By: Emmanuel Esomnofu
It was supposed to be just another DJ set. OlayemiMusic was meant to simply cue Teni’s songs and keep things smooth while she performed at the Greater Lagos Fiesta.
But what happened on that stage? Far from “just another set”. It turned into one of the
most talked-about highlights of the entire event. And trust Lagosians, if something dey
hot, dem no dey keep quiet.
The Greater Lagos Fiesta, as announced by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, was a 72-hour entertainment marathon. From
December 29 to the early hours of January 1, Lagos was on fire across multiple venues
like Sol Beach Oniru, Agege Stadium, Badagry Grammar School, Epe Recreational Centre, and Ikorodu Town Hall. Over 25,000 people came out to enjoy the vibes, and this time, the state even used the opportunity to market its beach tourism potential. Na Lagos we dey talk about.
Now back to OlayemiMusic, He is also a music producer. A lot of people probably didn’t even notice when he climbed the stage to set up for Teni. “You know how people dey behave when DJ enter stage — eyes dey wait for the artiste” this translates to how people focus on artiste and barely notice DJ on set. But once Teni started singing, and the beats started rolling, people began to look around. The sound wasn’t the same old beats from the studio version. It was richer, fuller, and somehow felt alive. That’s because OlayemiMusic didn’t just play her songs. While many artiste and their Dj will just played already released version of their hit songs, OlayemiMusic came prepared with custom-made performance beats that gave each track new life.
Take “Uyo Meyo” for instance. That moment alone deserves a review of its own. The
beat had traditional percussions that felt spiritual. You could hear the Ondo roots in it — a proper homage to Teni’s heritage. Most people don’t know the song is actually rooted in old folk music from Ondo, but somehow, Olayemi tapped into that origin and brought it to life on stage. He didn’t just remix it, he respected it. That kind of cultural touch no be everyday thing, especially from someone behind the deck.
Teni herself was shocked. You could see it on her face. She started vibing differently. She paused at one point, laughed, then shouted into the mic, “We want to party!” And the crowd echoed back. “Teni! Olayemi! We want to party!” The connection was instant, and the energy in the venue jumped. Everyone felt it. Even the bouncers at the side dey nod head.
Their set wasn’t even that long— the time slot was short because of the packed lineup. But the chemistry between Teni and Olayemi was so mad that the short time didn’t matter. It was pure vibes. When Teni finished and left the stage, everybody expected things to wind down. But Olayemi stayed back behind the deck and continued giving the audience heat. For another 30 minutes or so, he was mixing and remixing other artists’ songs live. People didn’t want to leave. Some had even started forming dance circles. E resemble small owambe inside the Fiesta.
The thing wey make this performance stand out no just be say the music sweet. It was
the way OlayemiMusic understood the assignment. He didn’t just play music. He added value. He made Teni sound like she was performing new versions of her songs. That’s real creativity. That’s what we need more of on our stages.
In a show filled with stars and surprises, this was one of those moments that wasn’t advertised, but everyone who was there will remember it. OlayemiMusic proved that DJs
are not just background guys pressing play. He showed what happens when a DJ truly
understands music, the artist, and the audience. He made it an experience. And trust Naija people — when something sweet them, dem dey carry am for head.
Now people are asking questions like, “Who be that DJ wey play for Teni?” “Why he
never headline his own set?” “Why and Wetin we go see if dem give am full one hour?” These are valid questions. If he could do this in a short time, imagine what he would do with proper time and full spotlight.
With what we saw at Greater Lagos Fiesta, it’s clear that OlayemiMusic isn’t just another guy behind the console. He’s an artist in his own right. Lagos has seen something special, and if there’s any sense in the entertainment industry, they better not let this talent go unnoticed. Next Fiesta, don’t be surprised if OlayemiMusic’s name is on the main lineup. Because this one no be fluke — he’s got it.
and then