July 27, 2026 by Samuel Oamen | Senior Reporter
Afrochestra is Nigeria’s next global music export – Clintonic Strings
Clintonic Strings, the creative force behind Afrochestra, a fusion of Afrobeats and orchestral music, has expressed confidence that the performance concept is on course to become Nigeria’s next global music export.
The musician and creative director, whose real name is Clinton Akinkuolie, said Afrochestra was conceived not simply as another live music show but as a distinctly African performance format capable of earning international recognition while creating new opportunities for orchestral musicians across the continent.
“The dream is for Afrochestra to become a globally recognised live music format that originates from Nigeria,” he said. “Just as people around the world recognise Broadway in America or the Proms in the UK, I want Afrochestra to become a signature African live music experience.
“We’re already receiving interest from outside Nigeria, which tells us the concept has international appeal. I see Afrochestra touring major cities across Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East, collaborating with world-class orchestras and some of the biggest Afrobeats stars.
“Beyond performances, I want Afrochestra to become a platform that creates opportunities for orchestral musicians, composers, arrangers and young instrumentalists who rarely get the spotlight in today’s music industry.”
According to Clintonic, the idea for Afrochestra was born long before audiences began embracing the fusion of Afrobeats and orchestral music on concert stages.
He described Afrochestra as a musical movement that blends African rhythms with orchestral arrangements, transforming familiar Afrobeats songs into immersive live experiences while reconnecting generations through music. Over time, fans have referred to the concept by different names, including Afrochestra Rave, Afrochestra Experience, Afro-Symphonic Fusion, Orchestral Afrobeats, Symphonic Afro-pop, Afro-Orchestral Showcase and Afrobeats Symphony.
While many music lovers are familiar with Ace Orchestra, the premium live band behind several high-profile performances and collaborations, Clintonic explained that the band and Afrochestra serve different purposes.
“Ace Orchestra is the band,” he said. “We’re the live musicians, the producers and the team that has been performing and creating for years. People know us for high-quality orchestral covers, events and collaborations with artistes.
“Afrochestra is the sound and the movement we created. It’s a fusion of Afrobeats and orchestra. The name itself says it all—African rhythm meets orchestral arrangement.”
He revealed that the concept was developed in 2024 before its official launch on February 9, 2025, following months of experimenting with the idea through live concerts.
“Ace Orchestra plays Afrochestra music,” he explained. “Ace is the vehicle. Afrochestra is the destination.”
Beyond creating a new sound, Clintonic said Afrochestra was designed to bridge the widening gap between generations of music lovers.
“Younger audiences grew up on Afrobeats, while middle-aged audiences grew up on live bands, Highlife and orchestras. The ecosystem was gradually separating them.
“Afrochestra was built for both generations. We fuse nostalgia with the present. We take songs and even classical pieces that people already love and transform them into premium, emotional experiences that everyone can enjoy together.”
Bringing the vision to life, however, has come with significant challenges.
According to him, producing orchestral performances requires substantial investment in rehearsals, venues, logistics and production.
“We didn’t force orchestra into Afrobeats or Afrobeats into orchestra. We found the emotion they both share and built Afrochestra around that.
“Because orchestra projects are expensive to run, we tested the concept through concerts before officially launching it.”
One of the biggest validations of the concept, he noted, came through a recent collaboration with celebrated disc jockey DJ Consequence, which offered audiences a glimpse of the Afrochestra experience.
“This collaboration is one of the best demonstrations of the potential of Afrochestra,” he said. “The audience reaction has been mind-blowing. People can’t wait to experience it live again.”
Asked to define Afrochestra, Clintonic described it as more than a musical arrangement.
“Afrochestra is where the heartbeat of Africa meets the grandeur of orchestral music. It’s not just about adding violins to Afrobeats; it’s about reimagining familiar songs into timeless musical experiences.
“We want people to hear songs they’ve known for years and feel like they’re discovering them for the first time. Whether you’re 18 or 60, Afrochestra creates a shared emotional experience that reminds you music has no age, no borders and no limitations.”
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