SA: 14 artists selected for 2025 AmaGroove music residency

The residency, presented by One Groove in partnership with the Riky Rick Foundation, AUTOR, Nirox Foundation, Koda Kultur, and the Danish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, will bring together seven artists from each country for a week of intensive collaboration, co-creation, and artistic exchange.

The 2025 cohort includes:

South Africa

1. Ivee Soul
2. Miči
3. Day 35
4. Baby S.O.N
5. Umzulu Phaqa
6. Craig Lucas
7. Phonikz

Denmark

1. Nikolaj Pellegrini
2. TMI Tammi
3. Elijah Kashmir
4. Theresa Rex
5. Zania
6. Elijah Okello
7. Karen Mukupa

Participants will engage in collaborative writing and recording sessions alongside industry panel discussions, mentoring opportunities, and networking events. The initiative aims to foster artistic innovation, cross-cultural dialogue, and the creation of original music.

“The quality and diversity of this year’s applications made the selection process especially competitive,” said organisers. “Each selected artist brings a unique voice and vision, promising a dynamic and impactful residency.”

Launched in 2024, the AmaGroove Residency has already proven its potential, with last year’s edition resulting in the creation of 20 original tracks. A standout example includes ‘SAID I DO’ by Chipego and Danish producer Mark Fosnæs, conceived during a late-night studio session and now available on streaming platforms.

The AmaGroove Residency continues to position itself as a significant platform for emerging artists, promoting cross-border collaboration and supporting music that transcends genre, geography, and identity.