MBA for Africa strikes partnership with The Orchard for Talent Project

The Talent Project is a companion initiative to the MBA for Africa’s annual programme dedicated to developing the next generation of music entrepreneurs on the continent.

The partnership offers seven emerging acts an opportunity to properly launch their music careers to a global audience. It will see The Orchard provide financing for the development of the artists from song creation to release. The company will also provide marketing and promotional support for releasing an EP from The Talent Project.

In 2021, MBA’s Talent Project provided a platform for more than 190 students across 30 cities to work with five African artists on two EPs namely Heart On A Sleeve and Moments. In 2022, the initiative will expand its reach, allowing more students to gain first-hand experience of how things work in the music industry.

“The MBA for Africa Talent Project is an activity we developed to ensure that students have an avenue to practise the things they have been taught,” MBA for Africa founder Godwin Tom said. “ It makes it real for the students. With this partnership, we are making it more worthwhile for the talents as well. We are giving talent an opportunity to use our platform to kickstart their careers in the music industry.”

MBA for Africa programme director Elizabeth Sobowale added that the sponsorship will go a long way in “ensuring that students gain practical knowledge and experience of the music industry so that they are well equipped for their future careers.”

The Orchard’s vice-president for Africa, Ben Oldfield, said: “It’s essential that we lend support to the next generation of emerging artists. This partnership with MBA gives these artists access to a new global fanbase and a chance to build their brand beyond language or geographical boundaries.”

The Talent Project will run between September and December. Interested artists have until 22 August to submit their music here. The Top 30 talents will be selected by MBA’s A&R team for the general public to vote for their top 15 via the Talent Project’s website. Final voting for the top seven winners will be done by the students of the Music Business Academy for Africa 2022.

Meanwhile, this year’s MBA for Africa class, developed by iManage Africa, in partnership with Music Ally and Dr Carlos Chirinos of the Music Business Department at the New York University, will run between August and December, equipping students with knowledge about a range of music business trends and technologies and hands-on experience on creating sustainable careers.