NEFCISA
NEFCISA

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) is proud of its partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as a Strategic Implementing Partner (SIP) for its Social Employment Fund (SEF). Through this collaboration, MIAF is running a national programme that is creating jobs, addressing skills gaps, and strengthening South Africa's creative industries — in line with the SEF's overarching goal to generate work for the common good and build community value through employment, social contribution, and inclusive economic participation. Operating under the banner NEFCISA (National Employment Facility for Creative Industries in South Africa), the initiative is recruiting and training participants, matching them with host organisations, and has already placed 1 500 workers across the country — surpassing its original target of 1 000. NEFCISA is delivered through a network of 20 host organisations spanning five provinces, who are actively hosting participants and contributing to work for the common good across South Africa's creative and cultural industries. Key Objectives: Support employment and entrepreneurship in the creative industries. Offer skills development and training programmes. Foster partnerships between public and private creative sectors. Promote South African creativity at both provincial and national levels Foster community development through social contribution.

ACCES
ACCES

ACCES Conference and Showcase Festival is Africa's leading music industry gathering, bringing together the people shaping the future of the continent's music business. Artists, entrepreneurs, executives, investors, policymakers and cultural leaders from across Africa and around the world come to ACCES to build partnerships, exchange ideas, discover talent and create new business opportunities. Since its launch in 2017, ACCES has become the continent's premier platform for professional exchange and music market development. Combining a high-level conference with a curated showcase festival, networking, exhibitions and industry programmes, ACCES offers a unique space where creativity meets business and where African music connects with the global industry.

Gender@Work
Gender@Work

Music In Africa Gender @ Work is a three-year training programme aimed at upskilling and increasing the participation of female professionals in the African music sector. Launched by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) in April 2019, the programme is connected to the MIAF’s ACCES music conference – a pan-African event held in a different African country every year. This connection enables the programme to reach new participants in a different African country every year. The programme marks the beginning of a more concerted effort by the Foundation to support the participation and inclusion of women in all facets of its programmes and the music sector in Africa as a whole. Over the three years, the programme will aim to address gender imbalances in the sector through training, lobbying, facilitating knowledge exchange and dialogues that foster the interest of women. The broader objectives of the programme are to: Provide industry training for women on critical music industry skills, focusing on: Stage management Electronic music production and recording Music business management Technical knowledge Provide an opportunity for both professional and aspiring women to benefit from the Music In Africa network and its broad range of activities in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Provide a solution-based platform in the form of a round table at ACCES with a view to identify challenges, discuss opportunities and lobby for the interests of female practitioners. Offer participants the opportunity to benefit from programmes offered by MIAF’s partners. Increase access to educational materials. Integrate participants in the broader ACCES programme to maximise experience and exposure to the industry. Record and present training materials on the www.musicinafrica.net, including but not limited to tutorials, templates and other best-practice materials. Communicate women-based themes that support the initiatives and messages of the programme. MAIN TRAINING ACTIVITIES Training in first country (Ghana): In the first year, participants will be trained on all aspects of stage management by a team of experienced stage managers from 10 to 17 November 2019. The programme will offer robust classroom training as well as practical, hands-on training in which participants will also be given the opportunity to manage various aspects of the ACCES performance programme. Training in second country: The second training iteration will take place at ACCES 2020 when the programme will diversify its course to include music production lessons and training on other music business topics. A round-table platform will also be introduced to coincide with the ACCES programme. Training in third country: The third training iteration will take place at ACCES 2021 in a different country, offering an advanced course. HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?  As a participant, facilitator or trainer: The programme enrolls up to 12 trainees every year. All opportunities are advertised publicly on this website, and will be added to this page. Please keep checking this page for new calls (below under UPDATES & CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES). As a partner Please contact Claire Metais at [email protected]. APPLY The call for applications for 2020 will be announced soon. The Music In Africa Gender @ Work programme is made possible with the support of the Prince Claus Fund, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Sound Connects Fund
Sound Connects Fund

For cultural and creative practitioners and organisations operating in southern Africa, access to funding remains a major challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a massive impact on government policy, spending and the economy in general, and has seen spending on culture being moved further down the list of priorities. Further, the cultural and creative industries repeatedly cite four main areas where investment is needed for growth, which are increased visibility, mobility including access to new markets, finance and support structures.

Instrument Building And Repair Project
Instrument Building And Repair Project

Experience the Vibrations African Instruments Exhibition online in 3D

Features

Top 10 Liberian songs of 2020

08 Jul 2020 - 12:57

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The Liberian music scene has been able to gain relevance in Africa and beyond. This is expected to get bigger before the end of the year, and in the coming year, as Liberian artists continue to release hits.

Liberia's mainstream musicians are making their mark on the African music industry with a number of strong releases in 2020.

The year 2020 has been a remarkable year for Liberian music, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the music industry has seen exceptional tracks released by a number of well-known Liberian musicians.

Most songs on this playlist were released in 2020, but we decided to also include some tracks from late 2019, as they were strategically released to gain traction in the coming year. One such track is MC Caro's 'Don't Tell Me', which was released shortly before the end of 2019.

The below songs are in no particular order and the criteria used in their selection include airplay and number of streams and downloads.

No Money by J Slught

J Slught has proven to be outstanding with his sound and the way he fuses the wider Afro sound with the Liberian sound. He released 'No Money' as a way of introducing his debut EP Home & Beyond, which has gained recognition both locally and internationally with good numbers on streaming platforms. 'No money' was featured on BBC Africa’s Top 10 playlist by DJ Edu.

Medicine by Bucky Raw

Bucky Raw kept his fans waiting after the release of his single in 2019 but we can proudly say the wait was worth it and he didn’t disappoint. Bucky Raw premiered 'Medicine' in early July and has since gained impressive numbers on streaming services. He has mastered the art of writing catchy songs that fans fall in love with immediately.

Can’t Get Enough by C Jay ft. Singah

C Jay is one of Liberia’s fastest growing acts. He came on the scene with his first hit 'Boss Chick' and since then he has remained relevant. He teams up with upcoming Nigerian act Singha on 'Can’t Get Enough', and since its release the song has gained local recognition on the airwaves and in the clubs.

Emergency by Tamba Hali

‘Emergency’ is a follow-up to Tamba Hali’s debut single 'Pay Day'. 'Emergency' features two top Liberian female artistes, Pillz and Faithvonic, who go all out on this track. MasterKraft, on the other hand, gave it his best, from the beatmaking to the mastering processes.

Zombie by Trille ft. DenG

Trille has been one of the most successful up-and-coming Liberian musicians in 2020. On ‘Zombie’, he teams up with one of Liberia’s finest, DenG, to dish out this mega hit. 'Zombie' was felt in every corner of Liberia, even during the COVID-19 lockdown. It spread like wildfire to the extent that if you were outdoors, you heard it playing from a bike or shop.

Pray for Me by TeddyRide

TeddyRide is an example of motivation and determination. The Liberian hipco artist does not sugar-coat to be noticed. 'Pray for Me' has a rich, full accompaniment that complements the vocal track perfectly. The performance quality is high throughout, both vocally and instrumentally. Since its release, the song has gained massive airplay in the streets and on the airwaves.

Don’t Ask Me by MC CARO

MC CARO is an exceptional Liberian female artist. She has been consistent since she entered the music scene, giving listeners a 100% Liberian sound. 'Don’t Ask Me' was released in the latter part of 2019 and gained traction in 2020.

Gi Jerk by Muzikal

Muzikal is one of Liberia’s most promising acts. The talented singer released 'Gi Gerk' when his career was in chaos. The song has been a huge boost for his career and got him back on track. The song has topped the charts since its release and has become somewhat of a national anthem.

Kpete by J Slught

After the release of his Home & Beyond EP, fans were able to single out ‘Kpete’ as one of its best tracks. ‘Kpete’ has an Afrobeats vibe with catchy lyrics similar to Wizkid or Tekno Jam. The hook is catchy and features a simple beat and melody, and a great vibe. It gained recognition through leading Nigerian Instagram blog @tundeednut and was featured on Apple Music’s Hot Tracks playlist.

Chocolate By Nuchie Meek & CIC

After the success of his Still Breathing EP, Nuchie Meek teams up with CIC on this beautiful jam. The song was recorded in Ghana, where its video was shot. Good sound, good delivery!

This playlist was curated with the help of Samuel Wuraola.

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