Chapter 741: The JD Experience World Tour Begins

The morning of the departure was busier than usual at Dayo’s residence. The travel team had arrived early, and Max was already coordinating with the security personnel to make sure everything was ready before they left. Their luggage had been arranged, the necessary documents had been checked, and the private aircraft was scheduled to depart once everyone was settled.

Dayo came downstairs with Jennifer in his arms while Luna followed behind him, carrying a small bag containing some of their daughter’s things. Jennifer had been unusually active that morning, perhaps because she could sense that something different was happening around her. She kept looking towards the people moving in and out of the house, occasionally making sounds whenever someone passed close to her.

"Have you checked her things?" Dayo asked Luna as he approached the waiting vehicle.

"Twice," she replied. "Her clothes, food, toys and everything else are ready. I also packed a few extra things because I don’t know what we’ll find when we get there."

Dayo smiled. "You know she’s probably going to have more luggage than both of us."

"That’s because she needs more things than both of us," Luna answered, taking Jennifer from him so he could settle his jacket. "Besides, I don’t want to start looking for something important after we’ve already arrived."

Max approached to inform them that the vehicles were ready. Dayo took Jennifer back into his arms, kissed her forehead and followed Luna outside. The security team had already positioned themselves around the vehicles, and within a few minutes, they were on their way.

The JD Experience World Tour was finally beginning, and the first destination was Lagos, Nigeria.

For Dayo, opening the tour in Nigeria was a decision he had wanted from the beginning. He could have started in another country, but he preferred to begin at home, where his root from his mother side is and where so many people had followed his career from its early days.

The flight was comfortable, and the journey passed without any major problems. Luna spent much of the time with Jennifer, while Dayo occasionally discussed the arrival arrangements with Max and the travel team. She had been looking forward to visiting Nigeria with him, although she knew the coming days would be busy.

When the aircraft eventually landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the reception waiting for them was already considerable.

Several members of the Nigerian JD Records team had arrived ahead of time, accompanied by security personnel and representatives responsible for the local arrangements. Fans had also gathered in the designated areas, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dayo as he came out.

Among those waiting was Sheun.

He had arrived much earlier than necessary, partly because he wanted to make sure everything was properly arranged and partly because he was genuinely excited to see Dayo again. Their relationship had grown beyond the usual connection between an artist and a fan a long time ago. Sheun had become someone Dayo trusted, and his responsibility for JD Records’ Nigerian operations had given him an important place within the company.

As soon as Dayo appeared, Sheun moved towards him with a broad smile.

"Ah! Omo, see who finally come back to Lagos!" he called out.

Dayo laughed as he approached him. "Sheun, wetin dey happen? How you dey?"

"I’m good, boss. You nko? You don remember say Lagos still dey?"

"How I no go remember Lagos? Na here I dey come."

"That’s what you always say. But you people will travel up and down, leave us here to be watching you on television."

Dayo laughed and pulled him into a warm embrace. "You still dey complain like this?"

"Of course. Person no fit complain again?"

The two friends exchanged a few more greetings before Sheun stepped aside to welcome Luna. He greeted her warmly and asked how she was doing, then turned his attention to Jennifer, who was watching the unfamiliar faces around her.

"Ah, Jennifer don grow o," he said, smiling at the little girl. "Last time I see her, she still be small baby."

Luna laughed. "She’s still a baby, but she’s getting bigger every day."

Sheun greeted Jennifer, who responded with a small sound before turning towards her father. Dayo found the reaction amusing and carried her closer to Sheun so they could have another look at each other.

After the greetings, Sheun began updating Dayo on the local arrangements. The Nigerian team had already coordinated the transportation, accommodation and security plans, and the preparations at the concert venue were progressing well.

"Everything dey under control," Sheun explained as they walked towards the waiting vehicles. "The team don handle most of the arrangements. The venue people have been working with us, and the local security arrangements are ready. The artists wey you invite, their teams don also start confirming."

"Good. I hope there won’t be any last-minute confusion."

"We dey handle am. You know say I no go allow that kind thing happen."

Dayo looked at him with a smile. "I trust you."

Sheun grinned. "You suppose trust me. Na me be your number one person for Lagos."

"Nobody dey argue that one."

Their conversation continued as they entered the vehicle. For Dayo, seeing Sheun again brought back memories of his earlier visit to Lagos, particularly the charity work he had carried out during that period. Sheun had been one of the people who recorded him during the visit, and the video had spread widely online. That moment had brought Sheun considerable attention among Dayo’s Nigerian followers, but their relationship had developed into something much closer over time.

Dayo had eventually entrusted him with responsibility for the Nigerian branch of JD Records. Sheun had taken the opportunity seriously, and the company had continued to grow its presence in the country under his supervision.

The vehicles left the airport, heading towards their accommodation. Outside, Lagos was moving at its usual pace, with traffic building along the roads and people going about their daily activities. Billboards and advertisements for the upcoming concert had already appeared in different parts of the city, and JD Records’ promotional campaign was visible across several major locations.

Luna looked through the window as they passed some of the busy areas. She had visited Nigeria before, but travelling with Dayo for such a long international tour was a different experience. The city was lively, and the excitement surrounding his arrival was already noticeable.

"Your people are really excited about this concert," she remarked.

Sheun, who was seated nearby, laughed. "You never even see anything. The real thing go happen when we reach the venue."

Dayo looked towards him. "You sure say everything is ready?"

"Boss, I don tell you. Everything dey ready. Just make sure say you no disappoint your people."

"Me? When have I disappointed them?"

"Never. Na why everybody dey wait."

The following hours were spent settling into the hotel and reviewing the remaining arrangements. Luna and Jennifer stayed in their suite while Dayo met with Sheun and some members of the Nigerian team.

The conversation covered the concert, local operations and the artists expected to participate. Several established Nigerian musicians had been invited, alongside younger performers who had built strong audiences in recent years.

Wizkid was among the invited artists, and his participation had already generated considerable interest. Asake and Omah Lay were also expected to be part of the event, alongside other established and emerging musicians. Dayo wanted the concert to include different generations of Nigerian music, giving the audience an opportunity to see several familiar names at one event.

There were, however, some notable absences. Davido had not been invited because of the existing issue between him and Dayo. Neither of them had taken steps to resolve it, and Dayo had no intention of pretending that everything was fine simply because he was organising a major event.

Although he knew some Davido fans might not take it well but it was how the industry work you cant always be friends with everyone.

Sheun had been aware of the invitations and understood the arrangements. He also knew that the event would attract attention because of the artists involved.

"People have been asking about the lineup," Sheun said as he reviewed the latest confirmations. "Some of them are already discussing who they want to see perform."

"That’s expected," Dayo replied. "Just make sure everybody knows their schedule. I don’t want artists waiting around because nobody told them when they’re supposed to perform."

"We’ve sent the information to their teams. The remaining confirmations are being handled."

Dayo looked through the list. He was pleased with the response, particularly because the event brought together musicians who had contributed to different periods of Nigerian music. It wasn’t meant to be a competition between artists. He wanted everyone invited to have a good experience and give the audience a memorable night.

The discussion also touched on JD Records’ Nigerian artists, particularly Frosh and Faith. Both had grown considerably since joining the label, and their names were now familiar to a large number of Nigerian listeners. JD Records had continued investing in their careers, supporting their releases and helping them reach audiences beyond their earlier circles.

Frosh had released several Records through the label, with the third Album already part of his growing catalogue. Faye had also received consistent support, and both artists had benefited from the resources and promotional reach available through JD Records.

Also other of JD artist were also included so not forgetting anyone after all he was their boss so there was no reason for him to not include artist after all it would do the label good and the artist themselves.

Their progress was something Dayo was pleased with. He hadn’t brought them into the company simply to have their names on the roster. He wanted them to develop, release music and establish themselves properly in the industry.

The artists were expected to attend the Lagos event, and they were grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a major gathering. Their teams had already been communicating with the Nigerian branch, and their participation was being coordinated alongside the other invited musicians.

"Our artist also confirmed," Sheun added. "Their teams have been asking about the arrangements. They’re excited."

"Good. Make sure they have everything they need. They’ve worked hard, and I want them to enjoy the event too."

"They’re doing well, boss. People know them now. Their music dey move, and the support from the label has helped them a lot."

Dayo smiled. "That’s what we want. They should keep working. There’s still a lot ahead of them."

Sheun agreed before moving to the next item. The meeting didn’t last unnecessarily long because most of the arrangements had already been completed. Dayo trusted the local team to handle its responsibilities, and Sheun knew what was expected of him.

By the following evening, the concert venue was ready to receive its audience.

The stage had been assembled, the lighting and sound systems had undergone their checks, and the production crew was working through the final preparations. The large screens displayed the tour branding, while the surrounding areas were being managed by security and event personnel.

The name The JD Experience World Tour appeared prominently across the venue.

Inside the backstage area, Wayne was already working with the musicians and production crew. He had arrived with the touring team and spent time reviewing the technical arrangements with the local staff. The Nigerian production team had been cooperative, and the final checks were moving according to schedule.

Dayo arrived later with Sheun and some members of his management team. Wayne met him near the backstage entrance and immediately began explaining the remaining details.

"Everything is ready," Wayne said. "We’ve checked the sound, the lighting and the transitions. There are a few things we’re still adjusting, but nothing serious."

"How are the musicians?"

"They’re ready. We’ve gone through the arrangements, and everyone knows what they’re doing. The older songs are going to need some attention because we haven’t performed some of them in a long time, but we’ve prepared them."

Dayo looked towards the stage, where members of the crew were still moving equipment into position. "Good. I want the audience to hear different parts of my career tonight. Let’s not make it feel like we’re only promoting Genesis."

"That’s already taken care of. We’ve arranged the performances so the audience gets a mixture of the old and the new. We’ll also have the invited artists coming in at their scheduled times."

Wayne went through the final details before returning to the production area. Dayo continued towards the dressing room, where Sharon and the other members of his team were waiting.

Outside, the audience was beginning to fill the venue. People had arrived from different parts of Lagos, while others had travelled from neighbouring states for the opening concert. The event had attracted considerable attention, and several entertainment platforms were covering the preparations.

Some fans had been waiting for hours. Others were still making their way through the entrance as security personnel checked tickets and directed people to their designated sections.

Backstage, the invited Nigerian artists were also arriving. Their teams coordinated with the event organisers, and the performers were guided to the areas assigned to them. The atmosphere was busy, but the arrangements were proceeding smoothly.

Wizkid’s participation attracted particular attention, especially among fans who had followed both artists for years. Asake and Omah Lay were also receiving attention, while other musicians from different generations prepared for their appearances.

JD artist arrived with their teams and were welcomed by members of JD Records’ Nigerian branch. They were familiar with the company and its events, but the scale of this particular concert was still something to appreciate. The artists had worked hard to reach their current positions, and being part of the opening night of Dayo’s international tour meant a lot to them.

Sheun greeted them and made sure they were directed to the right area. He also checked that their performance arrangements had been communicated properly.

The event eventually moved into its opening programme, and the audience settled as the first performances began. The invited musicians took their turns on stage, each bringing their own sound and giving the crowd something different to enjoy.

The reception was loud, particularly when familiar songs began playing. People sang along, recorded parts of the performances and shared clips with friends who couldn’t attend. The presence of so many Nigerian artists had already made the event a major talking point.

Backstage, Dayo watched some of the performances on the monitor. Wayne stood nearby, keeping track of the programme and communicating with the production crew.

"Everything is going well," Wayne said.

Dayo looked at the screen. "Good. Let’s keep it that way."

As the invited performances continued, the audience became increasingly eager for the main act. The stage crew began preparing for the transition, and the tour branding appeared across the large screens.

When Dayo’s introduction finally began, the noise from the audience rose almost immediately.

The lights changed, the opening production started, and Dayo walked onto the stage.

The reaction was enormous.

People stood, shouted his name and raised their hands as he approached the center of the stage. He greeted the audience, thanked them for coming and spoke briefly about how happy he was to begin the international tour in Nigeria.

He also acknowledged the invited artists and the people who had worked behind the scenes to make the event possible. The audience responded with another round of cheers before the music began.

The opening performance drew from different periods of his career. Some songs brought back memories for listeners who had followed him from his earliest releases, while others came from the albums that had introduced him to a much wider international audience.

When Genesis entered the programme, the crowd responded with particular enthusiasm. Many people sang along, and the screens displayed images connected to the album as the performance continued.

Dayo moved comfortably between the different sections of the show. The production was large, but the focus remained on the music. Wayne and the musicians handled the transitions, while the lighting and screens followed the changes in each performance.

The invited artists also received their moments with the audience. Wizkid’s appearance drew a strong response, and his participation became one of the most discussed parts of the event. Asake and Omah Lay were equally welcomed, while Frosh and Faith received support from the Nigerian fans who had followed their growth under JD Records.

The older musicians who had been invited were also given their space, and the audience appreciated the chance to see artists from different generations sharing the same event.

Luna watched from the secured family area with Jennifer. Their daughter was comfortable in her mother’s arms, occasionally reacting to the sound and the movement on the stage. Luna enjoyed seeing the audience’s response, particularly when Dayo performed some of his older songs.

For her, the night was also a reminder of how much had changed since the early days of his career. He had worked for years to reach this position, and now he was beginning a twelve-month tour with his family beside him.

The concert continued for several hours before Dayo eventually brought the performance to a close. He thanked the audience once more, appreciated the artists who had joined him and promised that the rest of the tour would bring more performances to different parts of the world.

When he left the stage, the backstage area was already busy with people congratulating the performers and checking the final reports from the production team.

Wayne met him first.

"That went well," he said, looking pleased with the result. "The audience was fully involved, and the transitions worked properly."

Dayo smiled. "The musicians did well. Everyone did."

Sheun arrived shortly afterwards, looking as excited as he had been at the airport. "Boss, Lagos show no be small thing o. People don already dey post everything online."

Dayo laughed. "I saw the crowd. They really showed up."

"Of course. Na you come home. Wetin you expect?"

They exchanged a few more words before Sheun began discussing the next arrangements. Dayo thanked him for the work he and the Nigerian team had done, then asked him to pass his appreciation to everyone involved.

Luna joined them later with Jennifer, and Dayo spent some time with his family before returning to the hotel. The concert had been successful, and the first night of The JD Experience World Tour was now behind them.

The following morning, reactions were already spreading across different platforms. Clips from the performances were circulating, fans were discussing the invited artists, and entertainment outlets were reporting on the opening concert. The event had attracted attention beyond Nigeria, with listeners in the next destinations beginning to anticipate their own dates.

Dayo had started the tour in his home country, reunited with someone who had been part of his journey for years and performed alongside several Nigerian musicians. There were still many countries ahead, along with business meetings and other responsibilities, but the first concert had given the team a strong beginning.

For now, Dayo was ready to move on to the next destination with Luna and Jennifer beside him.