Musicians, spoken word artists come together for MusicXwords programme

18 Nov 2021 - 09:57

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

On 28 and 29 October, the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) and the European Union Delegation to South Africa, with the support of the Cultural Relations Platform, hosted a training workshop and digital showcase as part the MusicXwords initiative, which aims to facilitate interdisciplinary exchange between musicians and spoken word artists in South Africa. The project also seeks to strengthen collaboration between the musicians and European festivals, bookers and programmers.

Thandi Ntuli speaking with participants at the workshop. Photos: Music In Africa
Michael Balkind is among the creatives who facilitated the MusicXwords training workshop.
South African singer Bonj (right) performing at the MusicXwords showcase.
ANGELYRIC_PG13 during the live-streamed concert.

The two segments of the proramme took place at Soda Studio in Johannesburg with 10 acts, comprising 36 individual members, who were selected from 105 applicants by industry professionals including Maneo Mohale, Goodenough Mashego and Roshnie Moonsamy, among others.

The MusicXword participants were Amaza, ANGELYRIC_PG13, Bonj, Flex of He & I, Khayalethu, Luh'ra, Modise Sekgothe, Mogale Sedibe, Thembelihle Dunjana and Wandile Mbambeni.

Workshop

The 28 October workshop was facilitated by curator, artist and tour manager Siya Mthembu, jazz musician Thandi Ntuli and Soda Studio boss Michael Balkind. Mthembu and Ntuli took the participants on an export-readiness journey, which included guidance on how to conduct research before touring. They also spoke about the importance of understanding contracts, music publishing and the music streaming business. Balkind, meanwhile, shared his knowledge and expertise of streaming, including strategies and ideas about building a global audience and pointers on how to monetise content online. His presentation also touched on the significance of the metaverse and virtual engagement.

Mogale Sedibe described the intensive workshop as an eye-opening experience that gave him insight into how to navigate, plan and execute a tour abroad, particularly in Europe.

“There have been opportunities where I have been able to travel but everything was taken care of,” he said. “I think I got and in-depth understanding of all the details involved that an artist has to implement if they were to do it all by themselves. I also learnt about the different revenues through which one can be compensated for their work, and that it’s not just getting a performance fee but that there are so many other ways of capitalising on your work in this country and abroad.”

Sound artist Amaza said the workshop was beneficial for her or any artist looking to tour. “These are the things that I didn’t know about before one travels abroad, especially as an independent artist. Knowing about the admin of documentation such as insurance and visas was very important,” she said.

Singer, songwriter and produce Wandile Mbambeni singled out critical areas that independent artists needed to be aware of, including “owning your stuff such as royalties, contracts, sync rights and music licensing.”

“These can really open many avenues for me and I think I am at peace looking at the future because I know more now,” he said.

Showcases

Poet and spoken word artist Flex of He & I’s gave the opening performance of the showcase event and was followed by Amaza, ANGELYRIC_PG13, Bonj, Khayalethu, Luh'ra, Modise Sekgothe, Mogale Sedibe, Thembelihle Dunjana and Wandile Mbambeni, who all gave memorable performances for the limited number of attendees and the many viewers who tuned in to watch the event virtually.

“The jury will deliberate and select from these 10 artists the fine final artists who will be matched with EU festivals and cultural programmes,” the European Union Delegation to South Africa and Cultural Relations Platform said in a joint statement. “These five artists will receive financial support from the Cultural Relations Platform to travel to Europe and participate in these European festivals in 2022.”

Watch the MusicXwords showcase here.

About MusicXwords

The MusicXwords project is an initiative by the EU Delegation to South Africa, implemented in partnership with the Music In Africa Foundation and supported by the Cultural Relations Platform.

About the Music In Africa Foundation

The MIAF is a pan-African, non-profit organisation based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with satellite offices in East, West and Central Africa. The MIAF’s mission is to support the African music sector through promoting knowledge exchange and creating opportunities and capacity for music professionals. The foundation does this in two ways: digitally via the Music In Africa website (www.musicinafrica.net) and offline through training programmes, artist mobility programmes, workshops, concerts, lobbying, conferences and other related initiatives.

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About the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa

Since the establishment of the European Union Delegation in the country after the first democratic elections in 1994, the EU and South Africa saw rapidly expanded cooperation. The relations were strengthened in 2007 with the establishment of the EU-South Africa Strategic Partnership, a forward-looking platform that facilitates wide-ranging cooperation between our two parties. A range of dialogues between the EU and South Africa allow to share experiences in areas of common interest, or where challenges have to be faced. Areas covered by these dialogues include education, health, energy, the environment, macro-economic policies, human rights, peace and security including maritime security. The partnership is broad and comprehensive and covers political, trade and development interests, as well as cultural relations. Except for consular tasks, the Delegation in Pretoria functions like an embassy; it is a diplomatic mission representing the European Union to South Africa together with the 27 Member States of the European Union.

More information is available on:

About the Cultural Relations Platform

Launched in April 2020 by the European Union, the Cultural Relations Platform is designed to strengthen the EU’s ability to engage meaningfully with different audiences and stakeholders in its partner countries, through enhanced cultural relations and cultural cooperation. The Platform aims to promote and facilitate sustainable cultural exchange, support cooperation among cultural and creative sectors, and strengthen communities and networks of cultural practitioners. It supports and funds several activities in partner countries around the globe, including in collaboration with the EU delegations Worldwide.

More information is available on:

MusicXwords