{{Short description|Annual music festival in Nigeria}} {{AI-generated|date=January 2026|reason=since v1 in 2025; note WP:AISIGNS such as promotional tone, vocab distribution typical of 2025 LLMs, etc}} {{Infobox music festival | name = Flytime Fest | image = | caption = | location = Lagos, Nigeria | years_active = 2017–present | founders = Cecil Hammond | dates = December (annual) | genre = Afrobeats, Hip hop, R&B, Pop | website = [https://flytimefest.com flytimefest.com] }}
'''Flytime Fest''' is an annual music festival held each December in Lagos, Nigeria, showcasing performances by prominent Nigerian and international artists across genres including Afrobeats, hip hop, and R&B. Organized by Flytime Promotions, the event evolved from the earlier '''Rhythm Unplugged''' concert series established in 2004 by Cecil Hammond.<ref name=CNN>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/19/world/video/african-voices-changemakers-nigeria-afrobeats-flytime-fest-rhythm-unplugged-20-anniversary|title=Cecil Hammond, the entertainment entrepreneur behind Nigeria's biggest concert brand|publisher=CNN|date=19 March 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
== History == Flytime Fest originated as '''Rhythm Unplugged''' in 2004, an event established to showcase emerging and established Nigerian talent in music and comedy.<ref name=CNN/> The event expanded significantly, transforming in 2018 into the multi-day festival known as Flytime Fest, incorporating international artists and diversifying its musical scope.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/2018/11/02/flytime-music-festival-holds-december/|title=Flytime Music Festival Holds in December|date=2 November 2018|access-date=5 June 2025|newspaper=This Day}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/tiwa-savage-boyz-ii-menmegan-thee-stallion-others-unveiled-for-flytime-music-festival-2019/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Tiwa Savage, Boyz II Men, Megan Thee Stallion Others Unveiled for Flytime Music Festival 2019|date=18 October 2019|access-date=5 June 2025|newspaper=BusinessDay}}</ref>
== Event format == Flytime Fest typically spans four to five days at Lagos' Eko Convention Centre. Each festival day features different headlining and supporting acts from Nigeria and abroad, contributing significantly to Lagos' entertainment scene during the popular tourist season known as "Detty December."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/detty-december-nigeria-lagos-ghana|title=What is 'Detty December'? Nigeria's biggest festive season explained|publisher=CNN|date=30 December 2022|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
== Cultural impact == Flytime Fest contributes significantly to the "Detty December" festive season, when Lagos attracts international tourists and diaspora Nigerians, enhancing Lagos' reputation as a cultural and entertainment hub.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Okusanya |first=Emanuel |title=Gunna and Tyla Join Forces for Their Debut Performances in Nigeria |url=https://www.ebony.com/gunna-and-tyla-join-forces-for-their-debut-performances-nigeria-at-flytime-fest/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=EBONY |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Editions == * 2017: Held as a two-day event featuring ''Rhythm Unplugged'' and a headline concert by Wizkid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/flytime-promotions-announces-2017-pepsi-rhythm-unplugged-artist-line-wizkid-concert/|title=Flytime Promotions announces 2017 Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged, Wizkid concert|newspaper=BusinessDay|access-date=1 April 2026}}</ref> * 2018: Included headline performances by Olamide, Bobby Brown, and Bell Biv DeVoe.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/2018/11/23/flytime-music-festival-set-for-december-21/|title=Flytime Music Festival Set for December 21|date=23 November 2018|access-date=5 June 2025|newspaper=This Day}}</ref> * 2019: Featured Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, and Boyz II Men, marking the festival's international appeal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/tiwa-savage-boyz-ii-menmegan-thee-stallion-others-unveiled-for-flytime-music-festival-2019/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Tiwa Savage, Boyz II Men, Megan Thee Stallion Unveiled for Flytime Fest 2019|date=18 October 2019|access-date=5 June 2025|newspaper=BusinessDay}}</ref> * 2020: Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arise.tv/flytime-music-festival-cancelled-due-to-covid-19/|title=Flytime Music Festival Cancelled Due to COVID-19|publisher=Arise News|date=9 December 2020|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> * 2021: Headlined by Wizkid and Davido; however, logistical issues drew mixed reviews.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/1452812-pepsi-rhythm-unplugged-2021-the-most-anticipated-show-came-disappointment/|title=Rhythm Unplugged 2021: Anticipated Show Came with Some Disappointment|date=22 December 2021|access-date=5 June 2025|newspaper=Legit.ng}}</ref> * 2022: Included performances by Wizkid, Asake, and Craig David, enhancing its international profile.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://punchng.com/wizkid-asake-to-headline-flutterwave-flytime-fest-2022/|title=Wizkid, Asake Headline Flytime Fest 2022|date=20 November 2022|access-date=5 June 2025|newspaper=The Punch}}</ref> * * 2023: Featured performances by Davido and Asake. The event concluded with Asake's Christmas Special.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/davido-asake-thrill-fans-at-flytime-fest-2023/|title=Davido, Asake thrill fans at Flytime Fest 2023|newspaper=The Guardian (Nigeria)|access-date=1 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/asake-wraps-up-flytime-fest-2023-with-an-energetic-christmas-special/cq0kq7j|title=Asake Wraps Up Flytime Fest 2023 With an Energetic Christmas Special|publisher=Business Insider Africa|access-date=1 April 2026}}</ref> * 2024: Celebrated 20 years since Rhythm Unplugged with headliners including Gunna (making his African debut), Olamide, and Davido.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/gunna-african-debut-nigeria-flytime-fest-1236250890/|title=Gunna Makes African Debut at Nigeria's Flytime Fest|publisher=Variety|date=16 December 2024|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/life/events/reminiscing-on-flytime-fest-2024-epic-music-moments/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Reminiscing on Flytime Fest 2024: Epic Music Moments|date=6 January 2025|access-date=5 June 2025|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> * 2025: Featured performances by Flavour, Olamide, Asake, and Davido. The event marked Asake's return to performing in Nigeria after a two-year absence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://businessday.ng/partner-content/article/flytime-announces-slate-of-december-events-set-to-take-over-the-city/|title=Flytime announces slate of December events set to take over the city|website=BusinessDay|access-date=1 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/life/detty-december-asake-returns-to-lagos-ahead-of-christmas-eve-concert/|title=Detty December: Asake returns to Lagos ahead of Christmas Eve concert|newspaper=The Guardian (Nigeria)|access-date=1 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2025/12/25/detty-december-davido-asake-olamide-light-up-flytime-fest/|title=Detty December: Davido, Asake, Olamide light up Flytime Fest|publisher=Channels Television|access-date=1 April 2026}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://flytimefest.com Official website]
Category:Music festivals in Nigeria Category:Annual events in Lagos Category:Afrobeats Category:Music festivals established in 2004