Dapper Live officially unveiled Trench Fest on December 20, 2023, launching a new live music property designed to reflect the raw energy, diversity, and evolving identity of Nigeria’s street-driven sound. Staged in Lagos, the inaugural edition marked a major moment for youth-focused live entertainment, bringing together a wide-ranging lineup of artists whose music defines both the grassroots and mainstream ends of today’s Nigerian music ecosystem.
From the outset, Trench Fest was positioned as more than a concert. Conceived as a cultural gathering point, the festival emphasized openness, accessibility, and real-time connection between artists and fans. Rather than relying on a tightly structured headline format, the event unfolded as a continuous flow of performances, allowing the audience to experience the full breadth of contemporary Nigerian music in one immersive setting.
The Trench Fest 2023 lineup featured Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi, Zlatan, NSG, Skiibii, L.A.X, Ice Prince, Balloranking, Bad Boy Timz, Dremo, GOE, T.I Blaze, Lasmid, Barry Jhay, Magnito, Bhadman Niko, Durella, Rexxie, Poco Lee, Khaid, Minz, Logos Olori, KashComing, Otega, BhadBoi OML, TegaBoi DC, Zerry DL, Rybeena, TML Vibez, Fazil, Reehaa, Pabrymo, Maradona, M3lon, Rhedi, and Marley Kiddo. The depth of the roster reflected Dapper Live’s intention to spotlight both established stars and emerging voices shaping the current soundscape.
As the night progressed, performances rolled out back-to-back, maintaining momentum and keeping the crowd fully engaged. Fans responded with unfiltered energy, chanting lyrics, waving phone lights, and creating spontaneous moments of call-and-response that blurred the line between stage and audience. The absence of long breaks or rigid segmentation reinforced Trench Fest’s street-rooted ethos, where energy, not hierarchy, drives the experience.
Key performances from Seyi Vibez and Zlatan anchored the night, offering contrasting but complementary perspectives on street-pop and contemporary Nigerian sound. Shallipopi’s appearance reflected his breakout momentum during 2023, while UK-based group NSG brought an international dimension that highlighted the global reach of Nigerian street culture. Veterans like Ice Prince added historical depth, while artists such as Skiibii, L.A.X, Balloranking, and Bad Boy Timz kept the crowd moving with melodic and club-ready records.
The extended lineup allowed newer acts to perform alongside established names without being overshadowed. Artists like TML Vibez, KashComing, Zerry DL, Rybeena, BhadBoi OML, TegaBoi DC, and Reehaa benefited from a platform that encouraged discovery and collective participation rather than isolated spotlight moments. This structure reinforced Trench Fest’s identity as a shared cultural experience rather than a star-driven spectacle.
Speaking on the vision behind Trench Fest, Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi, Founder of Dapper Group, said:
“Trench Fest was created to reflect how young people actually experience music in Nigeria, open, energetic, and communal. It’s about accessibility and giving street culture a platform that matches its influence. This is the first step in building a national live-music circuit that connects cities, audiences, and artists through shared cultural moments.”
Beyond the performances, Trench Fest 2023 stood out for its atmosphere. The crowd remained active from early evening through the final sets, feeding off the spontaneity that defined the night. The energy was loud, fluid, and communal, reflecting the everyday spaces where street music lives and thrives. Rather than a polished, choreographed production, the festival leaned into authenticity, allowing moments to unfold organically.
The successful launch of Trench Fest also marked a strategic milestone for Dapper Live, positioning the platform as a serious contributor to Nigeria’s live entertainment infrastructure. By creating a festival that centers street culture while maintaining scale and organization, Dapper Live demonstrated how large-format concerts can remain grounded in real audience connection.
As the night drew to a close, Trench Fest 2023 left a clear impression: this was not a one-off event, but the foundation of a growing cultural property. The festival captured a snapshot of Nigerian music at a moment of expansion, where new voices, established stars, and global influences coexist on one stage. With its inaugural edition, Trench Fest announced itself as a defining space for the sound, energy, and future direction of Nigerian live music
