Category: Artist Development Programs
Providing resources and information about programs that support the development and growth of emerging music artists.
The 18th Headies Nominations Are Here: FOLA, Asake, Davido, Ayra Starr and a New Generation Define the 2026 Race
The Headies has officially unveiled the nominations for its 18th edition, setting the stage for another expansive assessment of Nigerian music’s changing centre of gravity – and this year’s list finds established heavyweights increasingly sharing space with a generation whose ascent has unfolded at remarkable speed. Covering eligible music released and distributed on digital streaming…
Victony Is 2FRESH as STARLIFE Leads This Week’s Afrobeats Heat Different
Afrobeats Heat Different returns with Victony at the centre of a 15-track New Music Friday edition that moves through Lagos street rap, contemporary Afropop, Afro-house, alternative experimentation and Francophone Africa. There is something particularly satisfying about watching an artist reach the point where experimentation no longer feels like risk. For Victony, STARLIFE appears to be…
From Lagos to Nairobi: Cinq Music’s Soul HQ Partnership Signals a Deeper Bet on African Music Infrastructure
Cinq Music Group is expanding its footprint in African music through a new distribution and artist-services partnership with Nairobi-based Soul HQ, bringing Xenia Manasseh, AYLØ and Altair Saïd into a global infrastructure designed to connect locally developed African talent with international audiences. Barely a month after announcing a partnership with D’Banj’s C.R.E.A.M platform in Nigeria,…
Angélique Kidjo ’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Marks A New Milestone for African Music
Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo has become the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, adding one of the entertainment industry’s most recognisable honours to a career spanning more than four decades.The five-time Grammy winner’s Hollywood recognition marks a landmark moment for African music while reflecting more than…
Sebuleni Returns to Shelter on August 30 for a Special Edition Celebrating Community, Deep House, and the Culture of Listening
Nairobi, Kenya – August 2026 — Sebuleni, Nairobi’s independent listening house dedicated to Deep House culture and intentional community gathering, returns to Shelter KE on Sunday, 30 August 2026, for a special edition that brings together music lovers, selectors, and cultural enthusiasts for twelve hours of carefully curated sound. Rooted in Deep House as its…
What Livespot360 Reveals About Africa’s Creative Economy
Over the past few years, Nigeria’s creative economy has entered a new phase of maturity. Large-scale festivals, international partnerships, creative technology initiatives, and cross-sector collaborations have become increasingly visible, suggesting that the conversation is gradually shifting beyond cultural output towards the infrastructure that supports it. Yet visibility alone does not equal institutional progress. As the…
Bakisimbatronics: How Traditional Buganda Rhythms Became Uganda’s New Electronic Sound
Across Africa, artists are increasingly turning to indigenous musical traditions to create entirely new contemporary sounds. In Uganda, that journey has given rise to Bakisimbatronics – a genre pioneered by Maganda Shakul that fuses the rhythmic foundations of Bakisimba with electronic music. In this feature, Furaha Ruguru explores the origins of the movement, the community…
Somi on African Women in Jazz, Grammy Nomination and Spotify’s EQUAL August Cover
Somi became the first African woman nominated in a Grammy jazz category when her live album Holy Room – Live at Alte Oper received a Best Jazz Vocal Album nomination in 2021. She also became the first Rwandan /Ugandan to receive a Grammy nomination. Now, Spotify has named Somi its EQUAL Africa Artist for August…
Ahead of BANGER BOY, CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ Continues to Stand as One of African Music’s Greatest Streaming Success Stories
As CKay prepares to usher in a new chapter with his forthcoming album BANGER BOY, one of the defining records of his career is once again in the spotlight. Producer Tempoe recently shared images of a commemorative Spotify plaque recognizing “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)” for surpassing one billion streams on the platform – a…
INDVSTRY Exchange Launches Artist Accelerator in Nairobi to Connect East African Talent With Global Music Infrastructure
Nairobi continues to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s emerging creative capitals following the launch of the INDVSTRY Exchange Artist Accelerator, a new initiative designed to equip East African artists with the knowledge, networks and professional infrastructure needed to build sustainable international careers. The accelerator brings together music executives, creative entrepreneurs and industry professionals…