Category: Artist Development Programs
Providing resources and information about programs that support the development and growth of emerging music artists.
Homecoming Festival 2025 —Lagos’ Premier Cultural Convergence
A fortnight ago, Lagos transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity as the Homecoming Festival 2025 unfolded. An annual event, founded by Grace Ladoja MBE, has now become a cornerstone in celebrating African culture, bringing together music, fashion, art, and community in a dynamic showcase. Hosted across several landmark venues in Lagos, Homecoming 2025 united…
Apple Music Launches ‘The Sounds of Africa’ to Spotlight Five Music Capitals Across the Continent
Apple Music has unveiled its 2025 Africa Month campaign, “The Sounds of Africa” , a vibrant initiative spotlighting five of the continent’s most influential music capitals: Accra, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg. This campaign features exclusive playlists curated by top artists, industry executives, tastemakers, and media personalities, each capturing the unique sonic essence…
Raging on a Sunday: Rock Riot – Easter Edition
As I write this, I’m still speechless—literally. I lost my voice singing my heart out at Rock Riot, a fast-rising yet still niche all-things-rock event held at 254 Beer District this past Easter Sunday. The music? Insane. The sound? On point. The crowd? Nothing short of electric. Not even the downpour outside could interrupt what…
Banké Is Harmonizing Hope, Heart & a New Era as NAYA Approaches
In this special edition of Custodian Conversations, we’re honored to journey through the blossoming path of Shalom Oluwabanke Adetumbi, known to many simply as Banké, a woman whose voice carries both the tenderness of a lullaby and the fire of a rising phoenix. From the vibrant streets of Lagos to the glittering stages of the…
Sebuleni: Nairobi’s Living Room of Sound Returns for a New Season
As Sebuleni Collective launches a new season, Nairobi’s creative culture community prepares to gather once again in their favorite “living room” — an underground, intimate soiree where music, art, and culture connect. On a cool Friday evening in Nairobi’s Westlands, a gentle thump of bass beckons from behind the doors of 33 Woodvale Grove. Inside,…
Kelvin Momo Takes Center Stage at Red Bull Symphonic 2025 with Adam Howard & Egoli Orchestra
Red Bull Symphonic is back, and it’s making major noise. Set to take over The Teatro, Montecasino on June 6th and 7th, the 2025 edition brings a genre-defying twist to Johannesburg’s cultural calendar, with Amapiano maestro Kelvin Momo taking the lead. This year, world-renowned composer Adam Howard and the illustrious Egoli Symphonic Orchestra will join the soulful architect of…
Davido ’s 5IVE: A New Era for the Afrobeats Icon?
Davido ’s fifth studio album is almost here—expect star-studded features, sound evolution, and a legacy-defining Afrobeats experience.. After setting global charts ablaze with Timeless, which delivered bangers like Unavailable and Feel, the expectations for what’s next are sky-high. Here’s what we’re expecting from the next chapter in Davido´s discography. The Heartbreak Anthem “At least one…
Descendants Gave Nairobi a Night to Sweat About
On the 5th of April 2025, Descendants Records finally made their Nairobi debut. They baptized the city with bass… and truthfully, it was one for the books. Let’s get into it. The night was a full-on celebration of Afro Electronic music, specifically Afro House, Afro Tech, 3 Step, and Gqom. Sitting at the intersection of…
KOMCA: South Korea’s Music Copyright Body Bans AI-Created Songs from Registration
In a world increasingly powered by machine learning and AI, artificial intelligence, South Korea’s Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) has issued a landmark directive that is already rippling through the global music industry. Effective March 24, 2025, KOMCA now mandates that all artists and songwriters must explicitly declare whether any form of AI was involved…
Easter Holiday Events 2025 in Nairobi and Lagos: Music, Culture, and Community
Easter holiday events in 2025 are lighting up the cities of Nairobi and Lagos with an exciting mix of music, art, and community spirit. From electrifying DJ sets and beachside raves to intimate acoustic sessions and cultural festivals, these events promise unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re spending the Easter break dancing…