This year marks 10 years of the African Legends Night, traditionally held in Ghana to honour musical icons from the continent. An initiative of Global Media Alliance (GMA), the high-profile concert also celebrates Africa's rich and diverse musical cultures and distinct musical sounds. 

African music has come a long way, and when the idea of African Legends Night was conceived, it immediately targeted a global reach using our most renowned voices. 

How it started

The programme’s first headliner was the late South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, known for his exceptional jazz compositions and for writing well-known anti-apartheid songs such as ‘Soweto Blues’ and ‘Bring Him Back Home’.

Since then, the event has witnessed over 20 other headliners and close to 50 performances, notable among them being Daddy Lumba, Kojo Antwi and Gyedu Blay Ambulley (Ghana), Yvonne Chaka Chaka (South Africa), Femi Kuti and 2Baba Idibia (Nigeria), Awilo Longomba and Kanda Bongoman (DRC), and Freddie Meiway (Ivory Coast).

Key milestones

Performers over the years have been carefully selected to fit each year’s creative theme. In 2018, the show, for the first time had an all-Ghanaian lined-up, with memorable sets from Kojo Antwi and Daddy Lumba.

“That year had something new and special,” GMA CEO Ernest Boateng said. “We brought the legends home and wanted Ghanaians to own it. Seeing two of our great Ghanaian music legends that had never been seen on the same stage for many years performing was amazing.”

In 2019, the concert hosted Congolese soukous superstar Awilo Longomba, and 2Baba Idibia, one of Nigeria’s most decorated musicians. The two were joined by Kojo Antwi and Ofori Amponsah. Due to the growth in numbers in terms of attendance, 2019 saw the concert being moved into a much bigger venue; The Grand Arena at the Accra International Conference Centre.

“These legends have played many major shows, have won multiple awards?—?both local and international and they gave masterpiece performances that created an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of the audience,” said GMA head of events Jerry Ofori.

African Legends Night has been awarded the Golden World Award by the respected International Public Relations Association in the category of Events Management for the planning and delivery of a successful event with a PR dimension. The award was in recognition of the event’s role in celebrating living African music greats who have put the continent’s music on the global map.

Some interesting facts

Aside from serving as the first headline artist for African Legends Night, Hugh Masekela was also the first act to render back-to-back performances on the prestigious stage, as he was invited back the following year. 

In 2016, Yvonne Chaka Chaka became the first female headliner at the African Legends Night. That year was also female-dominated, with Akosua Agyapong, Wiyaala, Becca and eShun completing the lineup.

What to expect this year

In marking its 10th anniversary, the concert has, for the first time, been moved from its traditional month of September to December.

What is also known is that all the headline performers will be Ghanaian. The main event is expected to be launched on 26 October at the National Museum of Ghana, where the performing artists will be unveiled.

Along with new upcoming initiatives, organisers promise a boundary-pushing ceremony that will continue to fly the flag of Africa high.

source: musicinafrica