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Spotify invests $100K into new Africa Podcast Fund initiative

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2022

Throughout its launch across Africa, top global streaming platform Spotify has demonstrated its commitment to bolstering the careers of African creators through on- and off-platform support programmes. In line with this, the company has announced a first-of-its-kind podcast initiative on the continent, the Africa Podcast Fund, with the goal of supporting podcasters and further amplifying their stories. The $100,000 fund aims to bolster the careers of these podcast creators through financial grants, workshops and networking opportunities.

The Africa Podcast Fund is offered to select creators from African countries with the biggest podcast listenerships, namely South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana. The grant also includes a Cameroonian podcast with large listenerships both in France and in Francophone African countries, such as Cote d’Ivoire. Given the wide range of selected countries, the winning podcasts are recorded in a range of languages including Pidgin, English, French, Sheng, Ga, and Twi.

The fund will be administered by Africa Podfest, a Kenyan-based company focused on inspiring and elevating African podcasters by building a sustainable and inclusive podcasting industry across Africa.

“Africa Podfest is excited about the development of podcasting in Africa particularly because the medium allows underrepresented African voices to tell the story of Africa,” says Melissa Mbugua, Co-Director, Africa Podfest.

In alphabetical order of country, the 13 recipient podcasts are:

CAMEROON

Entrepreneur, journalist and art collector Diane Audrey Ngako is the host of Si Maman M’avait Dit, which roughly translates to ‘If my mom had told me’. On her podcast, Diane Audrey gives the floor to guests, posing questions about what lessons they’ve learnt navigating their lives, careers, and relationships.

GHANA

Sincerely Accra is a popular Ghanaian podcast based on urban life in the national capital Accra. Episodes alternate between vox pops and in-studio interviews, predominantly in English with an occasional blend of Pidgin, Twi and Ga. Hosted by Joseph Nti and produced by Kwame Asante, the podcast is fast-paced and colourful, featuring a mix of personalities with exciting and varying discussions driven by current opinions and pop culture.

KENYA

The Sandwich Podcast, the podcast with the most listeners in Kenya, is hosted by four creatives: Joan, Kibz, Nyamita and Owen. Delivered in a mix of English, Swahili, and Sheng, topics on the podcast are inspired by the hosts’ life experiences and the guests they feature.

The Messy Inbetween is hosted by Murugi Munyi and Lydia Mukami, covering love, money, work, life, and advice led by lived experience and all the things that make life what it is. TMI provides a safe space for women to discuss their experiences candidly.

Mantalk.ke, hosted by Kenyan creators Eli Mwenda and Oscar Koome, recognises the need for conversations led by men on issues such as toxic masculinity, fatherhood, feminism, dating, and self care. The two hosts strive to have uncomfortable conversations, even if that means putting themselves on the spot.

Nipe Story, hosted and narrated by Kenyan writer, journalist, and queer activist Kevin Mwachiro, gives a voice to written African short stories. Mwachiro provides a platform for African writers to have their short stories heard.

NIGERIA

I Said What I Said, one of the most popular podcasts in Nigeria, is hosted by Feyikemi Abudu, an entrepreneur who is excited about helping small businesses to grow, and Jola Ayeye, a storyteller with a core interest in contemporary African culture. Each week, they dive into the Lagos Millennial experience and share their take on current happenings in Nigerian society.

Tea With Tay, hosted by Nigerian content creator Taymesan, covers societal issues and personal experiences in a fun, light-hearted and entertaining way. Taymesan hosts celebrities and other guests engaging topical conversations that spotlight his guests’ unique and intriguing stories.

F&S Uncensored covers music, pop culture and personal experiences. Hosted by Feyikemi Akin-Bankole and Simi Badiru, The podcast offers commentary on trending pop culture topics and informed opinions on how these topics affect everyday Nigerians.

SOUTH AFRICA

After School Is After School with Sis G.U, hosted by Gugulethu Nyatsumba, aims to speak more openly and honestly about the battles that Gugulethu continues to face in her 20s. The podcast seeks to foster a connection with the audience, with sharing life lessons and inspiring emotional growth.

South African podcast The Journey Kwantu, hosted by Vusumzi Ngxande, explores and questions matters around African spirituality and identity. On each episode, Vusumzi holds a conversation with a guest to dig into the most complex issues around African beliefs.

Wisdom & Wellness with Mpoomy Ledwaba, hosted by content creator Mpoomy Ledwaba, aims to foster connections with her guests and inspire her audience through important conversations that touch on life lessons and individual journeys.

Convos & Cocktails with Lesego Tlhabi is a podcast hosted by the prominent South African satirist, best known for her character Coconut Kelz. The focus of Lesego’s podcast is candid conversations that “we, as black women, want to have… but often don’t”.

Independent emerging podcasters with growing audiences were selected as recipients for the fund, with a focus on supporting podcasts that showcase a range of voices in terms of varying podcast formats, gender, language and content. It is through initiatives such as these that Spotify’s goal of further platforming African creators on a global scale can be realised – a goal central to shifting a historically restrictive view of storytelling out of and about the continent.

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Liv North shares new song ‘Boyfriend’ featuring Kwaw Kese

Published

15 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Rising Afrobeats sensation, Liv North unveils her latest single ‘Boyfriend,’ featuring renowned Ghanaian rapper, Kwaw Kese. The must-listen song celebrates love and appreciation for partners, showcasing Liv North’s vibrant style and knack for deeply felt lyrics in one scoop. ‘Boyfriend’ is in line to become a radio sensation. Listen to it here: https://fanlink.tv/liv-boyfriend

On ‘Boyfriend,’ Liv North again shines brightly. Her soulful vocals seamlessly flow into Kwaw Kese’s signature rap style to create an engaging sound that sounds fresh yet familiar. This beautiful synergy is made possible by the talented DatBeatGod, whose irresistible production captures the passion at stake.

“I’m excited to be releasing ‘Boyfriend’ with Kwaw Kese and DatBeatGod,” Liv North shares about her new release. “This song is very special to me and I hope it resonates with listeners as much as it does with me. It’s a celebration of love that I can’t wait for everyone to hear.”

Liv North has been a steady voice in the live music scene making exceptional covers, all of which are on her 2022 album, “The LivE Xperience, Vol. 1.” Her spicy fusion of Afrobeats and R&B has grown on fans over the years, with ‘Boyfriend’ set to become a resounding success and further solidify the singer as one of the genre’s favorites.

About Liv North

Liv North is quickly cementing herself as the new Afrobeats diva on the block. Known for her captivating vocals and infectious energy, Liv North has garnered massive attention among fans with a unique sound that blends traditional Afrobeats rhythms with contemporary influences. With each new release, her music pushes the boundaries of the genre while celebrating love, life and culture.

Stay tuned for more updates from Liv North and follow her on social media for the latest news and announcements.

Instagram: livnorthmusic
Twitter/X: @livnorthmusic1
Facebook: Liv North

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Prince Bright and Stonebwoy unveil their forthcoming EP with electrifying new song ‘Back To Sender (Taamiawu)’

Published

19 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

With a joint EP on the way, Prince Bright and Stonebwoy give us a sneak peek of what to expect; enter ‘Back To Sender (Taamiawu).’ This electrifying mid-tempo Afrobeats anthem is guaranteed to keep bad energy at bay, making it the perfect daily companion. Stream or download ‘Back To Sender (Taamiawu)’ across all major digital platforms here: https://ampl.ink/XApb2

Just as an apple a day keeps the doctor away, ‘Back To Sender (Taamiawu)’ keeps negativity and its associated headaches a mile away. The song acts like a talisman, attracting positive vibrations to the listener through an indulging wave of frequencies that engross, and its charm extends beyond the lively production.

Prince Bright and Stonebwoy’s dynamic vocals are equally powerful in repelling traces of negativity. They light up the track with a strong gust of optimism as the two stars uplift their audience through lyrics like “You dey wish for my downfall say make I enter for the gutter. Naaey” and “Say my bread I go always butter/Jah rise and me enemy scatter.”

According to Prince Bright, ‘Back To Sender (Taamiawu)’ is meant to address the struggles we go through. It is also the first single taken off his forthcoming EP, “Infinity,” with Stonebwoy. This heavily-anticipated collaboration will arrive later this year and promises to have something for everyone. But till then, this is the song to beat.

CONNECT WITH PRINCE BRIGHT AND STONEBWOY:

Twitter: @PrinceBright_NY

Instagram: princebright

Facebook: Prince Bright Buk Bak

Twitter: @stonebwoy

Instagram: stonebwoy

Facebook: Stonebwoy

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Amerado drops new single titled ‘Tin Ton Tan’

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Renowned Ghanaian music sensation, Amerado, is gearing up to thrill fans with his latest Afrobeat-infused single, “Tin Ton Tan.” Produced by the TGMA producer of the year nominee IzJoe Beatz, this track promises to be a chart-topper, bringing together Amerado’s lyrical prowess with IzJoe Beatz’s infectious rhythms.

Amerado, known for his sharp wit and magnetic stage presence, has once again raised the bar with “Tin Ton Tan.” This song is not just a mere release; it’s a cultural phenomenon that encapsulates the essence of contemporary Ghanaian music. With his signature blend of Twi and English lyrics, Amerado delivers a message that resonates with audiences across the nation.

“Tin Ton Tan” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a celebration of Ghanaian resilience and determination. Amerado’s verses, intertwined with IzJoe Beatz’s masterful production, create a sonic experience that is as uplifting as it is irresistible.

The visualizer which can be found on Amerado’s YouTube was shot and directed in USA by Isaa Obuobi for Creative House TV.

Watch/Stream Amerado – Tin Ton Tan via:

Others DSPs: https://onerpm.link/tintontan

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Ogee Xeng drops ‘Agege Baby’ EP

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

The fusion of diverse genres has become a hallmark of creativity in today’s music.Afrobeat and Amapiano stands out as a vibrant concoction.AGEGE BABY has the infectious groove of Afrobeat seamlessly blended with the infectious energy of Amapiano.

The EP opens with a transcendent track that sets the tone for the entire experience.
Each track on the EP expect track 4 (benk3 me interlude) offers a unique exploration of the Afro-Amapiano fusion.
One standout track on the EP is track 2 (Gbogbo(wall))The Ga language could weave intricate patterns, seamlessly blending with the rhythmic groove of the Amapiano beat. The lyrics tell a story of perseverance conveying a sense upliftment to the listener.

Another highlight of the EP is track 3 (Power) A powerful expression of frustration, disillusionment, and a call for accountability as the beat kicks in, it’s driven by pounding drums and deep basslines that give the music a sense of urgency.The lyrics are raw and unapologetic.

As the EP draws to a close, the final track (Agboo ayee) leaves listeners wanting more, its infectious groove lingering in their minds with its seamless blend of Afrobeat and Amapiano.

Links

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/00S01BO3P1bu0lgAUsqTxs?si=2QS9HdYfSaGHhyVbSkh64A

Apple Musichttps://music.apple.com/us/album/agege-baby-ep/1734643633

Boomplay https://www.boomplay.com/share/album/86312562?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=IOS

Audiomack https://audiomack.com/ogee-xeng/album/agege-baby?share-user-id=7383633

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Yankee Beatz and TRzemmi gear up for new collaborative EP with lead single “Slow Down”

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

VJ Scaro

Yankee Beatz, the dynamic and multi-talented Composer, Music Producer, Songwriter, and Artist, thrills audiences with his latest release, “Slow Down,” featuring the talented TRzemmi. (more…)

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Listen Up: Afro Fusion sensation OOSHA drops long-awaited album “OOSHATIDE”

Published

4 days ago

April 28, 2024

VJ Scaro

Afro Fusion sensation, OOSHA , has dropped his highly anticipated body of work dubbed “OOSHATIDE” featuring 12 distinct tracks such as “Caesar place ,” DND,” “OOSHATIDE,” “Pull Up,” and “Over u.” The artist said of the new release in a statement: “On this project, I connect with my inner flame, It’s like an outburst on the inside of me that I’ve held in for too long. It’s not fueled with negativity, rather it’s fueled with drive, passion, and destiny. What people will hear on this project is a little exhale from me, only that it comes with fire.” OOSHA music has frequently divided opinions. his flitting across a range of genres. His output on his new album OOSHATIDE showed this off, earning him the love of a dedicated fanbase as OOSHA continues to salute the salacious nature of Afro Fusion, but his vocal deliveries are far-ranging, existing on the seams of diasporic affiliations and dreamy inventiveness. His melodies sometimes sound like mutterings from the depth of sex-induced sleep, but with his endless cache of Nigerian references.