Dapper Live has officially been recognised by Guinness World Records for setting the world record for the Largest Orchestra at an Afrobeats Concert.
The historic achievement was recorded during Trench Symphony: The Dapper Live Experience, held on December 16, 2025.
The groundbreaking concert took place at the Balmoral Eko Convention Centre inside the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos.
The event brought together more than 80 orchestral musicians performing live with Afrobeats artists, establishing a new global standard for orchestral performance within African popular music.
A Landmark Moment for Afrobeats
The concert was conceived and executive produced by Damilola Akinwunmi, widely known as “Dapper,” the Group Chief Executive Officer of Dapper Group.
The production sought to reimagine Afrobeats through the grandeur of a full live orchestra.
Performing artists included T.I Blaze, TML Vibez, Bhadboi OML, Rybeena, Lasmid, Cazulee, Kashcoming and DWillsHarmony.
Special guest appearances were made by Fuji legends Saheed Osupa and KS1 Malaika.
Orchestra and Production Excellence
Musical direction for the event was led by Bazzman Sam, while the orchestra was conducted by Fatola and Clintonic.
The production blended classical orchestration with Afrobeats rhythms, delivering a large-scale live musical experience that pushed the creative boundaries of the genre.
Event coordination involved several industry professionals. Kelechi Aquari handled key coordination roles, while creative direction was led by Director K.
Sound production was overseen by Nigerian music producer Temitayo Ibitoye, with engineering support from Mr Bassey to ensure the orchestral instruments and vocal performances were balanced effectively.
The event itself was directed by Dunni Akinwunmi, while show production was managed by Owambe Events, led by Mojoyin.
Expanding the Global Reach of Afrobeats
According to Akinwunmi, the vision behind the event extended beyond record-breaking.
“Trench Symphony was born from a simple belief that African music, in its most authentic form, belongs on the world’s biggest stages,” he said. “This achievement demonstrates what is possible when African creativity, excellence and ambition come together.”
However, the recognition by Guinness World Records highlights the continued evolution and global influence of Afrobeats, which has increasingly been incorporated into large-scale live productions and cross-genre collaborations worldwide.
Trench Symphony 2026 Tour
Meanwhile, following the record confirmation, Dapper Live announced plans to take Trench Symphony on tour across ten Nigerian states in 2026, before expanding internationally.
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Proposed international stops include London, Birmingham, Dublin, Paris and selected cities in Canada.
Tour dates and ticket information are expected to be announced in the coming months as the production prepares to bring its orchestral Afrobeats experience to audiences across Nigeria and internationally.
