NIGERIAN STAR CKay will headline this year’s edition of the Vic Falls Carnival, which takes place on Friday to Sunday at the Elephant Hills Resort.
CKay, also known as “Africa’s Boyfriend”, is the rising star in the ever-burgeoning Afrobeats scene, spearheading a self-coined subgenre “Emo-Afrobeat”, to best describe the Nigerian-born star’s sound.
His hit songs Love Nwantiti and Felony, earned him global recognition with the former single spurring multiple international remixes and Tik Tok users from across the world further solidified his place at the top with the Love Nwantiti dance challenge. CKay’s remix of Love Nwantiti featuring DJ Yo and Axel, became the most Shazamed song in the world and propelled him into the history books to become the first African artiste to hit 20 million Spotify listeners.
Warner Music has been quoted as saying “CKay sits at the forefront of the Afrobeats canon” and he continues to soar global charts with his most recent single Emiliana surpassing 100 million streams.
“The mission is to take African music to the world,” said CKay.
“We’ve already done that, but it’s still work in progress, still doing, working, adding more building blocks every day, trying to expand our reach. I feel African music is too amazing to keep to ourselves, I think we should spread it and hold on to it at the same time.”
Fans at the jamboree might have a taste of Jah Prayzah’s upcoming album if the star decides to sample songs from the album.
Jah Prayzah announced the launch of his double album last week. He will release two albums that will be launched on May 12 and May 13 in Harare and Bulawayo, respectively.
The Victoria Falls Carnival Main Stage at Elephant Hills Resort features over 30 of Africa’s hottest music acts on one stage from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30 and Ckay joins the already stellar line-up of artistes, including Musa Keys, Oskido, LKG, Toss | Mdoovar | 9umba, Black Motion, Enzo Ishall, Anita Jaxson, Mac G & Sol, Top Cheri, Rimo, Mi Casa, Mafikizolo, Han-C, Khoisan, Tashinga, Nitefreak, Just Drev, DJ Liz, Nospa, Nkosiminator, Renolife, Andrea the Vocalist, Doll Ya Mama and Boity.
A new festival addition for Vic Falls Carnival is the first ever “VFC: Destination Livingstone” in partnership with Timedia, Kulture Xchange, and Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort.
VFC Destination: Livingstone takes place at the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort over the same weekend, featuring headline acts (including Ckay) from the Vic Falls Carnival as well as a host of local acts.
Carnival director Craig Bright revealed that VFC Destination: Livingstone was born from the desire to include the Zambian side in the music experiences to create a bigger festival footprint and reach more fans than ever before.