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 Afrobeats songs of 2024

14 Feb 2024 - 09:59

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Afrobeats, West Africa’s most notable music innovation, has been a pop marvel. Its ongoing global momentum has been facilitated by significant investment, a steady supply of great music and the constant emergence of new stars. This year marks another chapter of the sound as it deepens its contribution to the international music scene, incorporating diverse rhythms and fostering collaboration both within and outside the continent.

Nigerian Afrobeats hitmaker Ayra Starr. Photo: Lex Ash

Below is our 2024 playlist featuring the top Afrobeats songs offering a snapshot of the musical backdrop shaping life on the continent and beyond. This selection will be updated all year round, so be sure to bookmark it to stay in the loop.

Twe Twe by Kizz Daniel and Davido

This track features two of Nigeria’s most prolific contemporary popstars, their offerings perpetually heard in clubs and other social events. ‘Twe Twe’ is a fast-paced percussive invitation to dance and further solidifies the two artists’ influence as industry mainstays.

Wotowoto Seasoning by Odumodublvck ft. Black Sherif

Despite hailing from Lagos, Odumodublvck often credits Abuja for his mainstream success. A vibrant force, he has swiftly become the fresh face of Nigerian hip hop. Although the genre doesn’t always have universal appeal, Odumodublvck has successfully crafted a style that resonates widely, earning him a spot on the Afrobeats charts.

Happiness by Sarz ft. Asake and Gunna

Renowned for crafting beats for notable artists such as Wizkid, Naeto C, Banky W, Wande Coal and Lojay, Benin City-born super-producer Sarz is widely referenced for his unique touch when making African pop. On his uplifting new offering ‘Happiness’, Sarz summons a blend of soulful rhythm and melodies that guarantee a dance-ready experience. Collaborating with fellow Nigerian artist Asake and American rapper Gunna, the song serves as an ode to being positive.

Commas by Ayra Starr

In just a few years, Mavin signee Ayra Starr has established herself as a bona fide Afrobeats diva with multiple hits, thus fulfilling industry watchers’ predictions of a global breakthrough. Her musical efforts have culminated in a Grammy nomination, and her latest track ‘Commas’ reflects on her massive achievements so far.

Diamonds by Wizkid

‘Diamonds’ is a focus track from Wizkid’s recent surprise EP. The song, which encapsulates the laid-back essence synonymous with the artist, raises a toast to success; fittingly so, as Wizkid continues to hold a prominent position among the top three Afrobeats stars (alongside Davido and Burna Boy), a status he has maintained for more than a decade.

Cast by Shallipopi ft. Odumodublvck

Like the song’s other guest, Shallipopi, another new rap face in Nigeria, is basking in significant commercial success. ‘Cast’ is the product of two street disciples who have hacked African dance music like few have. ‘Cast’ is vain, raw and still irresistible in its appeal.

Men of the South by Timi Dakolo

Renowned for conspiring contemporary classics, Timi Dakolo is what you would call a Nigerian iteration of adult contemporary music, seamlessly blending soul, jazz, highlife and more. His track ‘Men of the South’ from his latest album Chorus Leader, is a vibrant expression of love and opulence driven by rich indigenous culture and rhythm.

Egwu by Chike ft. Mohbad

One of the distinctive features of Afrobeats is its openness to embracing various genres, exemplified by the incorporation of South Africa’s amapiano in recent years. Resident loverboy Chike’s ‘Egwu’ takes this route, summoning late rapper Mohbad to celebrate the boundless potency and transformative power of music.

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