Digital on everyone’s lips at ACCES 2018

The effects of the digital revolution on the music industry featured prominently in the discussions at the various panels. It also emerged that African music professionals need to contextualise to make a living in tough economies.

A keynote speech from Kenyan singer Eric Wainaina started proceedings. This was followed by a discussion on royalty collection, which continues to be a thorny issue in Africa. The panellists included Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) executive director Edward Sigei, CISAC regional director for Africa Samuel Sangwa (Rwanda), SACEM international development officer for Africa Akotchaye Okio, KAMP vice-chairperson Angela Ndambuki and the head of stakeholder relations for SAMRO, Nkateko Maluleke. Kenyan musician and high court advocate Maureen Kunga moderated the session.

Fela Kuti’s manager Rikki Stein and Cameroonian musician and entrepreneur Blick Bassy then created a dialogue around artist management. The role of social media was a central theme as it emerged that the number of followers one has is a critical criterion that record companies use when signing artist. Bassy also spoke about the ability to multi-task in promotion and management.

Meanwhile, in the breakaway room a workshop was ongoing covering music production essentials led by Tim 'Ennovator' Rimbui (Kenya), Eric Musyoka (Kenya) and Nick Loder (UK/Kenya.

“African producers need to start specialising more, we are all over the place," Rimbui said. "It is a reaction to the market because people have bills to pay, but if you pick an area and really master it, you will also have work,”.

The DJ Essentials workshop followed soon after, also in the breakaway room, where DJ Suraj took delegates through the importance of understanding context.

“It's important for African DJs to figure out exactly what works in their specific country, otherwise they will be frustrated," he said afterwards. "Our discussion today centered around just sharing our different experiences with the delegates and growing each other."

During the afternoon session in the main theatre, delegates were taken through a presentation on the re-emergence of traditional sounds in East African urban music by Santuri East Africa Mwalimu Gregg Tendwa and percussionist Kasiva Mutua. Both passionate proponents of the authentic African sound, they enlightened the delegates about the importance of taping into the African vibe in their music.

The final panel of the day was on streaming and how it has changed business models for artists and record labels alike. The panellists included Mdundo head of music Shyqo Koinange (Kenya), Spinlet CEO John Ajah (Nigeria), The Orchard vice-president for France, Benelux & West Africa Ben Oldfield, Deezer head of African operations Gillian Ezra (South Africa) and Sheer Publishing boss David Alexander (South Africa). The moderator was CAPASSO's Wiseman Qinani Ngubo (South Africa), who steered the conversation towards the newest trends and how artists can make a mark in a highly competitive space.

The conference continues tomorrow with various insightful panels, presentations, networking sessions and showcases lined up.

About ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African event for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe.

ACCES 2018 is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation is partnership with Goethe-Institut, Siemens Stiftung, Kenya’s Permanent Presidential Music Commission, MagicalKenya and the Kenya Cultural Centre.