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Listen: Spirit of Lagos

POSTED: 31 October 2024

Rewind to 1970s Nigeria with this playlist compiled by Lagos Studio Archives to accompany their exhibition at Autograph 🎶






To accompany the exhibition Abi Morocco Photos: Spirit of Lagos, curators Karl Ohiri and Riikka Kassinen of Lagos Studio Archives have compiled the above playlist of tracks. The exhibition captures the rich style and joyous spirit of Lagos in the 1970s and tells the story of Abi Morocco Photos, one of the most vibrant photographic studios operating in Lagos from the 1970s to 2006.

Abi Morocco Photos was operated by husband-and-wife duo John Abe and Funmilayo Abe. The playlist includes a track by Queen Oladunni Decency, whose image features in the exhibition and tracks by Dele Ojo, one of John Abe’s favourite musicians. The exhibition is free to visit at Autograph until 22 March 2025.


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‘Queen Oladunni Decency’ performing at a naming ceremony at Chief Odunlami House, Anthony Village, Lagos, c.1970s

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Abiodun Street, Shogunle, Lagos, 1979

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Musician, Aina Street, Shogunle, Lagos, c.1970s

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Shogunle, Lagos, 1979

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Abi Morocco Photos: Spirit of Lagos

31 Oct 2024 - 22 Mar 2025
Free exhibition

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Images on page: All courtesy Lagos Studio Archives and © Abi Morocco Photos. 1) Abi Morocco Photos, ‘Queen Oladunni Decency’ performing at a naming ceremony at Chief Odunlami House, Anthony Village, Lagos, c.1970s. 2) Abi Morocco Photos, Abiodun Street, Shogunle, Lagos, 1979. 3) Abi Morocco Photos, Musician, Aina Street, Shogunle, Lagos, c.1970s. 4) Abi Morocco Photos, Shogunle, Lagos, 1979.

Exhibition image: Abi Morocco Photos, Aina Street, Shogunle, Lagos [detail], 1979. Courtesy Lagos Studio Archives. © Abi Morocco Photos.