJ Neptune, a proud son of the soil, brought that connection to life on stage. In a moment that stood out, he greeted his people properly, and even dropped for 10 push-ups with an extra 5 urged on by Shody. DJ Stormy and Jerry Shaffer kept the momentum going, delivering steady waves of energy throughout the night. The local talents were not left out. Upcoming artists had their moment on stage, setting the tone before the headliners took over. From the early build-up to the final performances, everything fed into the same outcome – a crowd that stayed engaged, reacted in real time, and carried the energy all through

The event was a testament to Goldberg’s Gold Standard, with Benin showing up in full force to support their local heroes. A fan summed it up perfectly: “The first artist to sell out the Garrick Memorial.”