UK Afrobeats culture and expanding role of Nigeria’s Olalekan Adeyemo

Since relocating to the United Kingdom in 2023, Olalekan Adeyemo, professionally known as Papichulo, has been establishing a steady presence within the UK’s African cultural and Afrobeats events space. His work spans multiple cities, including Sheffield, Manchester, London, Bradford, Derby, Newcastle, and Lincoln, where he has participated in a variety of events ranging from community-led cultural gatherings to large-scale nightlife experiences.

Operating as a performance MC, his responsibilities extend beyond conventional event hosting. His role typically involves coordinating programme flow, sustaining audience engagement, and ensuring continuity across different segments of live events. This often requires adaptability across diverse formats, from structured conferences to open festival environments and high-energy nightlife settings. In each context, his contribution centres on maintaining cohesion between performers, organisers, and audiences.

One of his notable appearances came on July 13, 2024, at the Naija Food Carnival held at Network in Sheffield. The event brought together over 20 licensed vendors and attracted a diverse audience, offering a platform for Nigerian cuisine, music, and cultural expression.

As the MC, Papichulo was responsible for guiding the event’s progression, facilitating transitions between performances, and keeping attendees engaged throughout the day.

Later that year, he hosted The Market Place Party, held at the Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association (SADACCA). The event ran continuously from the afternoon of September 21 into the early hours of September 22, 2024. Designed as a full-day cultural experience, it brought together members of African and Caribbean communities through food, music, and live entertainment. His role in this setting required sustained interaction with attendees over an extended period, as well as coordination with performers and vendors to ensure a seamless experience.

In 2025, his involvement expanded into more structured professional settings through participation in the inaugural Nigerian Business Summit (NBS Conference) in Derby. This two-day conference positioned him not only as an event host but also as part of the organising team. His dual role demonstrated an ability to function across both entertainment-driven environments and formal, business-oriented platforms. It also reflected a broader scope of engagement within diaspora-led initiatives that intersect culture, entrepreneurship, and networking.

By 2026, Papichulo had continued to feature prominently in cultural programming, including his role as the official MC at the Afro Naija Food Festival in Derby. The event drew significant attendance and included notable figures such as Catherine Atkinson, a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, and Ndukwe Onuoha, recognised as the first African councillor on Derby City Council. Within this context, his responsibilities included managing stage flow, engaging a large and diverse audience, and supporting the overall delivery of the event.

In addition to festival and conference appearances, he has maintained an active presence within the UK Afrobeats nightlife circuit. These events play a key role in sustaining the visibility of Afrobeats culture within diaspora communities, particularly among younger audiences. Through consistent participation in such platforms, he contributes to the ongoing expansion of the genre’s cultural footprint across the UK.

His activities are not limited to the UK alone. He has also appeared at Afrobeats-focused events in Albania, indicating a gradual extension of his work into international diaspora spaces. This reflects a broader trend in which African music and culture continue to gain traction across non-traditional markets, supported by event hosts and performers who can engage multicultural audiences.

As his portfolio continues to grow, there is increasing recognition of his involvement in events that promote African culture and community engagement. His work illustrates the role of performance MCs in shaping audience experience, particularly within events that rely heavily on live interaction and cultural immersion.

Looking ahead, the Afro Naija Food Festival is scheduled to return for its second edition on May 30, 2026, in Leicester. The upcoming event is expected to attract wider media attention, including coverage from major outlets such as the BBC. This points to a broader increase in visibility for African-led cultural platforms in the UK, as well as a growing demand for skilled hosts capable of managing large, diverse audiences.

Within this evolving landscape, individuals like Papichulo represent a segment of contributors working behind and alongside performers to deliver cohesive event experiences. His continued involvement across multiple cities and event types suggests a sustained engagement with the UK’s African cultural scene, particularly in areas where music, food, and community intersect.