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CANEX WKND 2026 to kick off in Lagos on 5 Nov with an expanded creative industry programme

CANEX WKND 2026 to kick off in Lagos on 5 Nov with an expanded creative industry programme

KAMP elects new seven-member board after three-year term under Angela Ndambuki

KAMP elects new seven-member board after three-year term under Angela Ndambuki

Ghana: Mr Eazi and MOLIY’s ‘Comfort’ earns Urban Music Awards nomination

Ghana: Mr Eazi and MOLIY’s ‘Comfort’ earns Urban Music Awards nomination

Nigeria: CANEX WKND unveils 2026 programme

Nigeria: CANEX WKND unveils 2026 programme

Lance Stehr brings decades of South African music to ‘Spinners’ Season 2 soundtrack

Lance Stehr brings decades of South African music to ‘Spinners’ Season 2 soundtrack

ACCES unveils stellar programme for 2026 edition

ACCES unveils stellar programme for 2026 edition

R&B collective Both Worlds targets SA market

R&B collective Both Worlds targets SA market

SA: Lelow B explores commitment, loyalty on new single ‘Imizwa’

SA: Lelow B explores commitment, loyalty on new single ‘Imizwa’

Beat FM marks 17th anniversary with industry brunch in Lagos

Beat FM marks 17th anniversary with industry brunch in Lagos

Music Business Awards Africa to honour industry professionals in November

Music Business Awards Africa to honour industry professionals in November

SA: MPASA to host webinar on mental health in the music industry

SA: MPASA to host webinar on mental health in the music industry

Deezer to let users filter out fully AI-generated music

Deezer to let users filter out fully AI-generated music

NEFCISA
NEFCISA

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) is proud of its partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as a Strategic Implementing Partner (SIP) for its Social Employment Fund (SEF). Through this collaboration, MIAF is running a national programme that is creating jobs, addressing skills gaps, and strengthening South Africa's creative industries — in line with the SEF's overarching goal to generate work for the common good and build community value through employment, social contribution, and inclusive economic participation. Operating under the banner NEFCISA (National Employment Facility for Creative Industries in South Africa), the initiative is recruiting and training participants, matching them with host organisations, and has already placed 1 500 workers across the country — surpassing its original target of 1 000. NEFCISA is delivered through a network of 20 host organisations spanning five provinces, who are actively hosting participants and contributing to work for the common good across South Africa's creative and cultural industries. Key Objectives: Support employment and entrepreneurship in the creative industries. Offer skills development and training programmes. Foster partnerships between public and private creative sectors. Promote South African creativity at both provincial and national levels Foster community development through social contribution.

ACCES
ACCES

ACCES Conference and Showcase Festival is Africa's leading music industry gathering, bringing together the people shaping the future of the continent's music business. Artists, entrepreneurs, executives, investors, policymakers and cultural leaders from across Africa and around the world come to ACCES to build partnerships, exchange ideas, discover talent and create new business opportunities. Since its launch in 2017, ACCES has become the continent's premier platform for professional exchange and music market development. Combining a high-level conference with a curated showcase festival, networking, exhibitions and industry programmes, ACCES offers a unique space where creativity meets business and where African music connects with the global industry.

Gender@Work
Gender@Work

Music In Africa Gender @ Work is a three-year training programme aimed at upskilling and increasing the participation of female professionals in the African music sector. Launched by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) in April 2019, the programme is connected to the MIAF’s ACCES music conference – a pan-African event held in a different African country every year. This connection enables the programme to reach new participants in a different African country every year. The programme marks the beginning of a more concerted effort by the Foundation to support the participation and inclusion of women in all facets of its programmes and the music sector in Africa as a whole. Over the three years, the programme will aim to address gender imbalances in the sector through training, lobbying, facilitating knowledge exchange and dialogues that foster the interest of women. The broader objectives of the programme are to: Provide industry training for women on critical music industry skills, focusing on: Stage management Electronic music production and recording Music business management Technical knowledge Provide an opportunity for both professional and aspiring women to benefit from the Music In Africa network and its broad range of activities in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Provide a solution-based platform in the form of a round table at ACCES with a view to identify challenges, discuss opportunities and lobby for the interests of female practitioners. Offer participants the opportunity to benefit from programmes offered by MIAF’s partners. Increase access to educational materials. Integrate participants in the broader ACCES programme to maximise experience and exposure to the industry. Record and present training materials on the www.musicinafrica.net, including but not limited to tutorials, templates and other best-practice materials. Communicate women-based themes that support the initiatives and messages of the programme. MAIN TRAINING ACTIVITIES Training in first country (Ghana): In the first year, participants will be trained on all aspects of stage management by a team of experienced stage managers from 10 to 17 November 2019. The programme will offer robust classroom training as well as practical, hands-on training in which participants will also be given the opportunity to manage various aspects of the ACCES performance programme. Training in second country: The second training iteration will take place at ACCES 2020 when the programme will diversify its course to include music production lessons and training on other music business topics. A round-table platform will also be introduced to coincide with the ACCES programme. Training in third country: The third training iteration will take place at ACCES 2021 in a different country, offering an advanced course. HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?  As a participant, facilitator or trainer: The programme enrolls up to 12 trainees every year. All opportunities are advertised publicly on this website, and will be added to this page. Please keep checking this page for new calls (below under UPDATES & CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES). As a partner Please contact Claire Metais at [email protected]. APPLY The call for applications for 2020 will be announced soon. The Music In Africa Gender @ Work programme is made possible with the support of the Prince Claus Fund, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Sound Connects Fund
Sound Connects Fund

For cultural and creative practitioners and organisations operating in southern Africa, access to funding remains a major challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a massive impact on government policy, spending and the economy in general, and has seen spending on culture being moved further down the list of priorities. Further, the cultural and creative industries repeatedly cite four main areas where investment is needed for growth, which are increased visibility, mobility including access to new markets, finance and support structures.

Instrument Building And Repair Project
Instrument Building And Repair Project

Experience the Vibrations African Instruments Exhibition online in 3D

Music In Africa
Home / Artists & Industry / Cruel Santino
Cruel Santino

Cruel Santino

Composers, arrangers & songwriters, Producers
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Profile added by Bracha Motlhahledi on 07 Jan 2026

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Nigeria

In operation since:

2019

Contact person:

Cruel Santino

BIO

Cruel Santino, formerly known as Santi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Nigeria’s alternative (alté) music movement. Born Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu in Lagos, he developed a distinct artistic identity that blends alternative R&B, Afro-fusion, hip hop, and electronic influences. His music is marked by experimental production, moody atmospheres, and introspective storytelling, setting him apart from mainstream Afrobeats.

He first gained major attention with his debut project Mandy & The Jungle (2019), which became a defining release for the alté scene and introduced audiences to his cinematic sound and unconventional approach to African pop music. The project featured standout tracks such as “Sparky” and “Freaky,” earning critical acclaim and positioning Cruel Santino as a global-facing artist. He later followed up with Subaru Boys: Final Heaven (2022), further expanding his sonic palette and narrative depth.

Beyond music, Cruel Santino is also known for his influence in fashion, visual art, and youth culture. As the founder of the Subaru Boys collective, he has cultivated a strong creative community that extends beyond sound into lifestyle and aesthetics. With his boundary-pushing artistry, bold visuals, and commitment to authenticity, Cruel Santino continues to shape the future of African alternative music and culture on an international scale.

Photos

Cruel Santino
Cruel Santino
Cruel Santino
Cruel Santino

Music

Coming soon

Videos

Cruel Santino - Big Drop (feat. Zaylevelten) [Official Video]

Cruel Santino - Big Drop (feat. Zaylevelten) [Official Video]

October 16, 2026
CRUEL SANTINO, ZAYLEVELTEN - BIG DROP (OFFICIAL AUDIO)

CRUEL SANTINO, ZAYLEVELTEN - BIG DROP (OFFICIAL AUDIO)

October 15, 2026
CRUEL SANTINO - INTERNATIONAL COLLECTOR (Official Music Video)

CRUEL SANTINO - INTERNATIONAL COLLECTOR (Official Music Video)

August 7, 2026
SUBARU LIVE RADIO - EPISODE 2 - VISUAL GEMS AND INSIDE GAMING - PART ONE

SUBARU LIVE RADIO - EPISODE 2 - VISUAL GEMS AND INSIDE GAMING - PART ONE

March 4, 2026
SUBARU IRL STREAM - HOMECOMING !

SUBARU IRL STREAM - HOMECOMING !

April 30, 2025
SUBARU IRL STREAM- WE CRASHED THREE PARTIES IN ONE NIGHT !!!!!!!

SUBARU IRL STREAM- WE CRASHED THREE PARTIES IN ONE NIGHT !!!!!!!

April 30, 2025
SUBARU LIVE STREAM - (UNDERGROUND ALL STARS SESSION)

SUBARU LIVE STREAM - (UNDERGROUND ALL STARS SESSION)

April 9, 2025
SUBARU LIVE STREAM - ODUMODUBLVCK ( LATE NIGHT MAGIC STREAM) - THE MACHINE IS COMING !!!

SUBARU LIVE STREAM - ODUMODUBLVCK ( LATE NIGHT MAGIC STREAM) - THE MACHINE IS COMING !!!

April 1, 2025
SUBARU LIVE STREAM - DAVIDO ( SUBARU X 30 BG) - 5IVE THE ALBUM, GROWTH, OBO DA GENESIS

SUBARU LIVE STREAM - DAVIDO ( SUBARU X 30 BG) - 5IVE THE ALBUM, GROWTH, OBO DA GENESIS

March 27, 2025
SUBARU LIVE STREAM - (HIGHLIGHTS ) - ZERYY DL, D-0, DEELA ,TRENCHBOY, SYD, TENI, JERIQ + MORE

SUBARU LIVE STREAM - (HIGHLIGHTS ) - ZERYY DL, D-0, DEELA ,TRENCHBOY, SYD, TENI, JERIQ + MORE

March 19, 2025
SUBARU LIVE STREAM - SLAWN, ODUNSI, SOLDIER, LIZ , TRILL MIKE DD AND MORE (CONSTIPATION & WHAT NOT)

SUBARU LIVE STREAM - SLAWN, ODUNSI, SOLDIER, LIZ , TRILL MIKE DD AND MORE (CONSTIPATION & WHAT NOT)

March 4, 2025
SUBARU LIVE RADIO - SHAKE ME (Official Video) feat Navy and Cruel Santino

SUBARU LIVE RADIO - SHAKE ME (Official Video) feat Navy and Cruel Santino

February 25, 2025
SUBARU LIVE RADIO - Gates of Heaven (Offical Video) feat Cruel Santino , Ravington & T6LU

SUBARU LIVE RADIO - Gates of Heaven (Offical Video) feat Cruel Santino , Ravington & T6LU

February 25, 2025
Cruel Santino & Victor Reagan - Top Striker (Official Audio)

Cruel Santino & Victor Reagan - Top Striker (Official Audio)

February 7, 2025
Cruel Santino - 4EVER (Official Video) feat LEN

Cruel Santino - 4EVER (Official Video) feat LEN

December 18, 2023

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