Maka Live: London headliner rooted in soul, story, solidarity

On the 27th of June at Piano Smithfield London, Maka took the stage not just as a singer, but as a storyteller, collaborator, and undeniable force in the genre-fluid terrain of soul, jazz, and hip-hop. Titled “Maka Live”, the sold-out show marked her first headline performance in London, and it arrived not with fanfare, but with a quiet confidence and commanding presence that had clearly been years in the making.

The Nigerian-born artist, known for weaving vulnerability and defiance into her sound, opened the night with “Screw You”, a bold, stripped-back anthem that set the tone for what followed — a night of reflection, rebellion, and release.

From there, the stage became a home for creative communion. Ukrainian composer Bohdan Reshetilov stunned with emotionally raw piano compositions. Nigerian spoken word artist Oloyede Tom aka Philosophy brought poetry that turned silence into weight. Cuban-Lebanese guitarist, singer-songwriter Ele added smoky vocals and levity, including a cheeky duet with Maka on “Nigerian in London”, a playful spin on Sting’s “Englishman in New York.”

But it was with the full band — guitarist Rew Elkington, bassist Max Jolin, drummer Project Timmy, and Bohdan Reshetilov on keys — that Maka truly soared. The setlist was deeply personal yet widely resonant: the celebratory “Good Time”, the unreleased but bitingly clever “You’re Not Special”, the soul-stirring “Jidenu M”, and the deeply moving “Daddy’s Letter”, a tribute to her late father that left the room hushed.

A highlight came with the first-ever live performance of “No One”, her 2016 collaboration with rapper Phlow, a moment that bridged past and future as the duo teased a new joint project in the works.

Closing the night with “Flood” and crowd favorite “F.U.N”, Maka’s vocal control and emotional range confirmed what those in the room already knew: this wasn’t a debut, it was a declaration.

In an industry often chasing virality, Maka is playing the long game — one rooted in craft, clarity, and community. Maka Live was more than a concert; it was a moment of arrival for an artist who has long known where she’s going.