In 2025, Nigeria recorded one of its more active years for music-driven cultural events, with Hennessy Artistry contributing to this landscape through a multi-city series that combined live performances with interactive experiences, writes Vanessa Obioha.
Hennessy Artistry returned in 2025 with a series of events held across major Nigerian cities, continuing its long-running focus on music, style and creative expression. The campaign, which spanned several months, featured live performances, curated experiences and audience engagement activities, drawing thousands of attendees nationwide.
It kicked off in May in Lagos, where over 2,000 guests attended the opening event. The Lagos stop brought together music fans, creatives and industry figures, with Reekado Banks headlining the night. The event established the framework for subsequent editions, combining live music with branded experience zones designed to encourage audience participation.
In July, the campaign moved to Port Harcourt, attracting an estimated 3,500 attendees. Performances by Zlatan and Duncan Mighty reflected a mix of contemporary street music and regional influences. The Port Harcourt edition placed emphasis on local representation, with Duncan Mighty's appearance resonating strongly with the city's music history and audience.
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By September, Hennessy Artistry arrived in Abuja, recording its largest turnout at that point, with over 6,000 guests. Headlined by BNXN, the Abuja event marked a scale-up in attendance and production, reflecting the campaign's growing reach across different regions. The capital's edition maintained the core structure of live performances alongside interactive elements.
The series concluded in Lagos over the weekend of December 13, with an attendance of over 8,000 guests. The final event featured performances by Mavo, Teni, Lil Kesh and Shallipopi, supported by DJs including DJ Consequence, Six7even and Ms DSF, as well as hype performances from Hypeman Jimmy and Jerry Shaffer. The finale served as the closing chapter of the year-long campaign.
The Lagos finale also attracted several figures from Nigeria's entertainment and lifestyle scene, including Hennessy brand ambassadors Neo and Liquorose, as well as Sheggz, Bright Morgan, Kolapo, Ozo, Samuel Bankz, Yhemolee and Eniola Tizzle.
Across its locations, the campaign included interactive experience zones where attendees participated in activities such as cocktail-making, mural painting, custom grillz design and merchandise displays. These elements extended the events beyond live performances and formed a consistent feature of the series.
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From Lagos to Port Harcourt and Abuja, before returning to Lagos, Hennessy Artistry: The Reboot 2025 followed a structured, city-by-city rollout that reflected both audience diversity and regional musical identities. Rather than operating as isolated concerts, the events formed part of a coordinated cultural programme aimed at engaging Nigeria's creative and nightlife communities.
The 2025 edition highlighted the continued role of large-scale, music-led events in shaping Nigeria's contemporary cultural calendar, while demonstrating how brands increasingly position themselves within creative ecosystems rather than alongside them.
