Open call: AfroFuture Rising Star Challenge in Ghana

The annual contest aims to uncover and nurture emerging talent throughout the continent. It includes a social media submission contest, educational initiatives, an exclusive playlist and the chance to showcase live at the AfroFuture on 28 and 29 December. Last year, the competition was won by Afro-soul singer Bleau.

This year, Nigerian artist Davido, Ghana’s Black Sherif and British-Gambian rapper J Hus have been confirmed as headliners for the festival, which is expected to draw more than 30 000 patrons.

Eligibility

To be eligible, artists must:

• Be active on Instagram and follow AfroFuture & @guideradio915.
• Have an Audiomack profile.

How to apply

Interested musicians must:

• Complete an online form here.
• Create an Audiomack profile.
• Upload an original song to Audiomack.
• Create a 60-second video for the Rising Star Challenge.

Note: The video should include

• A personal introduction
• Why people should listen to them.
• A description of their genre of music and approach to songwriting.
• A description of their music-making process.
• A snippet of their music.

The video should be posted on Instagram and X, tagging @AfroFuture and @Guideradio915 using the hashtag #afrofuturerisingstar.

Prizes

The winner of the Rising Star Challenge will win a cash grand prize, a studio session with an acclaimed producer, and more.

Meanwhile, applications are also ongoing for the second annual AfroFuture Rising DJ & Producer Challenge for emerging DJs and beatmakers. The competition aims to enhance the visibility of independent music producers and DJs across Africa.

The deadline for submissions is 22 November.

“AfroFuture has always been more than just a festival, it’s a full-circle celebration of everything African: our culture, our people, our talents, and serves as a platform for us to appreciate and acknowledge the larger contributions we make in the world,” AfroFuture co-founder and CEO Abdul Karim Abdullah said.“This December, we’re back bigger, better, and stronger and we can’t wait to give our global supporters an unforgettable experience by beautifully blending the worlds of food, art, fashion and music.”