Modalities for a Global African Music upscale are set with Nigeria taking part in a round table meeting with organizers of the Grammy Awards, Recording Academy, and four other countries
The meeting which took place on Tuesday at the Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda is aimed at elevating the vibrant music and culture of Africa to take to the global stage.
The steering committee consisting of Ministers of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy of Kenya, Rwanda, a delegation from South Africa representing the Ministry in South Africa, the CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, and representatives of Afrexim bank and the Recording Academy, resolved to advance the creative industries across the continent and support the diverse artistic heritage.
Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa in her remarks said that Africa is the future of the music industry boom.
Special adviser to the minister on media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze quoted the minister to have indicatef that Nigeria is diversifying from oil to music, culture and entertainment which will fetch the country, $100b by 2030.
Musawa also urged on member countries to support one another and embrace the African music project which will not only serve as a platform for global economic expansion but also as a tool for national reconciliation, unity and progress in Africa’s entertainment industry.
“I must salute our Afrobeat superstars as their globalization and emergence into global pop culture has brought the Grammies to Africa. I will first thank the legends of the Nigerian Music industry that brought us here; Burna Boy, WIzkid, Don Jazzy, Dbanj, Davido, P-Square, 2Face, Asake, Tiwa Savage, and others too numerous to mention.
“Nigeria was invited to this meeting by the Recording Academy following the global success of Nigeria’s afrobeats movement. As Africans, we are the future. We are undeniable and have a voice which must be used to propel the unity and progress of not only Africans but the black race all over the world.
“The music industry provides alternative source of revenue for Nigeria as well as other African countries, thus reducing dependency on traditional sectors like oil. The Nigerian music industry is enjoyed across Africa and the globe, providing employment opportunities for millions of young people in Africa, while promoting the African culture and generating foreign currency to the country’s gdp.
“We have a responsibility to use this collaboration with the Recording Academy and all the founding members, to give Africa the strength and identity they have always yearned for. The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed me to ensure that we create an enabling environment for this collaboration to thrive and to see how can all work together as equal partners”.
The steering committee discussed issues affecting the African music industry including Intellectual Property Rights, Piracy, and poor funding.
Member countries also committed to supporting economic policies for creative industries which involve working with governments and policymakers to create favorable environments for artists and creators.
This they said will foster a cohesive Pan-African vision for the music industry, promoting intellectual property rights and creative innovation, facilitating artistic mobility of music creators through unhindered access to performance venues across continents, access to global opportunities through joint programs and cross collaborations.
This is to ensure that African creators share their talents on the world stage as well as provision of educational resources, training and global elevation of African music and cultural excellence.
Key stakeholders at the meeting included the Recording Academy’s Chair, Tammy Hurt, the CEO of the Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr., Co-President Panos A. Panay, and the Special Advisor to the CEO and President of the Recording Academy Joe Phelan.
Others include the Minister of Youth and Arts in Rwanda, Hon. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah, Minister of Sports and Culture in Kenya Hon. Ababu Namwamba, Acting Minister of Sports, Art, Tsholofelo Lejaka who represented the Ministry from South Africa and the representative of Afrexim Bank Temwa Gondwe.
The Recording Academy had earlier announced agreements with Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa to extend its efforts to support music creators on a global scale.
Nigeria embraces this vision of partnering with other creative minds on the continent, to explore advanced strategies and roadmaps aimed at promoting the country’s talents through world-stage performances.