Category: Artist Development Programs
Providing resources and information about programs that support the development and growth of emerging music artists.
Lira ’s Return: Music, Neurological Recovery, and the Reconstitution of Artistic Identity
Lira’s return following her 2022 stroke offers a deeper lens into music as therapy, the reconstruction of voice, and the question of sustainability within African music. The trajectory of an artist’s career is often evaluated through continuity. – measured by sustained output, public visibility, and uninterrupted engagement with audiences. Within this framework, interruption is frequently…
On “RNB,” Bridget Blue Lets the Audience Complete the Story
A week before the release of RNB, Bridget Blue walked into KODA Nairobi with a blank board – her album cover, unsigned, unmarked, and unfinished. By the end of the night, it was filled. Every person in the room had left something behind: a name, a message, a trace of presence. That version became the…
Building the Room: How ONErpm Is Creating Space for Women in African Music
In an industry often defined by access, visibility, and power dynamics, the most radical act is sometimes the simplest: like Onerpm is – creating a room and being intentional about who it is built for. Less than a fortnight ago in Nairobi, ONErpm quietly convened over 30 women across the Kenyan music ecosystem for an…
Pan-African Music Collaborations You Should Know
Across timelines and social feeds, Africans love a good debate. From jollof wars to the perennial question of who does it better – Lagos, South Africa, Tanzania, or Nairobi – culture has always been a source of pride, and at times, playful division. Food, fashion, language, and even nation-building narratives have shaped how we see…
Afrobeats Built a Movement, Now It Needs Institutions
Over the past two decades, African music – particularly Afrobeats – has transformed from a regional sound into one of the most powerful cultural exports in the world. From Lagos to London, Accra to Atlanta, and Nairobi to New York, the rhythms, language, and energy of African artists now move through global charts, festival stages,…
Njerae Invites Us Closer With New Single “Ingia Ndani”
Kenyan singer-songwriter Njerae is ushering in a new chapter of her musical journey with the upcoming release of her latest single, “Ingia Ndani,” – a track that arrived on March 13, 2026. The emotionally layered record sees the award-winning Afro-Indie artist leaning further into the soulful and intimate sound that has defined her rise within…
Lovers Rock Returns to Nairobi For A Celebration of Soul
Nairobi’s live music landscape continues to evolve with a growing appetite for intimate, genre-fluid experiences, and few events have captured that spirit quite like Lovers Rock, organised and convened by Nairobi RnB. On March 22, the beloved R&B and reggae-rooted showcase returns for its second edition, Lovers Rock II at The Alchemist Bar, bringing together…
Tolibian Breaks Down How Viral Moments Shape Culture and Music
As the new year unfolds, Music Custodian opens its 2026 Custodian Conversations series with Tolibian, an artist whose journey reflects the evolving intersection of culture, humor, and music in Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. Shortly after the buzzing release of the remix of his single “Ramadan” featuring legendary gospel musician Yinka Ayefele, we connected with Tolibian for…
Sony Music West Africa Announces “Bloom & Bloom 2026” Women’s Month Summit in Lagos
Sony Music West Africa has unveiled Bloom & Bloom 2026, its flagship Women’s Month initiative created to commemorate International Women’s Day while spotlighting the women shaping Africa’s creative and business landscape. Now in its latest edition, Bloom & Bloom continues to evolve beyond a commemorative gathering into a purposeful cultural convening designed to bridge influence,…
Entertainment Week Africa Curates Creative Connect Amid 2026 Grammys Weekend Buzz
Entertainment Week Africa hosted Creative Connect, an exclusive and intimate gathering during Grammys Weekend designed to convene senior decision-makers and Africa’s leading creative innovators. The high-level event created a strategic platform for global industry leaders and African creative executives to foster collaboration, strengthen cross-continental partnerships, and accelerate the growth of Africa’s $50 billion+ creative economy….