In 2017, a couple of friends sat down at Wendyss Place, Surulere and had a conversation that would quietly reshape Nigeria’s underground music landscape. They’d noticed something troubling: talented artists were being shut out of events because they lacked name recognition. They weren’t given a platform because they lacked influence.
The solution seemed simple: bring these people together, bring their communities together and showcase each artist to everybody’s community. Seven years later, that simple idea has become synonymous with discovering greatness before the mainstream catches on. Buju (now BNXN), MOJO, Straffiti, Laime, Zilla Oaks, artists who’ve gone on to become stars in their own right, all performed at Greencamp when they were still building.
Growth, Organic and Steady
Greencamp’s journey from 2017 to now can be described in one word: organic. The major event happens once a year, which means growth has been measured, deliberate, and real. The early years came with challenges. There was the unfortunate association with marijuana. Greencamp’s emphasis on freedom and community resonated with what cannabis culture stood for, but the illegality in Nigeria created problems. Since 2022, the organisation has tackled the misrepresentation head-on, and new audiences discover Greencamp for exactly what it is: a platform for exceptional talent.
Funding has been the other major hurdle. Greencamp operates essentially as a charity organisation, with people working almost for free. They don’t charge artists. Events are priced cheaply. Everything operates on the belief that people deserve access to great art without mainstream media gatekeeping what they should consume.
But the tide is turning. This year, there’s a recognition happening in the underground space generally, and Greencamp is firmly in the conversation. After years of building quietly, people are finally understanding what they’ve been doing all along.
The Method
Greencamp operates as a non-governmental organisation that scouts talent across different spheres: music performances, DJ sets, dance, visual art, and creative production. But it’s the selection process that sets them apart. Every year, starting around July or August, a sound board opens where everyone contributes. Team members, community members, and anyone can submit names through social media platforms.
The process is democratic: everyone reviews submissions, and they select people to reach out to, focusing on those who are undeniably good and understand what Greencamp wants to do. The other side is open auditions, where the top 10-15 applicants come for physical tryouts, and the crowd votes on who performs at the main event.
The roster of past performers tells the story: Buju (now BNXN), Mojo, Laimé, Straffiti, Sgawd, Zilla Oaks, Francis Jide for art, Champ, Daltimore and Thirsty for fashion showcases. And one of last year’s crowd favourites, Zaylevelten, has gone on to have a breakthrough moment in 2025.
Beyond the Festival
While Greencamp’s annual festival remains the centrepiece, they’ve expanded into mini-activations: collaborations with venues like Mainland House for See the DJs, smaller music showcases, and individual creative exhibitions. The idea is simple: the community shouldn’t have to wait until December to connect.
This year’s collaboration with Mainland House stands out. Planned in just two weeks, it turned out excellently, demonstrating the experience and infrastructure Greencamp has built over seven years. Between performances at these activations, there are dance sessions where DJs just play, giving people time to rave, party, and let loose.
Vision and Legacy
At its core, Greencamp is building community. A community of creatives, music lovers, and entertainment enthusiasts, enjoying music and entertainment that isn’t otherwise in the mainstream media. It’s about preservation of culture, authenticity in a space increasingly dominated by paid placements and manufactured hype.
Most things in mainstream media are paid for, which means anyone with money can buy their way in regardless of authenticity. Greencamp exists to preserve authenticity in the entertainment space. The sweetest part? The community determines who gets showcased. A collective of creatives, music lovers, art enthusiasts, scouts, and investors in tune with entertainment and arts that are not necessarily mainstream.
The philosophy is clear: music, art, and entertainment should be people representing themselves, representing their community, communicating what’s happening. It shouldn’t be watered down just for entertainment purposes. It has a cultural impact.
Rushmore: The Best of the Underground
This year’s edition carries a name that might stick around: Rushmore. The reference to Mount Rushmore is deliberate. It’s a representation of the top people doing this thing right in this space, the best of the underground.
On November 29th at Freedom Park, Greencamp presents Rushmore Naija Underground, a showcase of exceptional talents that include Artsalghul, Scottyolorin, Fimi, Mxna, Ravington and many more. Each artist represents a different sonic universe, all united by a refusal to compromise. This year, they’re experimenting with letting the crowd pick the best performer of the night, adding a competitive spirit and giving attendees a direct voice in recognising excellence.
Greencamp’s pitch is straightforward: if you actively search for new musicians, new artists, new sounds, then this is offering something rare. It’s an introduction to greatness. The best underground musicians in Lagos, underground DJs, underground painters, underground creatives, all performing in their element.
The message to anyone who’s heard about Greencamp but never attended is simple: come with an open mind. No matter what you’ve heard before, come and have an experience for yourself. These are the best talents the organisers could find, and they’re confident these artists can compete on any stage.
Every time Greencamp asks for volunteers from the community, people show up. Every year, the events get better. Every artist who’s performed has walked away without complaint because they were treated with the respect their art deserves.
Seven years in, Greencamp has proven something essential: there’s an appetite for authenticity, for discovery, for art that hasn’t been filtered through corporate interests and radio politics. The underground scene is having its moment, and on November 29th at Freedom Park, Greencamp brings together the best of it.
The question isn’t whether greatness exists in Nigeria’s underground. It’s whether you’re ready to discover it.
