# Flytime Fest

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**Flytime Fest** is an annual music festival held each December in [Lagos](/source/Lagos), Nigeria, showcasing performances by prominent Nigerian and international artists across genres including [Afrobeats](/source/Afrobeats), [hip hop](/source/Hip_hop_music), and [R&B](/source/Rhythm_and_blues). Organized by Flytime Promotions, the event evolved from the earlier **Rhythm Unplugged** concert series established in 2004 by [Cecil Hammond](/source/Cecil_Hammond).[1]

## History

Flytime Fest originated as **Rhythm Unplugged** in 2004, an event established to showcase emerging and established Nigerian talent in music and comedy.[1] The event expanded significantly, transforming in 2018 into the multi-day festival known as Flytime Fest, incorporating international artists and diversifying its musical scope.[2][3]

## Event format

Flytime Fest typically spans four to five days at Lagos' [Eko Convention Centre](/source/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](/source/Detty_December_(Nigeria))."[4]

## 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.[5]

## Editions

- 2017: Held as a two-day event featuring *Rhythm Unplugged* and a headline concert by [Wizkid](/source/Wizkid).[6]
- 2018: Included headline performances by [Olamide](/source/Olamide), [Bobby Brown](/source/Bobby_Brown), and [Bell Biv DeVoe](/source/Bell_Biv_DeVoe).[7]
- 2019: Featured [Megan Thee Stallion](/source/Megan_Thee_Stallion), [Burna Boy](/source/Burna_Boy), [Tiwa Savage](/source/Tiwa_Savage), and [Boyz II Men](/source/Boyz_II_Men), marking the festival's international appeal.[8]
- 2020: Canceled due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic).[9]
- 2021: Headlined by [Wizkid](/source/Wizkid) and [Davido](/source/Davido); however, logistical issues drew mixed reviews.[10]
- 2022: Included performances by Wizkid, [Asake](/source/Asake), and [Craig David](/source/Craig_David), enhancing its international profile.[11]
- * 2023: Featured performances by [Davido](/source/Davido) and [Asake](/source/Asake). The event concluded with Asake's [Christmas](/source/Christmas) Special.[12][13]
- 2024: Celebrated 20 years since [Rhythm Unplugged](/source/Rhythm_Unplugged) with headliners including [Gunna](/source/Gunna_(rapper)) (making his African debut), [Olamide](/source/Olamide), and Davido.[14][15]
- 2025: Featured performances by [Flavour](/source/Flavour_(musician)), [Olamide](/source/Olamide), [Asake](/source/Asake), and [Davido](/source/Davido). The event marked Asake's return to performing in Nigeria after a two-year absence.[16][17][18]

## References

1. ["Cecil Hammond, the entertainment entrepreneur behind Nigeria's biggest concert brand"](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/19/world/video/african-voices-changemakers-nigeria-afrobeats-flytime-fest-rhythm-unplugged-20-anniversary). [CNN](/source/CNN). 19 March 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Flytime Music Festival Holds in December"](https://www.thisdaylive.com/2018/11/02/flytime-music-festival-holds-december/). *[This Day](/source/This_Day)*. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Tiwa Savage, Boyz II Men, Megan Thee Stallion Others Unveiled for Flytime Music Festival 2019"](https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/tiwa-savage-boyz-ii-menmegan-thee-stallion-others-unveiled-for-flytime-music-festival-2019/). *[BusinessDay](/source/BusinessDay_(Nigeria))*. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["What is 'Detty December'? Nigeria's biggest festive season explained"](https://edition.cnn.com/travel/detty-december-nigeria-lagos-ghana). [CNN](/source/CNN). 30 December 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. Okusanya, Emanuel. ["Gunna and Tyla Join Forces for Their Debut Performances in Nigeria"](https://www.ebony.com/gunna-and-tyla-join-forces-for-their-debut-performances-nigeria-at-flytime-fest/). *EBONY*. Retrieved 2025-06-05.

1. ["Flytime Promotions announces 2017 Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged, Wizkid concert"](https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/flytime-promotions-announces-2017-pepsi-rhythm-unplugged-artist-line-wizkid-concert/). *BusinessDay*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. ["Flytime Music Festival Set for December 21"](https://www.thisdaylive.com/2018/11/23/flytime-music-festival-set-for-december-21/). *[This Day](/source/This_Day)*. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Tiwa Savage, Boyz II Men, Megan Thee Stallion Unveiled for Flytime Fest 2019"](https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/tiwa-savage-boyz-ii-menmegan-thee-stallion-others-unveiled-for-flytime-music-festival-2019/). *[BusinessDay](/source/BusinessDay_(Nigeria))*. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Flytime Music Festival Cancelled Due to COVID-19"](https://www.arise.tv/flytime-music-festival-cancelled-due-to-covid-19/). [Arise News](/source/Arise_News). 9 December 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Rhythm Unplugged 2021: Anticipated Show Came with Some Disappointment"](https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/1452812-pepsi-rhythm-unplugged-2021-the-most-anticipated-show-came-disappointment/). *[Legit.ng](/source/Legit.ng)*. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Wizkid, Asake Headline Flytime Fest 2022"](https://punchng.com/wizkid-asake-to-headline-flutterwave-flytime-fest-2022/). *[The Punch](/source/The_Punch)*. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Davido, Asake thrill fans at Flytime Fest 2023"](https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/davido-asake-thrill-fans-at-flytime-fest-2023/). *The Guardian (Nigeria)*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. ["Asake Wraps Up Flytime Fest 2023 With an Energetic Christmas Special"](https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/asake-wraps-up-flytime-fest-2023-with-an-energetic-christmas-special/cq0kq7j). Business Insider Africa. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. ["Gunna Makes African Debut at Nigeria's Flytime Fest"](https://variety.com/2024/music/news/gunna-african-debut-nigeria-flytime-fest-1236250890/). [Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)). 16 December 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Reminiscing on Flytime Fest 2024: Epic Music Moments"](https://guardian.ng/life/events/reminiscing-on-flytime-fest-2024-epic-music-moments/). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian_(Nigeria))*. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.

1. ["Flytime announces slate of December events set to take over the city"](https://businessday.ng/partner-content/article/flytime-announces-slate-of-december-events-set-to-take-over-the-city/). *BusinessDay*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. ["Detty December: Asake returns to Lagos ahead of Christmas Eve concert"](https://guardian.ng/life/detty-december-asake-returns-to-lagos-ahead-of-christmas-eve-concert/). *The Guardian (Nigeria)*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. ["Detty December: Davido, Asake, Olamide light up Flytime Fest"](https://www.channelstv.com/2025/12/25/detty-december-davido-asake-olamide-light-up-flytime-fest/). Channels Television. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

## External links

- [Official website](https://flytimefest.com)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Flytime Fest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flytime_Fest) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flytime_Fest?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.