Category: Artist Development Programs
Providing resources and information about programs that support the development and growth of emerging music artists.
Fuse ODG ‘Spirit of New Africa’ Sparks a Cultural Rebirth Through Sound, Soul & Storytelling
Fuse ODG returns with Spirit of New Africa not as a nostalgia act, but as a cultural architect reclaiming space and sound. The Ghanaian-British artist isn’t simply releasing an album; he’s asserting a framework. One that honors highlife’s roots, engages Afrobeats’ global pulse, and sharpens it all with the grit of hip-hop and the weight…
Reinventing Afrobeats: The Quiet Brilliance of Odeal, Gimba, and Melvitto
The year of 2024 marked another sonic explosion in Nigeria’s music scene, as new names joined the growing constellation of Afrobeat stars. Yet beyond the noise and hits, a subtler movement is unfolding—one that challenges what Afrobeats is, and more importantly, what it can become. The story of Afrobeats is one of rebellion, rhythm, and…
From Finsbury Park to the Future: How Afrobeats Reigned Supreme at Wireless Festival 2025
Wireless Festival 2025 was celebration of music— and a confirmation of cultural power.And no genre claimed that power more convincingly than Afrobeats. Held over three electrifying days at London’s Finsbury Park (July 11–13), Wireless marked its 20th anniversary with a stacked lineup and global eyes watching. But while international giants like Travis Scott, Cardi B,…
Tejiri Is the Industry’s Best-Kept Secret and the Blueprint for the Next Generation of Creatives
In our latest Custodian Conversation, we sit with a quietly brilliant mind shaping the contours of today’s most resonant sounds—Tejiri Akpoghene: Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and creative architect behind culture-shifting records like “Wait For U” by Future, Tems, and Drake. Tejiri’s story isn’t the usual linear climb—it’s textured. Woven from the rhythm of his Lagos upbringing,…
Across the Algorithm: AI’s Metamorphosis of Music in 2025
In 2025, artificial intelligence no longer shadows creativity—it’s rewriting the score. Fromcomposition to performance, AI technologies are reshaping the music industry’s landscape,raising questions about authenticity, equity, and artistic evolution. Section 1: The AI Creative Axis — Tools that Compose, Assist, and Replace AI composers like Suno, AIVA, and Lemonaide now craft chord progressions, full arrangements,and…
The Discipline of Silence: Jay-Z, Reputation & the Billionaire Blueprint
Where the modern celebrity economy thrives on overexposure, reaction cycles, and real-time rebuttals, Jay-Z has built a blueprint around intentional silence. In a hyper-digital world, silence is not absence. It’s strategy. No tweets. No think pieces. No impulse interviews. Just power moves, calculated exits, and a watchful gaze. “Sometimes the most powerful move is to…
Afrobeats in 2025: Songs Defining the Year So Far
Afrobeats is dancing in daring directions this year, fluid, fearless, and full of fire. The genre, a proud pulse of African creativity, continues to expand its orbit, and the top trending Afrobeats songs of 2025 are proof of its undeniable magnetism and evolving genius. In recent years, the culture has wrestled with internal discourse, questions…
How Oontztopia Is Shaping Kenyan Culture One Event at a Time
Oontztopia is an event collective worth emulating—not only for their genre-defining music curation, but also for their approach to building a loyal and inclusive community. Prioritizing safety, fairness, and unforgettable experiences, their events go beyond dance—they are spaces for connection. Having attended personally, I can attest to their high standards, including limited-ticket giveaways they run…
Inside the Soul of Xowié: South Africa’s Daring New Voice With a Global Rhythm
When rising South African soulstar Xowié touched down in Kenya for a string of intimate songwriting and collaboration camps and media tour, we knew we had to catch her in motion. Luckily, between studio sessions and soulful exchanges, we carved out time for an inspiring conversation that allowed us to uncover the heart of her…
Meet Florence Dei: Inside Efe Oraka ’s Reinvention and Creative Journey
Long before the spotlight found her, Efe Oraka was already quietly shaping her sound, releasing music in her teens, and crafting songs that carried an intimate kind of magic. Though many were first drawn in by her viral cover performances, her journey had long begun, rooted in a deep love for music and storytelling. Now,…