AKA, Bez to showcase at Midem

African artists who will showcase at the music market, which is now in its 51st edition, are South Africa's AKA, T$EGO and Big Star as well as Nigerian singer Bez. Adding to the list of performers are French musicians Agar Agar, Haute and Hyphen Hyphen as well as Client Liason (Australia), Damian Lynn (Switzerland), Dylan Williams (UK) and La Dame Blanche (Cuba).

Midem said the artists would benefit from a tailored programme during the trade show, including coaching sessions and unique networking opportunities.

Midem is calling on fans to vote for the artist who will perform at the Opening Night Party. To vote fans should visit the Midem official Facebook page and like the photo of their preffered finalist. Voting ends on 6 May.

“We are particularly excited about this year’s line-up for the Midem Artist Accelerator [MAA], with its strong emphasis on talent from the African continent," Midem director Alexandre Deniot said.

"This global event also features artists from as far as Australia and Cuba, along with some homegrown French talent. When they all perform live in Cannes, I think that Midem attendees will be in for a real treat," he said.

South African EDM artist DJ Black Coffee, who is MAA ambassador and keynote speaker at the event, will share his insight about the music industry.

“As Midem puts the spotlight on Africa’s bourgeoning music scene, I’m truly honoured to be this year’s artist ambassador of the MAA,” Black Coffee said. “I’m thrilled to discover the 2018 finalists and be able to share with them my own experience as an artist.”

The finalists will also receive mentorship from a committee of executives including Viacom International Media Networks executive vice-president Alex Okosi, OkayAfrica CEO Abiola Oke and Souncharts CEO David Weiszfeld.

“MAA is a unique opportunity that helps artists grow their careers," Weiszfeld said. "This is why we are thrilled to be associated with this great initiative and provide free access to the platform for the artistic committee and artists finalists participating in the programme.”

The MAA is designed to support managers, agents, labels and publishers with promotion strategy to grow and expose artists to different audiences.

The 2018 edition of Midem kicked off with the Midem African Music Forum in South Africa, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Republic of the Congo earlier this month. The organisers said the music market would take place in Africa next year.