Within the last five years Afrobeats has risen in popularity due to the music from artists such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and many others. The genre stems from the music of West Africa with some influences from American hip-hop, jazz, and calypso, creating a sound that is undeniable, positive, and most importantly, fun to dance to.
Meet Ehimwenma Ima-Edomwonyi, born in Nigeria and the holder of an MBA in finance from New Jersey City University, he is an Afrobeats connoisseur who has founded the event Jollof N’ Chill, a celebration of all things African; not just the music, but also the culture, the food, the art, and businesses representing all the countries in the African continent. These Afro-centered events support diversity among the countries as well as bring new ears to the Afrobeats sound.
“Our mission is to inspire individuals of all backgrounds to hear, see, and taste Africa. Our events bring people of all cultures and backgrounds together. We continue to bring people from all over the world to learn, embrace, and empower African cultures. Our events have been the core of our community’s growth. People have used the opportunity to expand their worldly views, cultural knowledge, and connections with each other,” stated Edomwonyi when asked about the purpose of his Jollof N’ Chill events.
Since 2018, Jollof N’ Chill has toured to major cities where there is a heavy presence of West Africans, such as New York, Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles, building a following and seeing an increase in diversity among its attendees.
We hope to connect our growing audiences with parts of the African culture they might have only seen on social media. Our joy is bringing together all African descendants from outside/within the diaspora and individuals who appreciate African culture,” says Edomwonyi.
Of course, like most businesses, the Jollof N’ Chill events took a heavy hit during the pandemic. But Edomwonyi, is no stranger to adversity and is looking to make 2022 his year of expansion.
To learn more about Jollof N’ Chill visit their Instagram page: @jollofnchill, their next event will be for Juneteenth in New York City.