Dapper Live, the live events division of Dapper Group, is ramping up plans for international expansion following its official recognition by Guinness World Records as the title holder for the largest orchestra at an Afrobeats concert, it said on Wednesday.
The record was achieved during Trench Symphony: The Dapper Live Experience, held on December 16, 2025, at the Balmoral Eko Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, where more than 80 orchestra members performed live alongside leading Afrobeats artistes in what organisers described as a landmark fusion of classical orchestration and contemporary African music.
The production, conceived and executive produced by Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dapper Group, reimagined Afrobeats performance through a full orchestral arrangement, a format increasingly gaining global attention within live music productions.
Speaking about the achievement, Akinwunmi said the project was designed to demonstrate the global potential of African music beyond conventional concert formats.
“Trench Symphony was born from a simple but powerful belief that African music belongs on the world’s biggest stages,” he said in a statement. “We did not set out simply to break a record; we set out to create a defining cultural moment. This achievement demonstrates what is possible when African vision, excellence and scale converge.”
Performances at the concert featured artistes including T.I. Blaze, TML Vibez, Bhadboi OML, Rybeena, Lasmid, Cazulee, Kashcoming and DWillsHarmony, alongside special guest appearances by Fuji musicians King Dr Saheed Osupa and KS1 Malaika.
Musical direction for the show was led by Bazzman Sam, with conductors Fatola and Clintonic overseeing orchestral execution. Creative direction was handled by Director K, while sound production was supervised by Temitayo “Tee Y Mix” Ibitoye with engineering by Mr Bassey to ensure balance between live orchestration and vocal performances. The event was directed by Dunni Akinwunmi, while Mojoyin of Owambe Events served as show producer.
Industry observers say the recognition reflects the growing commercial evolution of Afrobeats as organisers experiment with large-scale productions aimed at international audiences.
Following the confirmation, Dapper Live announced plans to take Trench Symphony on a nationwide tour across 10 Nigerian states in 2026 before expanding to international markets, including London, Birmingham, Dublin and Paris, as well as selected cities in Canada.
The company said tour dates and ticketing details will be released in the coming months as it seeks to position African music productions more competitively within the global live entertainment market.
The Guinness recognition further reinforces Lagos’ standing as a major creative hub for Afrobeats, as orchestral collaborations and large-format performances increasingly shape the genre’s global appeal.
