World News
Africa Rising Music Conference 2023: Empowering Female-led Event Unites Global Music Industry in Johannesburg
The 2023 edition of Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) was a success, with hundreds of artists, fans, and industry professionals converging at the Hallmark House Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 23 and 24 May.
The conference received high praise from delegates who said the women-led event was a much-needed platform that would help bridge the gap between Africa and the rest of the world.
This year, the convention shone a spotlight on Zambia and Germany and featured local influential industry players including Paradise Worldworld, National Arts Council (NAC), Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF), the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), Basadi In Music Awards and Trace South Africa. Also featured at the conference was a delegation of Germany-based music professionals comprising Re.Decay music producer and label owner Owen Ross, GROOVE magazine representative Alexis Waltz, WOMEX/Piranha Arts head of communications Gaurav Narula, creative Maureen ‘Mo’ Mutheu, WISE founder Philipp Geffer, Stil vor Talent co-founder and CEO Slawjana Ulrich, seed investor and entrepreneur representative Peer-Uli May, MA Music Academy Berlin managing director Karin Mueller, and AFEM events and communications manager Thilini Jayawickrama.
Plenary sessions and workshops
Over the two days, the delegates – some of whom traveled from Spain, UK and Botswana – shared ideas on different perspectives on how to improve the music industry. Plenary sessions were held to spur conversations on the urgent issues facing the industry, and new avenues for opportunities were examined.
A panel on The Power of Music Conferences in Driving Regional Music Industries featured Music In Africa Foundation projects officer Claire Metais who used the annual ACCES conference to highlight the important role played by such gatherings.
“We had an interesting chat about the development of more similar platforms across the continent,” Metais said. “As Music In Africa, we were honored to participate in Africa Rising Music Conference because of the benefits it brings to the music industry.”
Another insightful discussion on the evolving role of a manager in today’s fast-paced and constantly changing music business landscape was covered under the topic Artist-Manager Collaboration: Key to Music Industry Success. International Music Managers Forum director of innovation and education Jake Beaumont-Nesbitt, who was on the panel, said: “Speaking with young managers from Zambia and South Africa, we learned how they are building brands for their artists and reinventing the business model to drive exciting new revenue streams.”
Other notable speakers at the conference included Shiba Melissa Mazaza (Mount Makeda/SA), Choolwe Chibomba (TIMEDIA/Zambia), Ralph Boege (Paradise Worldwide/SA), Mangaliso Mthembu (Ncube Incorporated Attorneys/SA), Sebastian Spring (MINT/Germany), Namakau Star (Paradise Worldwide/SA), Tamara Dey (artist/SA), Bwalia Nkumbula (Zed Arts Records Ltd/Zambia) and Pfanani Lishivha (SAMPRA/SA), among other influential industry names.
A series of Pioneer DJ workshops also took place, where participants learned how to deejay on the spot by experts. Additionally, aspiring DJs were taught how to improve their revenue opportunities during the two-day workshop, which was held in partnership with Bridges for Music.
Showcases
Through the showcases, South African and Zambian artists managed to establish relationships with an eye towards collaborations and international deals.
Among the acts that performed were Bholoja (Swaziland), Aka Kelzz (Germany), Venior (Finland), The Planetoids (Germany), Namakau Star (SA), Natasha Chansa (Zambia) and Yolophonik (SA). Others are South African amapiano artist Boohle, who was joined by local electronic acts Deep Aztec, Chronicle Deep, Black Villain, Rose Bonica and DJ Kmat, as well as El Mukuka (Zambia), ALBI X (Germany) and Megatronic (UK/UAE).
Megatronic said: “ARMC was an incredible and very beautiful experience. I am feeling very privileged and lucky to witness this level of original talent.”
Founded in 2018 by female creatives SJ Nicholson, Sharon Ramoshaba, DJ La Vita, Jules Spielmann and Namakau Star, this year’s edition continued its mission of empowering and creating bridges between creative artists and music executives so they can successfully move into the international space while offering valuable insights and connections to international stakeholders who are interested in working and understanding the African market.
“We had a delegation of over 20 international executives and artists from Europe,” Nicholson said. “ARMC has once again proved building bridges is possible when uniting communities and cultures. The Berlin Music Commission and the Music Board made this international interaction possible by bringing over artists and delegates from Germany. From an African perspective, we hosted the Zambian delegation for the very first time and 10 Zambian executives travelled here to talk about the state of their music economy and to establish new connections.”
Namakau Star added: “The energy and space at this year’s ARMC was amped-up and super warm. It was great seeing industry professionals coming together, we received a lot of great responses. There was a lot of learning and so many people felt represented.” Additionally, the delegates visited Soweto to learn about opportunities and barriers faced by local artists.
At the prestigious Marabi Club, the Africa Rising Music Conference concluded with a remarkable grand finale. Attendees came together to support the Bridges for Music Academy, raising an impressive sum of 300,000 Rand. Esteemed musician Zakes Bantwini, an early supporter of ARMC, graced the evening, signifying a full-circle moment. These funds will contribute to the growth and development of the Bridges for Music Academy, fostering the next generation of musical talent.
The Africa Rising Music Conference 2023 embodied the spirit of unity, collaboration, and empowerment within the global music industry. With its successful conclusion, the conference has once again proven that building bridges is possible when communities and cultures come together.
Save the Date for ARMC 24: May 28th and 29th, 2024
Mark your calendars! The highly anticipated ARMC 24 is set to take place on May 28th and 29th, 2024, promising another remarkable gathering of industry professionals, artists, and fans.
World News
Major step in malaria prevention as three West African countries roll out vaccine
In a significant step forward for malaria prevention in Africa, three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—today launched a large-scale rollout of the life-saving malaria vaccine targeting millions of children across the three West African nations. The vaccine rollout, announced on World Malaria Day, seeks to further scale up vaccine deployment in the African region.
Today’s launch brings to eight the number of countries on the continent to offer the malaria vaccine as part of the childhood immunization programmes, extending access to more comprehensive malaria prevention. Several of the more than 30 countries in the African region that have expressed interest in the vaccine are scheduled to roll it out in the next year through support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as efforts continue to widen its deployment in the region in coordination with other prevention measures such as long-lasting insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
Benin, which received 215 900 doses, has added the malaria vaccine to its Expanded Programme on Immunization. The malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from around 5 months of age.
“The introduction of the malaria vaccine in the Expanded Programme on Immunization for our children is a major step forward in the fight against this scourge. I would like to reassure that the malaria vaccines are safe and effective and contribute to the protection of our children against this serious and fatal diseases,” said Prof Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health of Benin.
In Liberia, the vaccine was launched in the southern Rivercess County and will be rolled out afterwards in five other counties which have high malaria burden. At least 45 000 children are expected to benefit from the 112 000 doses of the available vaccine.
“For far too long, malaria has stolen the laughter and dreams of our children. But today, with this vaccine and the unwavering commitment of our communities, healthcare workers and our partners, including Gavi, UNICEF and WHO, we break the chain. We have a powerful tool that will protect them from this devastating illness and related deaths, ensuring their right to health and a brighter future. Let’s end malaria in Liberia and pave the way for a healthier, more just society,” said Dr Louise Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health.
Two safe and effective vaccines — RTS,S and R21 — recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control. A pilot malaria vaccine programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reached over 2 million children from 2019 to 2023, showing a significant reduction in malaria illness and a 13% drop in overall child mortality and substantial reductions in hospitalizations.
In Sierra Leone, the first doses were administered to children at a health centre in Western Area Rural where the authorities kicked off the rollout of 550 000 vaccine doses. The vaccine will then be delivered in health facilities nationwide.
“With the new, safe and efficacious malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease. In combination with insecticide-treated nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection,” said Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone.
Malaria remains a huge health challenge in the African region, which is home to 11 countries that carry approximately 70% of the global burden of malaria. The region accounted for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of all malaria deaths in 2022, according to the World Malaria Report.
“The African region is taking positive steps in scaling up the rollout of the malaria vaccine – a game-changer in our fight against this deadly disease,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Working with our partners, we’re committed to supporting the ongoing efforts to protect, save the lives of young children and lower the malaria burden in the region.”
Aurelia Nguyen, Chief Programme Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, noted: “Today we celebrate more children gaining access to a new lifesaving tool to fight one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. This introduction of malaria vaccines into routine programmes in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone alongside other proven interventions will help save lives and offer relief to families, communities and hard-pressed health systems.”
Progress against malaria has stalled in these high-burden African countries since 2017 due to factors including climate change, humanitarian crises, low access to and insufficient quality of health services, gender-related barriers, biological threats such as insecticide and drug resistance and global economic crises. Fragile health systems and critical gaps in data and surveillance have compounded the challenge.
To put malaria progress back on track, WHO recommends robust commitment to malaria responses at all levels, particularly in high-burden countries; greater domestic and international funding; science and data-driven malaria responses; urgent action on the health impacts of climate change; harnessing research and innovation; as well as strong partnerships for coordinated responses. WHO is also calling attention to addressing delays in malaria programme implementation.
World News
Kid Cudi cancels tour after breaking foot at Coachella
Kid Cudi has been forced to cancel his tour after breaking his foot at Coachella over the weekend. During the fest’s Weekend Two on Sunday night, the rapper went to the hospital with a broken foot after jumping off the stage at the Sahara Tent. (more…)
World News
The Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes
The Canadian actor, director, screenwriter and producer Xavier Dolan will be the President of the Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes. He will be joined by French-Senegalese screenwriter and director Maïmouna Doucouré, Moroccan director, screenwriter and producer Asmae El Moudir, German-Luxembourg actress Vicky Krieps, and American film critic, director, and writer Todd McCarthy. They will be in charge of awarding prizes for the Un Certain Regard section, which showcases art and discovery films by young auteurs.
This year, 18 films have been selected, including 8 first films. The 2023 Un Certain Regard top prize went to director Molly Manning Walker’s debut feature How to Have Sex.
When the light breaks by Rúnar Rúnarsson will open the Un Certain Regard section on Wednesday May 15, 2024.
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World News
Kanye West reportedly planning to launch porn studio
World News
Additions to the selection of the 77th Festival de Cannes
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