Last weekend, leading platform for youth, music, and pop culture, MTV Base turned the heat on Calabar, Cross River State capital with ‘Base Day Calabar’, a high-energy outdoor music rave that lit the city on Sunday, June 29, at Hogis Royale Car Park, State Housing Estate.

  The music event was an electrifying mix of DJ sets, live performances, dance showcases, and the unmistakable MTV Base vibe that has resonated with audiences across the continent for two decades.

  Hosted by ex-Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) housemate, Neo Akpofure, with performances from some of Calabar’s finest rising stars, Omizzy, Harcher and Czn Baby, this leg of the culture takeover, blending the best of sound, style, and community spirit in three of Nigeria’s most vibrant cities — Lagos, Abuja and Calabar — was a major milestone for the 24-hour music and entertainment channel that focuses on African youth culture and music.

  The Base Day is part of activities celebrating MTV Base 20 years’ anniversary of amplifying African music, culture, and talent to the world. Since its debut in 2005, the channel has been championing youth voices and nurturing talent from the continent’s most unexpected corners.

  From launching award-winning music videos to propelling local artistes onto global stages, MTV Base has shaped not just what we listen to but how we express ourselves through music, fashion, dance, and identity.

   The Calabar party is the second stop in a thrilling three-part cultural takeover, following a high-energy kickoff in Lagos and building up to a final activation in Abuja designed to help fans “Live the Culture”, bringing the signature MTV Base vibe directly to the fans where they are.

   “Base Day isn’t just another music event; it has become a movement. And this year’s edition is particularly important for us at MTV Base as we honour two decades of connecting with Africa’s vibrant youth community,” said Busola Komolafe, Senior Channels Manager, Paramount Africa.”   

“From Lagos to Calabar and Abuja, we are bringing the party to the streets and honouring the spirit of our audience who have grown with us and helped shape MTV Base over the past 20 years,” she added.

   As the channel continues to build on its legacy since its groundbreaking debut in 2005, Base Day 2025 spotlights the energy and evolution of African pop culture—bringing fans face-to-face with the beats, icons, and epic moments that define the channel’s influence on pop culture trends on the continent.

   Next stop for the Base Day will be at The Buj, in the nation’s capital, where the Romies Block Party Activation is set to light up Abuja. Known for its high-energy vibes and street-style flair, this edition will deliver a bold fusion of music, culture, and community—serving up yet another captivating Base Day experience.