LAGOS, NIGERIA — March 2026
Afrobeats artists T.I Blaze, TML Vibez, Bhadboi OML, Rybeena, Lasmid, Cazulee, Kashcoming and DWillsHarmony have made history as part of the record-breaking Trench Symphony: The Dapper Live Experience, which has officially been confirmed by Guinness World Records™ for achieving the Largest Orchestra for an Afrobeats Concert.
The historic record was set on December 16, 2025, at the Balmoral Eko Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, where more than 80 orchestra members performed live alongside the Afrobeats stars, delivering a groundbreaking fusion of classical orchestration and contemporary African music. The landmark concert was produced by Dapper Live, the live events division of Dapper Group.
Conceived and executive produced by Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dapper Group, Trench Symphony was designed to reimagine Afrobeats through the scale and grandeur of a full live orchestra. In addition to the Afrobeats lineup, the evening also featured special guest appearances from Fuji legends King Dr. Saheed Osupa and KS1 Malaika, creating a unique blend of musical traditions on one stage.
Under the musical direction of Bazzman Sam, and led by conductors Fatola and Clintonic, the orchestra brought Afrobeats records to life with rich instrumentation and layered arrangements. Kelechi “Chopper” Aquari served as multi-role coordinator across the production, while Director K led the show’s creative direction. Sound was overseen by multi-role contributor Temitayo “Tee Y Mix” Ibitoye, with engineering by Mr Bassey, ensuring a seamless balance between the artists and the orchestra.
The production was directed by Dunni Akinwunmi, who oversaw overall event logistics, alongside Mojoyin of Owambe Events, the show producer responsible for delivering the record-setting evening from start to finish.
The confirmation by Guinness World Records marks a significant milestone for Afrobeats, highlighting the genre’s continued global evolution. By merging orchestral performance with contemporary African sound, Trench Symphony demonstrates the expanding creative possibilities within Afrobeats and reinforces Lagos’ position as a global cultural hub for African music.
“Trench Symphony was born from a simple but powerful belief: that African music, in its truest and most authentic form, belongs on the world’s biggest stages,” said Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi. “We did not set out simply to break a record, we set out to create a defining cultural moment. This achievement demonstrates what is possible when African vision, excellence and scale converge. From Lagos to the world, Afrobeats continues to expand its creative boundaries.”
Following the official record confirmation, Dapper Live has announced plans to take Trench Symphony on a major 2026 tour across ten Nigerian states, before expanding internationally to London, Birmingham, Dublin, Paris and select cities in Canada. Tour dates and ticketing information will be announced in the coming months as the platform continues its mission to present African music on the global stage in its most ambitious and authentic form.
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