Ugandan artist booking app expands service to Rwanda

Afrogroov founder Eric Kirenga told Music In Africa that the platform seeks to enable bookers and promoters to gain access to performing artists in Rwanda.

“Afrogroov has been in discussions with Fezah and I am glad that we can now test the service in Rwanda,” he said. “Agencies, brands and promoters from Kenya and Uganda can now book renowned artists. The service also offers logistical support and artist liaison, which should make the booking process as easy and effortless as possible.”

Kirenga said Fezah and Afrogroov are in the hoped to professionalise the entertainment business by providing a framework that would benefit both artists and bookers.

“We plan to be like the Uber for booking agents by providing them with an option to compare performance fees for various artists. So as much as we need to penetrate the market, our priority is to make sure that the musicians and promoters are the biggest benefactors of this platform.

"We would like to protect both of them from fraud. We will ensure that once an artist is paid, they perform. We will also make sure that the promoter pays the artist before or after the performance depending on the agreement,” he said.

As part of the app's testing phase, Afrogroov will select 12 artists in the jazz, soul and funk genres to perform in Uganda and Kenya by mid July.

Fezah director of internationalisation and mentorship programmes Anna van Brakel said the company had 300 registered artists since it was launched in May 2015.

“We are now the official booking app for Bayimba International Festival, DOADOA, and the Jazz and Soul Safari,” she said. “We have executed regional tours for artists, launched radio shows and built stages of our own to provide more opportunities to growing African talent. Most importantly, we have invested in data.”

Those eligible to join Fezah must be able to perform original material, must have recorded at least one album and should have a well-packaged electronic press kit (EPK).

“Applicants will go through a strict process of validation, which will conclude with the signing of a contract,” Kirenga said. “We wish to provide an opportunity to well-established artists from Rwandan to get booked for gigs and gain recognition within the region and beyond.

“Once the platform is a success in Rwanda, we will hopefully move to Tanzania. We are seeing the platform grow from strength to strength and look forward to having clients from across the continent.”