Kenya: Bmixx named first Boomplay Rising Stars winner

With most emerging artists lacking the promotional support and a platform to grow their numbers, Boomplay says the campaign is rooted in its commitment to fostering innovation, diversity, and creativity within the music industry.

The bi-monthly initiative seeks to identify, support, and elevate emerging artists, providing them with the tools and opportunities necessary to thrive in their musical careers.

“By providing a comprehensive platform for emerging artists, we seek to bridge the gap between raw talent and mainstream success, ensuring that fresh voices have the opportunity to shine,” the Africa-facing music service said.

“The campaign aims to work one-on-one with upcoming artists to help them navigate and develop their skills in the music industry,” a Boomplay Kenya representative said. “The main intention is to help them see music as a business and more than a hobby.”

The campaign kicked off with the first announcement on 16 August, followed by nominations on the 23rd and artist selection on the 29th.

Boomplay added: “In today's dynamic music landscape, discovering and nurturing new talent is paramount to ensuring the continued vibrancy and diversity of the industry.

“This campaign is not just about finding new voices, it's about creating a nurturing ecosystem where talent can flourish. By leveraging Boomplay's extensive reach and resources, we will offer a comprehensive platform that includes talent scouting, professional development, and promotional support. Our goal is to bridge the gap between raw talent and mainstream success, ensuring that the next wave of music legends emerges from our initiative.”

The objectives of the campaign are to identify emerging talent, support artistic development and
enhance visibility.

To be featured in the campaign, a call is issued on social media asking fans to identify an artist on the rise. Boomplay will then conduct internal research, studying their rankings and the performances of their releases.

Those selected will be connected with established industry professionals who will mentor them. They will also be taken through workshops and masterclasses on various aspects of the music business. To top it off, they will receive marketing and promotion support through an in-app package, social media campaign, playlist campaign, and performance opportunities.

Bmixx is a Kenyan hip hop artist who has been releasing music since 2019, carefully building up a fanbase through his fast-paced and captivating wordplay.