African artists going global with Music2Deal networking tool

With users in more than 50 countries, including African countries, the platform features a global directory of industry contacts, secure negotiation rooms, and access to exclusive industry events.

Ghanaian gospel singer and publishing expert Diana Hopeson, who serves as Music2Deal’s African representative, tells Music In Africa that by providing musicians with the tools and resources they need to succeed on a global scale, the portal has the potential to radically transform the continent’s music industry.

A former president of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation, Hopeson joined Music2Deal about three years ago as a member and quickly discovered the world of opportunities the platform presents, especially for African musicians.

“I got some radio stations abroad reaching out to me, requesting to put my records out there. I also realised there are not many Africans on the platform and wanted to change that,” she said.

Music2Deal is also positioned as an innovative tool that saves musicians time and money by cutting out middlemen and connecting them directly with people who can help them succeed.

The platform, Hopeson explains, also teaches musicians about protecting their intellectual property rights and ensuring that they are fairly compensated for their efforts. This has led to numerous collaborations and breakthroughs, with big-name musicians from all over the world joining the platform as ambassadors.

Today, her ambition is to make Music2Deal accessible to all Africans, noting that the portal sits at the centre of an African music explosion. “At the moment, we have users from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda, but we have more from South Africa and Nigeria. I really want to see more from different parts of the African continent, especially those in the Francophone countries.”

Africa has long been regarded as an important market for the music industry, but many of its musicians have yet to tap into their true potential in the global music conversation, especially in the area of networking, Hopeson observes.

“The world is a global village now, so if you refuse to use social media to network, then it would be like lighting your lamp and putting it under a bowl, seeing as we’re not really selling physical works like before. Networking is key. When people think of Africa, they only think about the minerals, but when it comes to our creativity, there’s a lot we can offer to the world. Hitherto, researchers would come and pick things and go, but I believe it’s time that we creative people reach out for proper collaboration whereby we can be well recognised for what we have done, and contribute to the global industry of the arts,” she says.

Hopeson believes that relying solely on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp may not be enough for music creators to secure value for their works. Music2Deal, she says, represents a focused platform where users can network with industry professionals to close deals and enter into lucrative collaborations. Moving forward, she believes that Music2Deal can be a valuable asset to an industry where the challenge of accessing and verifying industry professionals has been a hindrance to growth.