Sunday, April 12, 2026, will remain a memorable day for Oluwadamilare Samuel Akolade, widely known as Boysarm, an emerging Afrobeats artist. He held his outdooring event at the lush garden of the British Council in Ikoyi, Lagos State. The evening featured top-notch entertainment as the promising artist swayed to vibrant sounds, lively celebrations, and youthful energy during the Elite Party EP launch. The event marked the official debut of his album.
A Night to Remember
At the gig, Boysarm performed hit songs such as I go Lie for you, Oroma, Klosa (Berede), and the Elite Anthem to the delight of his friends and a crowd of over 500 listeners from various backgrounds, mostly from the University of Lagos. Boysarm, a student of Linguistics and Yoruba at the University of Lagos, captivated the audience with his urbane rhythm and finesse. Signed to Lestat Entertainment, he proved that he is not just a singer but a consummate artist with limitless potential.
Support from British Council Nigeria
The event was graced by high-net-worth guests from the Nigerian entertainment, media, culture, fashion, and related sectors. It is part of the British Council Nigeria's initiative to support the country's creative sector by providing artists with complimentary access to its venue and opportunities for broader marketing exposure.
During his speech, the representative of the British Council of Nigeria and Head of Arts & Culture, Harry Kesiena, stated that the program is part of the British Council project that offers support for the creative sector. It provides opportunities for young talented artists and exposes them to the United Kingdom market. He noted that the initiative covers 17 different art forms, including visual art, entertainment, fashion, film, and 3D animation. The program was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic because it became difficult for emerging artists to organize classic events due to venue access challenges. The British Council across Nigeria decided to open its venues for creatives to use for their events at no cost.
Kesiena further emphasized that the British Council program also supports fashion stylists to gain new skills while exposing them to the UK market and other parts of Nigeria. The list also includes film, literature, and animation.
Boysarm's Vision
Speaking with the media after his show, Boysarm said the Elite Party offered an opportunity for fans to engage with his music. While assuring fans that his music video will be released soon, he stated, "The Elite Party is not just for the elite, but for lovers of good music." Regarding his music genre, he described it as Afrobeat, but he blends it with other styles. As a student, he combines his music with his studies by ensuring that neither is neglected. He also advised other undergraduate students to focus on their studies while discovering their talents early, particularly on campus.
