If you truly know Lagos and what colours the city is painted in, you will agree with the school-of-thoughts that always believed that Lagos in December is less of a city and more of a living breathing creature. It is loud, it is frantic, and it is beautiful. But Friday night at Ilubirin for the “Detty December Fest 2025” felt different. There was this heavy, electric anticipation in the air that you only get when a legend is about to touch the soil after fifteen long years.
From glittering gowns to tailored suits, the evening was a celebration of fashion’s diversity. Celebrities turned heads, each making powerful statements with their party wardrobe selections. The event runway became a battleground for fans’ anticipation.
I became a fan tonight after watching you perform.
Spliff Star
When Busta Rhymes finally stepped onto that stage, flanked by the eternal energy of Spliff Star, the world stopped for a second. We were not just watching a concert; we were witnessing a homecoming. But the moment that is currently burned into each fan’s brain and honestly, the one everyone is talking about wasn’t just Busta’s speed. It was the moment he and Spliff Star paused to give flowers to our very own “Uzi The Great,” Uzikwendu. Yes, I am talk about the Fastest Rapper (Beast) in Africa.
If you know anything about rap, you know Spliff Star is arguably the greatest hype man to ever hold a microphone. He is the heartbeat of Busta’s performance. So, when Spliff and Busta took a breather from their high-octane set to acknowledge the supporting acts, the energy shifted.
Uzikwendu had already set the stage on fire earlier. If you have ever heard him rap, you know he is not just “fast”, he is precise. He is a technician. Seeing Busta Rhymes, the undisputed king of the “chopper” style, look out into the Lagos crowd and acknowledge Uzi felt like a spiritual passing of the torch. Busta did not just give a polite nod; he and Spliff Star really hailed him. They recognized the craft live on camera and on video on Africentra and other media present witness and captured that moment.
I remember standing there thinking, did Spliff and Busta really just call him a beast? Yes, they did. It was one of those rare, unscripted moments of genuine respect between artists that makes these festivals worth the Lagos traffic.
Here is Why I Think This Shoutout Matters for Africa’s Hip Hop and Music
Honestly, it is easy to get caught up in the flashy lights and the pyrotechnics of Detty December. We see international stars come and go every year. But having a veteran like Busta Rhymes and the World’s greatest Hip Hop Hype Man alive, the legend who literally defined the fast-rap subgenre and another legend who has been the energy pill and booster behind the entire hip hop stages for decades, stand on a Nigerian stage and say, “I see you, Uzikwendu,” is a massive win for the local hip-hop scene in not just Nigeria but the whole of Africa.
It felt like a validation of the work Uzi has put in for years. Let’s be real, rap often takes a backseat to Afrobeats in this climate. But on Friday night, hip-hop was the protagonist. Uzikwendu’s performance was massive, the crowd was responsive, and the vibe was just… correct. Maybe I should say correct jor…
The rest of the night was a blur of nostalgia and pure adrenaline. Busta and Spliff Star ran through the hits like they were still in their twenties. We got “Touch It,” “Break Ya Neck,” and “Pass the Courvoisier Part II.” At one point, Busta even invited the fans to come closer, effectively dissolving the VIP barriers. It was chaotic in the best way possible.
He kept telling us, “We are home.” And you could tell he meant it. This wasn’t a “check the box” tour stop. He was soaking in the Lagos energy, the same energy that Uzikwendu feeds on every time he steps into a booth.
I think what made this specific interaction so special was the lack of ego. You have Busta Rhymes, a man with twelve Grammy nominations and a legacy that spans decades, and he is still curious and appreciative of the talent on the ground. It makes me wonder, is there a collaboration coming? Imagine a track with Busta and Uzikwendu. My speakers would probably catch fire, but I am here for it.
As I sat back and watched the LED screens flicker against the Lagos lagoon, it hit me that this is exactly what Africentra is about. It is about these intersections. It is about the bridge between the diaspora and the motherland becoming so short that you can hear the same rhythm on both sides.
Seeing Spliff Star, the man who has been at Busta’s side through every era of hip-hop matching that energy in Ikoyi was a sight to behold. But again, my mind keeps going back to that shoutout. It was a “real recognize real” moment in its purest form.
Lagos is still buzzing. The videos are all over social media, but being there? That was something else. If you missed it, well, I am sorry, but you missed a piece of history.
