News Room Reporting by Nuel Umahi
There are concerts, and then there are moments in time that stay with you long after the last note fades. Sal Ly’s Froville on March 8, 2025, was the latter.
Walking into the venue, I could feel it—this wasn’t just another live music event. The energy was raw, unfiltered, and overwhelmingly youthful—about 90% of the audience were young people, buzzing with the kind of anticipation that comes only when you know something special is about to happen. The event, which aligned with her album theme—Don’t Touch My Fro—was evident in its branding and content even before the night began.
I’ve followed Sal Ly for a while now, from her debut single, Life—a track that introduced her as a storyteller unafraid to bare her soul—to 21’s Fro, her latest album under Energize Music. Released on 20 September 2024, and with over 300,000 streams on Spotify, it took just nine days to reach #38 on the Apple Music Chart—a testament to how deeply her music resonates.
That night, it was clear why.
When the Music Became More Than Sound
The first note hit, and suddenly, the room wasn’t just a venue anymore—it felt like a sacred space. Sal Ly’s voice carried not just melody but conviction. Songs like Deliver Me had us moving, nodding, and singing along with reckless joy. But then came You’re Not There, and something shifted.
She spoke about faith, growing up in church, and church hurt—a topic most people only whisper about. She shared how, at one point, she felt disconnected from the very thing she was raised in, but how music helped her find her way back.
And then Loved by You started.
I looked around and saw it—hands clasped, eyes closed, silent prayers mouthed along with the lyrics. Some stood still, absorbing every word; others sang as if they were releasing something they had carried for too long.
I felt it too.
This wasn’t just about singing; it was about healing.
‘The Perfect Companions’
Sal Ly wasn’t alone in delivering this unforgettable night. Shime Ahua and Vblaiz brought their own magic to the stage.
Shime Ahua’s voice felt like home—a blend of tradition and gospel that wrapped around the audience, pulling us deeper into the experience.
Vblaiz brought fire, blending gospel and hip-hop in a way that had the crowd jumping one moment and reflecting the next.
Their collaborations with Sal Ly felt effortless, as if they had one shared goal—to remind us why we love music and why faith, despite everything, is worth holding onto.
The Moment That Stayed With Me
As the night drew to a close, there was a moment when the music stopped, and all that remained was the sound of voices—ours—singing in unison. No backing track, no instruments, just raw belief.
That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t just an event. This was a reminder.
A reminder that faith is personal, healing is possible, and sometimes, the best way to find your way back is through a song.
I left that night feeling lighter, grateful, and somehow more seen. Sal Ly, through her music, honesty, and presence, gave us a space to feel, question, heal, and worship in our own way.
And that’s the power of music.
That’s the power of Sal Ly.
