Open call: CollaboNation 2024

CollaboNation is an opportunity that is designed for artists to collaborate with musicians from another African country to record original and inspirational songs, in line with the social and environmental values of MTN Bushfire festival. The call is designed for established artists who are older than 21 years and seeks to support artists, capacitate the regional music sector through training and mentorship, and inspire dynamic new African content creation.

Founded in 2022 and produced by one of the continent’s leading music and arts festivals, MTN Bushfire in eSwatini, CollaboNation facilitates physical meetings and shared studio time for the selected artists to create new, conscious songs. 

How to apply

Interested artists can apply here before 7 March. 

All rights to CollaboNation songs and music videos are owned by the artists but are produced and licensed by Bushfire Records, a dynamic record label with an authentic and eclectic focus. The releases are distributed in partnership with Paradise Worldwide, a global distro agency based in Europe.

Important dates

Artists must be able to travel and be free for recording and performances around the indicated dates:

• Artist applications: 7 February to 7 March
• Artist selection/public voting: March
• Artist announcements: 12 March
• Studio recordings: 15 to 19 April
• MTN Bushfire festival performance: 31 May to 2 June
• Music video launch: 21 June

“CollaboNation will continue to connect and unite the continent through unique music collaborations that promote and support the cultural legacies of traditional African music within a modern music context,” MTN Bushfire festival director Jiggs Thorne said. “In line with MTN Bushfire’s inspiring call to action for collective positive social and environmental change, Bring Your Fire, the project unites artists with a conscious message in their music intended to support and validate identity, culture and heritage in a celebration of Africa’s diverse and unique cultural roots.” 

Music In Africa Foundation director Eddie Hatitye, representing CollaboNation funding partner the Sounds Connect Fund, said: “The Music In Africa Foundation’s Sound Connects Fund team and all the partners involved in this initiative are blown away by the creative output of CollaboNation. We are pleased and excited to see the emphasis on collaboration exchange and sustainability that has been demonstrated throughout this project. Bringing together artists from different countries and different artistic backgrounds to make such compelling creative projects and performances has never been done in this format before.” 

View the original call here.