This curated playlist is designed to complement the runway exhibitions of these designers, creating a seamless union of music and fashion. The 2023 edition of Lagos Fashion Week is to be held from October 24 to October 29.

The ten designers featured on the playlist include Abigail Ajobi, Emmanuel Okoro, Frank Aghuno, Bubu Ogisi, Aristide Loua, Michelle Adepoju, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Sisiano Paolo, Taju Ibrahim, and Iona McCreath, representing various parts of the African continent, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya.

Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artiste and Label Partnerships Manager for West Africa emphasized the interconnectedness of music and fashion, with both mutually influencing each other in the realm of creativity and self-expression.

Spotify’s support for various creative facets, including fashion, is evident in this partnership with Lagos Fashion Week.

He said,

He said that the playlist curated by these designers includes music genres, featuring Afrobeats tracks from renowned artists such as Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema.

It also includes Afropop hits from Mali’s Fatoumata Diawara, classics from Fela Kuti, and alternative sounds from emerging Nigerian talents like SGaWD and Lady Donli, among others.

The “Fashion Forward” playlist, which has nearly 46,000 saves, is one of Spotify’s highly favoured fashion playlists, catering to a diverse audience ranging from young adults in their late teens to individuals in their forties. It enjoys global popularity in cities like Lagos, and Los Angeles, and in countries such as Japan and the UK.

According to Okpala,

“Listeners can expect to discover Afropop hits from the likes of Mali’s Fatoumata Diawara, a dive back into the past with Fela Kuti, along with alternative sounds from emerging Nigerian talents such as SGaWD and Lady Donli, Ghana’s Amaarae and Kenya’s Just a Band.

“The Fashion Forward playlist, boasting nearly 46,000 saves, stands as one of Spotify’s highly favoured fashion playlists, joining the ranks of others like Runway and Fit Check.

“Its audience spans from young adults in their late teens to individuals in their forties.

“Notably, it enjoys widespread popularity in diverse global cities including Lagos and Los Angeles, as well as countries like Japan and the UK.”

Additionally, Spotify has collaborated with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to introduce the official playlist for New York Fashion Week’s 2023 edition. This partnership aims to enhance the music experience during the event.

Previously, Thebe Magugu, an African-based fashion designer, made history as the first to curate the “Fashion Forward” playlist in March. The playlist he curated featured a diverse selection of songs and artists from various eras, providing a unique musical journey.

Emmanuel Okoro, Creative Director of Emmy Kasbit, emphasized the symbiotic relationship between music and fashion, highlighting how they go hand in hand to set the mood and tone of fashion shows and performances.

He stated,

This partnership between Spotify and Lagos Fashion Week underscores the vital connection between these creative realms.

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