Benin City is one of the largest and most thrilling places to be in Nigeria, with its unique culture and massive population of young people who like to take life easy, relax, and party. The lifestyle, the clubs, the hotels, and the people make it one of the best places in the world to throw a massive party. And who knew this better than the city’s very own superstar, Rema?
Rema just threw the biggest rave in Benin’s history, and probably one of the biggest Nigeria has ever seen. Following the release of his label album HEIS, the Benin sensation stylishly announced a homecoming concert with the help of none other than the governor of Edo State himself, Godwin Obaseki. The caped crusader video wasn’t the most astonishing part of Rema’s announcement. It was in fact the ticket prices that were set to five thousand Naira only.
Many thought it was a prank, but it was far from it. Rema was serious. The ever active people of Benin began buying the tickets and announcing their anticipated presence in what they hoped would be a great concert. Initial reactions gave an idea of how spectacular the concert would be, but what happened during the concert was far from what anyone expected.
A few days before the concert, ticket sales were surprisingly still on, and people from everywhere around the Edo/Delta axis were setting aside plans to make their way to Benin. People trooped in from towns and cities like Ekpoma, Auchi, Okada, Warri, and Asaba. The buses were consistently packed, and the roads could tell you something big was about to happen.
While not exactly being known for its hotels, Benin has a surprisingly large hospitality industry that met the task of housing the thousands of people who showed up to see the star. The hotels were very affordable—prices going as low as 11–15 thousand Naira—and the rooms were good enough to keep the travelers comfortable and entertained.
The concert started at 6pm at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. Different acts went on stage to keep the crowd entertained until the show star’s arrival. But that wasn’t a problem. Most of the nightlifers took their time, expecting things to begin much later.
As people made their way to the rave, roads across the city were packed to the brim with cars, taxis, and buses, to the point where Okada became the most reliable means of transportation. Benin City isn’t notorious for road traffic despite how populated it is; however, that evening, places like Ring Road and New Benin, which are at the heart of the city, were at a standstill. Life was only easy for those who booked hotels within walking distance of the stadium.
The 6,000-capacity stadium was the perfect place to host a concert of such magnitude. There were no stampedes, no struggle to walk in and out of the stadium, and pushing and shoving within. Security was tight in all corners of the stadium, but there were still some security concerns. It’s Benin City after all. Nonetheless, everyone seemed to be on the same page and respected the order of the night.
Along the fences were drink stands that sold Hennessy, milkshakes, cocktails, and a lot more. Food and drinks weren’t allowed inside, so it was a massive sell-out for the vendors.
Rema himself didn’t appear until midnight, following the governor’s bold campaign. His entrance was simply “electrifying.”
The anticipation, the scene, the stage, the people, the bats, and Rema! Electrifying!
To say that people got their money’s worth is ridicule. They got the best rave from the best Afro-rave performer in the world. The Mavins crooner was giving back to his community in the grandest way possible. He had the crowd and the atmosphere at his fingertips, and he took control masterfully to make the biggest rave in Benin City’s history.
Rema has made his mark in the city’s history books as one of their greatest artists and musicians, and as a public figure who cares so much about his culture and community, he is doing more for Edo cultural representation than any other artist before him. His new album was tailored to the taste of the Benin crowd, using words, slang, lingo, and vibes that are familiar to themselves and everyone else in the Edo area. The Homecoming concert made it very clear who the music enjoyers are supposed to be, no matter the criticism.
For once in a very long time, the young people of Edo are proud of the representation and recognition the culture is getting. From being known for vices such as cultism and witchcraft to things like Yahoopiano and Yahoocore to being known for the actual native party lovers that they really are.
“Rema is finally putting Benin on the map and creating a space for it among the big three tribes of Nigeria. We are seeing the public’s idea of Benin evolve from witchcraft and flying at night to seeing how rich and creative the culture really is,” one concert goer remarked.
Carrying the Benin flag on his shoulder, Rema is taking the world by storm, and the kingdom is standing right behind him.
Anticipate our rise to the spotlight, or you’ll see Ozeba!
