How a DJ & a Marketing Strategist are rewriting Lagos’ Party Life with DayBreeze

The recent Time Out Magazine report placing Lagos as the 14th best party city in the world might not be official in a governmental sense, but it’s far from baseless. With initiatives like Day Breeze, the city continues to push the boundaries of what a good time looks like, especially outside the often overdone and overly mainstream party circuit.

At the forefront of this shift are two individuals quietly (and consistently) reshaping the Lagos party experience: Lawal Hardcore,  through his entertainment company Percentage Club, the strategic mind behind the brand, and Crowd Kontroller, the man behind the music. Together, they’ve built Daybreeze into more than just an event. They’ve built it to become a well-curated escape for day party lovers seeking affordability, atmosphere, and actual taste.

Ahead of their Jersey Edition this August, we spoke with the duo about building community, rethinking Lagos nightlife, and why the best parties might just be the ones that end before sundown.

NoteS (question to Lawal): How did you and Crowd Kontroller meet?
Lawal: I like to believe we had known each other from a distance for a while. I’ve done several events in the past where we worked together. Sometime last year, as fate would have it, we had a conversation and realized we had a mutual passion, not just for events, but also for community. We both had a shared passion for creating a safe space for party animals. We were tired of the typical club culture, of people going to parties and not actually partying. We wanted something different. We wanted to create an avenue where people could enjoy the music they came to hear, actually party, and leave saying, “Yes, I had a great time.” That shared passion brought us together. We wanted to create an actual festival experience, not just pretentious enjoyment. That’s how we decided to work together.

NoteS (question to Lawal): That’s a good ethos and reason to create a party. But you guys are from different worlds?
Lawal: Yeah, we certainly are. I come from a marketing background. Crowd Kontroller is a king in the music space. But it was definitely the best of both worlds coming together.

NoteS (question to Crowd Kontroller): How do you both hope to redefine Nigeria’s party scene with this initiative? What’s going to be unique about it?
Crowd Kontroller: We’re two different people, but we still gel. Lawal is very marketing-driven. Me, I’d rather just play my music and chill, but Lawal drags me out of that comfort zone, so what makes our thing different is the sheer passion. Of course, we want to make money, but we moved on it because there was a gap in the market for people who want to have fun but can’t afford the clubs. I noticed the crowd in clubs kept reducing. When I asked people, they said, “Yo, I can’t afford to spend 2 million naira a night. It’s not feasible.” These are working professionals who just want to have fun and hear me play.

NoteS (to Crowd Kontroller): So Daybreeze is filling that gap, for people who want to party and not spend so much money?
Crowd Kontroller: Yes, it’s bridging that gap. The aim is for you to come with your 100k and have the time of your life. You don’t have to break the bank, and you won’t be in the trenches either. It’ll still be clean and tasteful.

NoteS: How many editions of Daybreeze have you done now?
Both: We’ve done up to eight.

NoteS: For you guys to do it more than once, that says something. But did you both instantly align on this vision?
Crowd Kontroller: I don’t think we had to negotiate. It was a no-brainer. When we spoke the first time and aligned our ideas, it just worked.
Lawal: It’s also important to note that we bring out the best in each other. I can’t create music, and he can’t do what I do. He’s brought out the best in me when it comes to creating musical experiences. Likewise, from my end too. It’s the best of both worlds.

NoteS: Doing this kind of business in Nigeria must come with challenges. What’s been the biggest growing pain?
Both: Definitely venue. That’s the biggest issue, for everybody.

NoteS: For you guys, the idea is having a rooftop party, right?
Both: It doesn’t really have to be a rooftop. The vibe is Daybreeze—seaside, water, rooftop, anything outdoors. Anywhere breeze can touch you.

NoteS: So when Crowd Kontroller handles the music, what does Lawal do?
Lawal: I’m sweating o! I’m working my ass off and sweating.
Crowd Kontroller: Lawal is doing everything. As a marketing genius, he curates the event, makes it look larger than life. He sees what I don’t see. He’s doing everything aside from the music, and sometimes even suggests music too.

NoteS: Being creative isn’t enough—you also need to know how to market your creativity.
Both: Exactly. You can have a vision, but making it happen is a whole different thing.

NoteS: What’s the biggest win for both of you so far?
Crowd Kontroller: For me, the first event. It took heaven and earth to make it happen. Pulling that off was the biggest win, and the reaction after was amazing.
Lawal: For me, it’s seeing people’s genuine reactions after every event. I scour the internet and see how people react. “I just went to the best party in the world.” That’s everything. We’ve also had major acts show up and brands reaching out, but the genuine joy on people’s faces is our biggest win.

NoteS: How do you hope to scale this, especially with Lagos recently being ranked by Time Out Magazine the 14th top party destination in the world?
Lawal: The future lies in the communities we build. Everyone is saying Afrobeats to the world, but it’s the consumers that make that happen. At Daybreeze last December, about 60–70% of the guests flew in from the US, UK, and other parts of the world. Every corner had someone with a UK or US accent. They heard about Daybreeze, saw our videos. They wanted that genuine Nigerian party experience. Daybreeze is at the forefront of Nigerian tourism in entertainment. If private sectors—hotels, airlines—partner with us, it boosts tourism and contributes to Nigeria’s GDP.
Crowd Kontroller: Lagos being ranked 14th isn’t surprising to me at all. Nigeria’s nightlife is top-notch. We have some of the best clubs, best people, best energy. People underestimate how good it is. Every single day of the week, there’s somewhere popping. Other places shut down at 2:30 a.m., not here. We go till 6 a.m., so we can always use that to scale in our favor. If you ask me, I’d even say top three globally.

NoteS: Considering your data shows that diaspora Nigerians make up 70% of attendees in December, how do you approach marketing Daybreeze to local Nigerians, especially in a country where our infrastructure doesn’t match this excellence in entertainment?
Lawal: Marketing to Nigerians isn’t the issue. Nigeria makes about 18 billion naira in tourism, which is just 4% of our GDP. People come here for the experience, not the infrastructure. If we had the infrastructure to match that experience, we’d be making ten times more, but that’s something to hope for. But essentially, Nigerians have embraced Daybreeze. It’s just that in December, the diaspora dominates with spending power and energy.

NoteS: How do you see Daybreeze influencing party culture in Nigeria over the next five years?
Crowd Kontroller: It’s moving toward curated events. People want things on demand—day parties, community-driven events. DJs will realize they don’t have to wait for brands or residencies, they can create their own. Brands will also see the value in growing with communities.
Lawal: Key things set Daybreeze apart. It’s a day party that wraps up early but still delivers a complete experience. We prioritize tourism—seaside, rooftop, city-view venues—which can inspire more investment in tourism infrastructure. We’re introducing a new generation to real music appreciation; people now go to parties and care about who is playing and how they’re playing. And finally, community—we’ve built Breezers, a core group that interacts with everything Daybreeze: our cups, fans, merch, and brand collaborations.

NoteS: With Daybreeze getting bigger, do you guys feel a responsibility to spotlight up-and-coming DJs?
Crowd Kontroller: Yes. I always scout. 80% of DJs that play at Daybreeze are not that known. They get exposure to a larger audience. We help them elevate by curating their logos and written bios. My DMs are filled with DJs from all over—I check them out and pick those who fit.
Lawal: CK just said it best. That unexpected energy is what sets us apart. A lot of branding and strategy goes into making Daybreeze what it is.

NoteS: What’s one country or city you’d love to take Daybreeze to?
Lawal: Brazil—because of their carnival and party culture.
Crowd Kontroller: St. Lucia, randomly. Or Japan, Asia—somewhere unexpected.

NoteS: Since doing this event, what’s something you’ve learned about Nigerians and partying?
Crowd Kontroller: Nigerians are easygoing. We like to have fun and good times. Nobody wants to spend so much—just give us good music, good drinks, and a good environment—we’re good.
Lawal: I remember when we started, a lot of people in events were asking how we would make money without expensive drinks and table sections. But I’ve learned Nigerians will put their hard-earned money where there is value. If you give them a good time, they’ll reward you.

NoteS: Final question—what’s next for Daybreeze?
Lawal: Short-term, our next edition is on August 3rd; a jersey-themed edition with everyone dressed in fly jerseys. It’s in partnership with Maison Fahrenheit, and proudly supported by Teeling Whiskey and Pepsi. Also from now till December, we’re doing monthly editions, and in December we’re going back-to-back every Sunday. Long-term, we’re looking to export not just Afrobeats but Afro-culture (our music, fashion, food) to the world, through DayBreeze. We’re also looking at hosting 50,000-capacity events globally.
Crowd Kontroller: We’re aligned on that. My dream is for Daybreeze to become a thing of its own, beyond Lawal and me. It should carry a spirit of its own and push culture to another level. It’s more than a party—it’s a lifestyle. We could even have perfumes, merch… expand the horizon.

Beyond the two creative minds at the forefront, DayBreeze is powered by a remarkable team of individuals who bring the vision to life behind the scenes. Bomate leads operations with precision, while Dimeji oversees seamless production. Daniel crafts the visuals that define their aesthetic, and Abebi nurtures the vibrant community. Justin handles accreditation with sharp attention to detail, and Anjola steers the social media presence with flair. Together, they form the backbone of DayBreeze; ensuring the movement not only runs smoothly, but keeps growing stronger.