Over 25,000 fans filled the arena to capacity. Credit: IG
Just like South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest did at Orlando Stadium recently, Nigerian rapper Phyno filled the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Nigeria during his 2016 hometown concert on November 20.
Over 25,000 fans filled the arena to
capacity to make the show become one the biggest ever music concerts in
the country by an individual artiste.
capacity to make the show become one the biggest ever music concerts in
the country by an individual artiste.
P-Square performing during Phyno’s concert in Enugu. Credit: IG
Many concertgoers that bought tickets
for N200 (regular) and N500 (VIP) couldn’t get in. Some had to scale
over the fence to gain access into the venue, while others were stranded
outside as the show went on from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
for N200 (regular) and N500 (VIP) couldn’t get in. Some had to scale
over the fence to gain access into the venue, while others were stranded
outside as the show went on from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Trouble began from the very beginning of
the show when the country’s anthem was being recited to honour the
presence of state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu, who also hails from Enugu.
the show when the country’s anthem was being recited to honour the
presence of state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu, who also hails from Enugu.
Spectators however didn’t want the anthem and began throwing dangerous items, including plastic tiles, at entertainers like Yaw, Funny Bone and Humblesmith who were spotted at the time of the incident.
Comedians, Yaw and Funny Bone were
injured, and it took the intervention of Phyno on stage before
Humblesmith could perform with his band.
injured, and it took the intervention of Phyno on stage before
Humblesmith could perform with his band.
Also, while M.I Abaga
was performing, bouncers beat up a fan and his associates had to fight
back. Everyone on stage was attacked at that moment, leading to the
damage of equipment, including speakers and light. The rapper had to run
off the stage when it got out of hand.
was performing, bouncers beat up a fan and his associates had to fight
back. Everyone on stage was attacked at that moment, leading to the
damage of equipment, including speakers and light. The rapper had to run
off the stage when it got out of hand.
Phyno and Olamide in Enugu
‘It felt like everybody in Enugu left their houses for that concert,’ an eyewitness told Thenetng.
Overcrowding is one of the reasons
stewards had a lot to handle at the concert. Phyno however tried all he
could to stop the uproar by taking charge as MC till the end of his
show.
stewards had a lot to handle at the concert. Phyno however tried all he
could to stop the uproar by taking charge as MC till the end of his
show.