A few weeks ago, the trending news in Nigerian entertainment was Nigerian Afrobeats artists Olamide, Rema, and Davido watching Barcelona vs. Real Madrid at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. There is a clip of Rema dancing as his track “Ozeba” blasts on the stadium speakers, and the fans loudly sing along.
This is perhaps the latest reminder of the fact that the global recognition that African music has gained for its unique sounds, vibrant creativity, and dynamic artists is not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. The recognition that Rema and the likes of Tyla, Arya Starr, Wizkid, Burnaboy, Sauti Sol, Yossou N’dour, and Angelique Kidjo are on the global stage is surely a huge step in the right direction for African music, but it is only one step in many. It is imperative that the African music industry starts to build on this growth so that Africans can benefit a lot more than just the vicarious feeling of watching Rema thrill American crowds.
The music industry has the potential to be a significant economic driver in Africa, creating jobs and generating income. However, to realize this potential, there is a need for professionals who not only create music but also understand the business and technical aspects of the industry. Technical fellowships provide training in areas such as music business management, intellectual property rights, and digital distribution, empowering music professionals to monetize their work effectively and sustainably.
The conversation around professionalizing the African music industry has become louder in recent years, and agencies and organizations across the continent are rising to fill the gap. From Nigeria to Zimbabwe to Morocco, there is a renewed consciousness of the need to go beyond the surface of the musical explosion to build long-term value. There is no doubt that even beyond the good musicians, there are immensely talented professionals in Africa. After all, most, if not all, of the aforementioned musicians were managed by professionals in their home countries before they achieved global fame. However, without these professionals getting an endorsement from a credible body of professionals that their skills are of the standard required to meet global demand, they will still continue to miss out on lucrative opportunities in the global music space.
Therefore, for organizations and networks that are looking to educate the next generation of African music industry professionals, the focus should not just be on building capacity in professional skills; it should also be on putting them in professional networks where they can be assessed by a recognized body of fellow professionals and certified that they are who they claim to be. The best way to achieve that goal is through technical fellowships backed by governments or private enterprises. Technical fellowships aid in this by providing structured learning programs tailored to the unique requirements of the music industry. This ensures that the growth of the industry is not just a temporary surge but a sustained development that can support future generations of music professionals. The Sony Music Group Impact Fellows Program and the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business Fellowship Program at Howard University are examples of both private companies and educational institutions creating fellowships to professionalize the music industry.
It is important that African music professionals be immersed in environments of professional fellowships. Fellowships offer music professionals the opportunity to learn about the latest technologies and techniques in the industry in order to enhance the quality of their music production and foster music innovation to improve the quality of music on the continent.
It is obvious how invaluable technical fellowships can be for African music professionals looking to expand their reach and influence, and how they help music professionals build relationships that open doors to international opportunities. The question is: how should music fellowships be driven?
Given that the goal of a fellowship is professionalism, it goes without saying that it should be driven by a network of music business professionals, all of whom work actively in different parts of the continent and who, through the power of their community, have built a wide knowledge base on the music industry in Africa. This is why Arts Connect Africa is in the best position to lead such a drive. The ACA has members from over 20 countries on the continent, many of whom have over two decades of experience as professionals and many of whom are recognized globally as music industry professionals. Any technical projects coordinated by the network are guaranteed to provide the knowledge that will enable any professional who participates in any of such technical initiatives to thrive in the global music space.
By providing the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks, these fellowships empower music professionals to enhance their craft, innovate, and compete on a global stage. As the industry continues to grow, the importance of technical fellowships cannot be overstated—they are essential for bridging the skills gap, enhancing quality, expanding networks, increasing economic opportunities, and supporting sustainable growth. However, more importantly, they need to be driven by networks of professionals who have the knowledge and experience to make them useful to African professionals.
