- This project, according to Davido,aims to be a captivating platform where the world can immerse themselves in the melodies and artistry that Africa has to offer, all under one roof.Ā
- He also sees the A.W.A.Y festival as a platform to showcase African culture globally.
Davido, a Popular Nigerian Afrobeat singer is setting out to bring a revolutionizing vision to life.
With a passion to showcase the vibrancy and richness of African culture, Davido envisions creating an awe-inspiring festival that will not only celebrate the continentās diverse traditions but also unite individuals from all walks of life in a grand cultural extravaganza.
Davido discussed his vision for the Are We African Yet? (A.W.A.Y) festival in an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music.The afrobeat singer claims that his goal is to organize a long-running festival that will promote African culture around the globe.
According to Davido, he wants to provide a stage for African musicians to perform and interact with fans around the world. Additionally, he views the A.W.A.Y festival as a vehicle to control the narrative and promote African culture throughout the world.
āSo years ago it was the other way around where itās like the same way we have people coming to Africa, which we love, investing, bringing their own culture over there. Having festivals, in the same way, we should do the same over here. And thatās why Iām having this festival thatās going to be coming every year-
I want to give [different artists] the opportunity to come every year, different times to come and perform. Because they have fans here and they donāt know. Because internet, all you have to do is just drop a song out on TikTok and itās gone. Somebody a billion miles away, it could be their best song and you wouldnāt even know.
I feel like we have to own our culture too. We canāt wait for somebody to bring the idea and be like, āYo, Afrobeats is growing.ā Letās go register for African Coachella or something like that. Iām like, āNo, we got to do this ourselves because this is ours. So we got to own it.ā Down the line if somebody wants to partnerā¦
But the vision I have, Iām talking 10 years, 20 years down the line. The vision I have is to create it to be something that is for the culture, not particularly mine. I might be behind it, producing it, All of that. But itās something Iām doing for the culture, which Atlanta definitely is going to have the first couple, but weāve spoken about definitely moving it around because we are everywhere. So definitely I can see maybe LA. I can see Toronto, definitely. So weāre definitely going to move it around.ā he said.
Davido received three nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards, indicating that his great 2023 was recognized. The first A.W.A.Y festival will be held at Atlanta, Georgiaās State Farm Arena on November 18, 2023.