Long before audiences began applauding the fusion of Afrobeats and orchestral music on concert stages, musician and creative director Clinton Akinkuolie popularly known as Clintonic Strings had already given the idea a name.

He calls it Afrochestra: a performance concept that blends African music with orchestral arrangements, designed to transform familiar Afrobeats songs into immersive live experiences while reconnecting generations through music. Over the years it’s been dubbed other names like “Afrochestra Rave, Afrochestra Experience, Afro-Symphonic Fusion, Orchestral Afrobeats, ​Symphonic Afro-pop, ​Afro-Orchestral Showcase / Performance, ​Afrobeats Symphony” by fans.

Although audiences are already familiar with Ace Orchestra, the premium live band behind several high-profile performances and collaborations, Clintonic says Afrochestra represents something much bigger than a band.

“Ace Orchestra is the band,” he explained. “We’re the live musicians, the producers and the team that has been performing and creating for years. People know us for high-quality orchestral covers, events and collaborations with artistes.

“Afrochestra is the sound and the movement we created. It’s a fusion of Afrobeats and orchestra. The name itself says it all, African rhythm meets orchestral arrangement.”

The concept was developed in 2024 before making its official debut on February 9, 2025, after months of experimentation through live concerts.

According to Clintonic, the orchestra serves as the vehicle, while Afrochestra is the destination.

“Ace Orchestra plays Afrochestra music. Ace is the vehicle. Afrochestra is the destination.”

Unlike conventional orchestral performances, Afrochestra seeks to unite audiences that rarely occupy the same musical space.

“Younger audiences grew up on Afrobeats, while middle-aged audiences grew up on live bands, Highlife and orchestras. The ecosystem was gradually separating them.

“Afrochestra was built for both generations. We fuse nostalgia with the present. We take songs and even classical pieces that people already love and transform them into premium, emotional experiences that everyone can enjoy together.”

The journey, however, has not been without obstacles.

Running an orchestra comes with significant financial demands from rehearsals and venue costs to logistics and production.

“We didn’t force orchestra into Afrobeats or Afrobeats into orchestra. We found the emotion they both share and built Afrochestra around that.

“Because orchestra projects are expensive to run, we tested the concept through concerts before officially launching it.”

One of the biggest endorsements of the concept came recently through a collaboration with renowned DJ Consequence, offering audiences a preview of the Afrochestra experience.

“This collaboration is one of the best demonstrations of the potential of Afrochestra,” he said. “The audience reaction has been mind-blowing. People can’t wait to experience it live again.”

For Clintonic, however, the project extends far beyond concerts.

His ambition is to establish Afrochestra as a globally recognised performance format born in Africa.

“The dream is for Afrochestra to become a globally recognised live music format that originates from Nigeria. Just as people around the world recognise Broadway in America or the Proms in the UK, I want Afrochestra to become a signature African live music experience.

“We’re already receiving interest from outside Nigeria, which tells us the concept has international appeal. I see Afrochestra touring major cities across Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East, collaborating with world-class orchestras and some of the biggest Afrobeats stars.

“Beyond performances, I want Afrochestra to become a platform that creates opportunities for orchestral musicians, composers, arrangers and young instrumentalists who rarely get the spotlight in today’s music industry.”

Asked to define Afrochestra in one sentence, Clintonic paused before offering what he believes captures the essence of the movement.

“Afrochestra is where the heartbeat of Africa meets the grandeur of orchestral music. It’s not just about adding violins to Afrobeats; it’s about reimagining familiar songs into timeless musical experiences.

“We want people to hear songs they’ve known for years and feel like they’re discovering them for the first time. Whether you’re 18 or 60, Afrochestra creates a shared emotional experience that reminds you music has no age, no borders and no limitations.”