Category: Artist Development Programs
Providing resources and information about programs that support the development and growth of emerging music artists.
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…
Children of Blood and Bone: How African Music Became the Heartbeat of Hollywood’s Biggest Fantasy Epic
When the first trailer for Children of Blood and Bone arrived, audiences were immediately drawn into the breathtaking adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel. Beyond its striking visuals and star-studded cast, however, another story has quietly emerged – one that speaks to the growing influence of African creatives across global cinema. More than simply…
Hmusic Unveils the Grounded Universe with New Single, Music App and New Jersey Ghana Music Festival Celebration
Nigerian/Ghanaian executive producer, songwriter and entrepreneur Hmusic (Harrison Ekeoma Osondu Iheke) is preparing to unveil his most ambitious creative vision to date with the launch of the Grounded Universe – a multi-dimensional ecosystem bringing together music, technology, culture and community. Scheduled to launch this September, the Grounded Universe introduces three interconnected initiatives: “Grounded,” a new…
Entertainment Week Africa Returns to Shape Africa’s Music Economy
With Entertainment Week Africa , as African music continues to command global attention, the conversation is gradually shifting beyond cultural influence to a more pressing question: how does the continent build sustainable commercial infrastructure around its creative success? That question sits at the heart of Entertainment Week Africa (EWA) 2026, which returns to Lagos from…
Recording Academy Welcomes Historic New Member Class as Global Music Community Continues to Expand
The Recording Academy has extended invitations to more than 4,000 music creators and industry professionals to join its 2026 New Member Class, marking the largest membership invitation class in the organization’s history. The milestone reflects the Academy’s continued efforts to broaden its global community while strengthening the diversity of voices that contribute to its mission…
Spotify Wants Nairobi to Experience Music Beyond the Algorithm
Spotify Greasy Tunes arrives in Kenya as a 12-day cultural programme celebrating the communities, conversations and creativity shaping one of Africa’s youngest music cities. By Music Custodian For years, streaming has changed the way we discover music. Playlists have become modern mixtapes, algorithms have introduced us to artists we’d never have found otherwise, and a…