Dapper Live earns Guinness recognition for largest orchestra at an Afrobeats concert and announces plans for a global tour
Dapper Live has announced plans for international expansion after receiving official recognition from Guinness World Records for staging the largest orchestra at an Afrobeats concert.
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The milestone was achieved during Trench Symphony: The Dapper Live Experience, held on December 16, 2025, at the Balmoral Eko Convention Centre inside the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
More than 80 orchestra members performed alongside leading Afrobeats artistes in what organisers described as a landmark fusion of classical orchestration and contemporary African music.
The production was conceived and executive produced by Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dapper Group.
The concept reimagined Afrobeats performance through a full orchestral arrangement, a format increasingly gaining global attention within live music productions.
Speaking on the achievement, Akinwunmi described the project as a powerful cultural statement.
“Trench Symphony was born from a simple but powerful belief that African music belongs on the world’s biggest stages,” Akinwunmi said.
“We did not set out simply to break a record; we set out to create a defining cultural moment.”
The concert featured performances by artistes including T.I. Blaze, TML Vibez, Bhadboi OML, Rybeena, Lasmid, Cazulee, Kashcoming, and DWillsHarmony, with special guest appearances from Fuji icons Saheed Osupa and K1 De Ultimate.
Musical direction for the show was led by Bazzman Sam, with orchestral conductors Fatola and Clintonic overseeing the live performance.
Creative direction was handled by Director K, while sound production was supervised by Temitayo “Tee Y Mix” Ibitoye with engineering by Mr Bassey.
The event itself was directed by Dunni Akinwunmi, with Owambe Events serving as show producer.
Industry observers say the recognition reflects the rapid commercial evolution of Afrobeats, as organisers experiment with bold, large scale productions aimed at global audiences.
The achievement also strengthens Lagos’ reputation as a dynamic creative hub for African music.
Following the Guinness recognition, Dapper Live confirmed plans to take Trench Symphony on a nationwide tour across 10 Nigerian states in 2026 before expanding internationally.
Planned destinations include London, Birmingham, Dublin, Paris, and selected cities in Canada.
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Tour dates and ticketing information are expected to be released in the coming months as the company positions African music productions more competitively within the global live entertainment market.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
