Dapper Group’s Mission: Connecting Africa to the World Through Music

Bringing Africa’s vibrant music scene to global audiences, Dapper Group is redefining the soundscape with innovative concerts and a powerful vision.

A Groundbreaking Moment in Lagos

Last December, I had the privilege of witnessing something truly extraordinary—a moment where music history was made in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria. Damilola Akinwunmi’s company, Dapper Live, shattered the Guinness World Record for “the largest orchestra for an Afrobeats concert.” This spectacular event, dubbed “Trench Symphony,” gathered over 80 orchestral musicians alongside renowned Afrobeats artists such as T.I Blaze, TML Vibez, Bhadboi OML, Rybeena, Lasmid, Cazulee, Kashcoming, and DWillsHarmony.

The magic of this night was no accident; it was a full-circle moment for Akinwunmi, who started his journey in Lagos seven years ago and has since built a powerhouse in the African music scene.

“It meant everything to do this at home, to accomplish our goal of coming up with creative ideas for our concerts that you wouldn’t expect and making things happen that typically wouldn’t in our genre,” Akinwunmi shared.

The Birth and Growth of Dapper Group

What started as a solo dream in 2018 has blossomed into a thriving independent music company now employing 25 people and representing 20 artists. Dapper Group’s prolific distribution has pushed out over 10,000 records in under a decade, hitting a staggering milestone of more than 1 billion streams annually since 2022.

Beyond just music, the company has expanded into a full-service entertainment powerhouse. Under Akinwunmi’s visionary leadership, Dapper Group now includes:

• Dapper Live: The events division, producing innovative concerts like Trench Symphony.
• Dapper Music & Entertainment: Offering artist management and label services.
• Dvpper Digital: Handling digital music distribution.
• Dapper Films: Focused on movie projects.
• S94: The publishing arm.
• BOP (Bangers Only Productions): Managing producers and songwriters.

This 360-degree approach centers around a singular mission: Connecting Africa to the world through music.

Why Music Is Africa’s Best Ambassador

When I chatted with Akinwunmi, his passion for merging culture and music was palpable. He noted an insightful truth about the global fascination with Africa:

“People, especially Black Americans and even white people, want to be connected to Africa. They want to learn about Africa, and one of the easiest ways to learn about Africa is from the music.”

This isn’t just about the beats or catchy rhythms; it’s about storytelling, culture, and connection. According to Akinwunmi, music opens doors to conversations about food, language, places, and traditions. And “if you meet an African and you know about African music, you can have a one-hour, two-hour conversation just about the music.”

With the success of Trench Symphony, Dapper Group is gearing up to take the show on tour, both across Nigeria and internationally, including stops in London, Birmingham, Dublin, Paris, and Toronto.

The Guinness World Record Journey: Inspiration and Challenges

The spark for attempting a Guinness World Record came from a personal place for Akinwunmi. His girlfriend had just set her own record in 2022 for the longest cooking marathon, fueling his belief that he could push boundaries too.

He also drew inspiration from hip-hop artist Young Jeezy, who had previously accomplished something similar for hip-hop music. Akinwunmi thought, “why not Afrobeats?”

However, blending an orchestra with street-style Afrobeats wasn’t a straightforward task. Many of the label’s artists represent raw, indigenous African subgenres, rich in cultural authenticity but not traditionally paired with classical orchestration.

“The idea for mixing an orchestra with the kind of music that we do, it didn’t make sense on paper because a lot of the artists from our label would be termed as street artists.”

Despite the initial doubts, the team pushed forward, rehearsing for nearly two months with a smaller orchestra before bringing in the full group three weeks prior to the event. Managing the sheer number of musicians and syncing styles was “pretty hectic,” but everyone was driven by the shared vision, and the final performance was a triumph.

What It Feels Like When Orchestras Meet Afrobeats

If you haven’t witnessed an orchestra and Afrobeats collide, it’s a sonic feast. Akinwunmi, who grew up playing clarinet and saxophone, shares a personal connection to the fusion:

“It really was a full-circle moment that we were able to do this… When I was young, I never understood why I had to listen to classical music like Beethoven… But I knew if you were to add an orchestra to Afrobeats, there’s a sheer musicality and originality like you wouldn’t believe, because it’s so soulful.”

African music, he explains, is incredibly rich with diverse instruments and melodies, and orchestral music shares that depth in its own way. The fusion creates a synergy that’s both soulful and exhilarating, perfect for both musical purists and newcomers.

You can get a taste of this incredible experience on their YouTube performance of Trench Symphony.

From University Dreams to Industry Powerhouse

Akinwunmi’s journey into music management began humbly during his university days around 2016-2017. Despite not having formal education in the field, he learned through hustle—reading, watching interviews, networking, and hands-on experience.

He embraced the rise of social media as a tool for music promotion early on, helping develop artists and producers and crafting a sustainable ecosystem for the industry.

“It was more about building an ecosystem that would outlive and outlast just what we’re doing right now but being able to build systems that people are also able to benefit from.”

Creating Dapper Group: A Vision for Africa’s Music Industry

The decision to launch Dapper Group stemmed from a deep understanding of Nigeria’s music scene and its impending evolution. Streaming was exploding globally, and Nigerian music was poised for its own breakthrough beyond local borders.

Akinwunmi saw a gap: while international players dominated music investment, local investment and understanding were lacking.

“We don’t leave it to foreigners to do it. And I genuinely don’t believe that anybody can understand it as much as somebody who’s living here…”

Dapper Group aims to nurture talent and give back to the community while helping African artists gain global recognition.

The Road Ahead: Global Ambitions and New Horizons

Looking forward, Dapper Group wants to expand Trench Symphony on a global scale. The show has attracted immense demand, and the team is ready to bring it to universities and cultural centers across the UK, Paris, and beyond.

Though visa issues delayed a planned US visit, they’re committed to making that happen soon.

Akinwunmi’s mindset embodies the relentless Nigerian spirit of self-improvement—always pushing boundaries, not to compete with others, but to outdo themselves.

“For me, this is just the beginning.”

FAQ

• How many musicians performed at the Trench Symphony concert?
  Over 80 orchestral members joined Afrobeats artists on stage, setting a Guinness World Record.
• What is Dapper Group’s main mission?
  To connect Africa to the world through music by innovating within the industry and promoting African artists globally.
• Which services does Dapper Group offer?
  They provide a full range of services including event production, artist management, digital distribution, film projects, publishing, and producer/songwriter management.
• Where is Trench Symphony headed next?
  The show is set to tour Nigeria and international cities like London, Birmingham, Dublin, Paris, and Toronto, with plans to visit the US soon.
• How did Akinwunmi learn about the music industry?
  Through self-education, mentorship, hands-on experience, and leveraging social media from his university days onward.

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