Brandy is wrapping up a landmark year in her career with a return to Africa.
According to Ebony, the Grammy-winning singer will headline Flytime’s House of R&B in Lagos, Nigeria, on Dec. 20. The performance will take place at the Eko Convention Center as part of the city’s annual Detty December festivities, showcasing more than three decades of her music. The concert will kick off six nights of Flytime events and mark Brandy’s return to Lagos, where she previously performed at Classic FM’s Valentine’s concert in 2014.
Her return comes after a year filled with significant career achievements. Brandy received the Recording Academy and Black Music Collective’s Black Music Icon Award, earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and saw her memoir, PHASES, debut at No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list.
Brandy also returned to television history by recording the theme song for the upcoming sequel to A Different World.
Meanwhile, another generation of the Norwood family is beginning to establish its own identity in the music industry. Brandy’s daughter, Sy’rai Smith, released her debut project, Cold War, this year after spending much of her life being recognized publicly as the daughter of the celebrated singer.
“This project is kind of speaking my own identity and what I’ve gone through,” Sy’rai said while discussing Cold War. “Having her as one of my biggest inspirations, yes. But I still have my own life and my own journey.”
Brandy’s influence on her daughter goes beyond music. When asked about the advice her mother gave her for navigating the entertainment industry, Sy’rai highlighted the importance of confidence and standing firm in her decisions.
“Be strong and trust your gut,” Sy’rai said. “Trust in yourself. Trust in God.” She added that Brandy taught her that as long as “you know yourself and you know your worth, you’ll make it far.”
The mother-daughter duo also appeared together in Lifetime’s Christmas Everyday. Brandy executive-produced and starred in the holiday film, while Sy’rai made her acting debut. The movie also featured Brandy’s 2023 song of the same name.
Before heading to Nigeria, Brandy is scheduled to perform at South Africa’s All White Soul Sessions in Cape Town on Dec. 14, followed by two shows in Pretoria on Dec. 17 and 18.
Her upcoming Lagos performance will take place during Detty December, the annual season of concerts, parties and cultural celebrations that attracts Nigerians, international visitors and members of the African diaspora to West Africa during the holiday period.
Wizkid is also scheduled to headline the opening concert of Detty December Fest in Lagos on Dec. 18.
