Spotify has officially opened Greasy Tunes Café, a three-week pop-up initiative in Lagos designed to highlight the intersection of Nigerian music, food, and culture.
The launch, held on Tuesday evening, aims to provide a unique experiential platform that blends local cuisine with personalised musical experiences.
Bea Theron, Experiential Marketing Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Spotify, explained that the initiative responds to insights showing that for Nigerian Gen Z, music and food constitute central aspects of daily life. Afrobeats, she noted, dominates the listening habits of this demographic.
“With the Greasy Tunes Café, customers can order local Nigerian dishes and instantly receive a curated Spotify playlist or podcast, tailored in real-time to their food choices,” Theron said.
She added that Spotify’s role is to support creatives and prioritise hyper-local storytelling that reflects the people of Lagos.
“Tonight proves the power of the youth as they build the culture here in Nigeria. The Greasy Tunes Café blends the force of Afrobeats with the authenticity of local cuisine. This is not just an event; it is a strategic move to establish the new cultural future of Lagos,” Theron stated.
Victor Okpala, Artist and Label Partnership Manager for West Africa at Spotify, highlighted that the café would function both as a launchpad for local talent and a centre for education.
“We plan to spotlight emerging artistes, including Fola and Adekunle Gold. Educational activities, such as the screening of a documentary on Afro-Nigerian Afro-funk and the Eyo masquerade on 11th October, emphasise our commitment to Nigeria’s rich musical and cultural heritage,” Okpala said.
Rising Nigerian Afrobeats artiste Folarin Odunlami, known professionally as Fola, shared his reflections on dedication and authenticity.
“Nothing about my journey is overnight. Background does not define the future. The love I am receiving fuels me, and my goal is clear: I am determined to take Afrobeats to the next level,” he said.
South African musician Thakzin, who also attended the launch, discussed the role of emotion in musical creation. “For me, music is about translating real-time feelings into rhythm. If you wish to push new sounds, you must work harder, because that is how you break through and move people,” he stated.
The event attracted a wide audience, including music artistes, influencers, podcasters, and fans, creating an immersive atmosphere in which Nigerian culinary and musical cultures were celebrated simultaneously.
Greasy Tunes Café represents Spotify’s effort to build interactive cultural experiences that elevate local talent, foster creativity, and encourage appreciation of Nigeria’s music and food heritage
