The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFRIMA

  • Femi Kuti, Wizkid, Seyi Shay, others for AFRIMA 2017

    Femi Kuti, Wizkid, Seyi Shay, others for AFRIMA 2017

    Over 700 African superstars as confirmed by the African Union Commission, AUC and the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) will be attending the main events of AFRIMA 2017 scheduled to hold in November.

    The event will feature the AFRIMA Music Village, where over 40 music artistes will be performing live.

    Other activities are The Africa Music Business Roundtable, AMBR, (November 10), and the Main Awards Ceremony (November 12) at 4PM at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Orgainsers say that music executives and music business brands will engage, brainstorm and network at the Africa Music Roundtable. The Africa Music Roundtable with the theme, ‘Digital Takeover, Shaping the Future of African Music’, will bring together top international music brands, label executives and music artistes to chart a continental strategy for the African music in the digital age.

    The annual AFRIMA Awards is in partnership with the African Union to foster economic development and integration on the continent while showcasing the cultural heritage of Africa to the rest of the world. The awards platform achieves this by celebrating and rewarding old and young music talents of African origin. Lagos State is the official host city of AFRIMA 2017 as appointed by the African Union after hosting a successful 2016 edition.

    Salif Keita, Fally Ipupa, Femi Kuti, Wizkid, Young Paris, Diamond Platnumz, Sheyi Shay, Bussine, Bebe Cool, 2Baba, Vanessa Mdee, Nasty C, Sarkodie, Fnaire, Eddy Kenzo, Ibitssam Tiskat, Emtee and over 700 African Superstars to Converge in Lagos for AFRIMA 2017

    Among the stars expected to grace the event are Salif Keita (Mali), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Femi Kuti (Nigeria), Wizkid (Nigeria), Young Paris (DRC), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Sheyi Shey (Nigeria), Bussine (Gabon), Bebe Cool (Uganda), 2Baba (Nigeria), Venessa Mdee (Tanzania), Sheyi Shay (Nigeria), Nasty C (South Africa), Sarkodie (Ghana), Fnaire (Morroco), Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Ibitssam Tiskat (Morocco), Emtee (South Africa).

  • AU, AFRIMA unveil exciting events calendar

    AU, AFRIMA unveil exciting events calendar

    With the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) scheduled for Friday, November 10 and Sunday, November 12 in Lagos, The African Union Commission, AUC, and AFRIMA’s international committee, have unveiled an array of activities and performers.

    Some of the events include the Africa Music Business Roundtable (AMBR) on November 10 which is a platform for African music executives, investors and artistes to chart a course for development towards the nurturing and packaging of music in a way that creates jobs and reflects positively on the GDP of the continent.

    International and African music brands and organisations will also showcase products and services at the 2017 AMBR exhibition. Some of the speakers billed for the Roundtable are General Manager, Sony Music, West Africa; Micheal Ugwu; Board Chairman of the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, South Africa; Dr Sipho Sithole, and Head of Public Relations and Special Projects, Universal Music; Ms Hadja Kobele.

    Also scheduled for Friday, November 10 is the Africa Music Village, an open music festival set to showcase live performances of over 40 African music superstars. The all-night event will feature performances from Nigerian pop-legend, 2Baba, Seyi Shay, Bongo-flava King, Diamond Platnumz, and a host of others.

    The main award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 12 and will feature live performances and television broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations around the world.

    The annual AFRIMA is organised in partnership with the African Union to foster economic development and integration on the continent while showcasing the cultural heritage of Africa to the rest of the world. The awards platform achieves this by celebrating and rewarding the old and young music talents of African origin.

  • AU grants Nigeria AFRIMA hosting right

    The African Union (AU) has awarded the hosting right for the Pan African Music Initiative, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), to Nigeria for another three years (2017-2019).

    A statement by Mr Segun Adeyemi, Special Adviser to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Lagos yesterday, said the hosting right was given to the country following its successful hosting of the 2014 2016 editions.

    He said the award of the hosting right was conveyed in a letter written the minister by the Commissioner of Social Affairs at the AU Commission, Mrs Amira Elfadil.

    Mohammed said the AU’s commissioner commended the growth and inclusiveness of AFRIMA by reaching out to ‘many musicians, music producers and creative arts practitioners in general’.

    He said Elfadi noted that between 2014 and 2016, during which Nigeria hosted three editions of AFRIMA, it “has become a very crucial event and movement of African musicians.’’

    The minister said the AU’s commissioner also noted that AFRIMA “allows them to establish synergies and work towards the development of Africa’s music and promotion of music in the continent and in the international arena.

    “Based on this and other factors such as the willingness to create value and deepen the brand equity not only for Nigerians but also for Africans, the AU returned the hosting right of AFRIMA to Nigeria’’.

    He said that government’s desire to retain the right was informed by the enthusiasm and sense of duty with which Nigerians embraced AFRIMA coupled with the prevailing international confidence in the present administration.

    He said: “The African Union’s gracious concession to our request is beneficial for the creative sector in Nigeria and across Africa.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria is calling on state governments and corporate Nigeria to partner with it and the African Union in ensuring a successful hosting of AFRIMA 2017 which will bring immense socio-economic benefits to the selected host city,’’ he said.

    Mohammed disclosed that the 2017 edition of AFRIMA is scheduled to hold from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12.

    Quoting the organiser of the event, the minister said that it would present to the continent a world-class programme that included activities such as the Africa Music Business Round Table on Nov. 10.

    The round table would bring together big music brands, music producers and intellectual property experts to discuss the needed networks and infrastructure for an expanding economically-vibrant music industry in Africa.

    “Other events are the AFRIMA Music Village: an evening of a non-stop open music festival of live performances from the African stars and nominees, with an expected audience of 40,000 people.

    “The main Awards ceremony on November 12 will present a star-studded and world-class event with live performances and television broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations around the world.’’

  • AFRIMA heads to Moshito Music Conference

    AFRIMA heads to Moshito Music Conference

    The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, is set to feature at the 2017 Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    To be held from September 6 to 9 at the Main Auditorium, New Music Factory, the conference and exhibition aims to connect business and music to promote culture and economic growth

    Representing AFRIMA at the 14th edition of the conference is Associate Producer, AFRIMA, Ms. Adenrele Niyi who will be speaking during the plenary session under the theme, “Scooping that Award: The Art of Hustle”.

    Chairperson of Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, Dr. Sipho Sithole, explained that the first-rate South African music event brings together music industry executives, musicians, festival promoters, booking agents, music managers and exhibitors from over 16 international markets to collaborate and have a conversation on the structure and systems in the music industry in Africa.

    Niyi is expected to share insights with the panel and participants on her experience and expertise gleaned from years of project managing and producing the continent’s biggest awards event. Over 70 other panelists would also help navigate the discourses in its breakaway sessions, plenaries and workshops.

    Speaking about the scheduled participation of AFRIMA at the conference, Ms. Niyi said the awards event was excited to be part of Moshito 2017.

    “We can’t be more hyped about the opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking as presented on the conference platform. But more importantly, the internal revolution conversations like these stir as aftermath for Africa’s music and culture landscape are the real gains. Simply put, in AFRIMA we subscribe to an open flow of dialogue among every stakeholder: the creators, the market, the policy makers and trend determinants”. The conference is aimed at connecting business and music to promote culture and economic growth,” she said.

    Moshito 2017 will open with a gala night and concert, which will be followed by two days of conferencing and exhibition. There will also be the ‘Rhythm of the Ancients Concert’ at the Soweto Theatre.

  • AFRIMA unveils 2017 nominees

    •As African Union lauds jurors

    The 13-man Jury of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, on Tuesday, unveiled the nominees list for the 2017 edition.

    The event which held at the Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, had officials of the African Union Commission, past AFRIMA winners and nominees  in attendance.

    The Best Female Artistes and Best Male Artistes of the five regions have been released while the nominees in the continental categories will be announced on Friday, August 11, 2017.

    Ms Angela Martins, Head, Culture Division, African Union Commission, AUC, noted that the adjudication process was a comprehensive and superb work of the jurors.

    She said: “This robust submission this year clearly shows the appreciation and recognition of the music awards.’’

    Martins noted that the AUC is geared towards investing in the youth by involving them in the African Union’s 2063 Agenda, which intends to make the youth evolve a desire and expertise in the needed developmental facets of Africa in all areas. She also reiterated the AU and AFRIMA’s objectives of unity among African artistes and the need for continental integration while celebrating its rich music and heritage.

    Public voting for the nominees in the different categories of the awards is expected to open on August 21, 2017 on www.afrima.org.

    Lineup of events for AFRIMA 2017 such as Music Village and the AFRIMA Music Business Summit are slated for November 10-12, 2017 and will be broadcast across 84 countries around the world.

  • Olisa Adibua joins AFRIMA jurors

    Olisa Adibua joins AFRIMA jurors

    AHEAD of 2017 adjudication process for the annual All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Eastern, Central and Western Africa have been given new representatives on the 13-man Jury

    Five African music professionals have been appointed into the AFRIMA Academy of Jury that consists of the 13-man Jury and the 100-man College of Voters in line with the awards objective of an all-inclusive participation of African professionals in its decision–making body last week.

    Announcing the new appointees on behalf of the International Committee of AFRIMA, the Associate Producer, AFRIMA, Ms. Adenrele Niyi, revealed the restructuring of the AFRIMA Academy of Voters was transparent in adherence to AFRIMA values of FACE IT (Fairness, Authenticity, Credibility Excellence, Integrity and Transparency.

    “The selection of the new members of the AFRIMA Jury was carried out through consultations with AFRIMA Regional Directors and partners globally to ensure that the new members are qualified professionals who care deeply about Africa, and want to be pushers of change on the continent,” she said.

    The new appointees include: Mr. Charles Tabu (DRC), David Tayorault (Cote d’Ivoire) and Joett (Tanzania) while Olisa Adibua (Nigeria) is the fourth Juror joining the team and representing Western Africa.

    Adibua is a veteran media and music practitioner bringing on board the jury his wealth of experience in music and industry practice on reformed continental and international platforms.

    In addition, Ms. Hadja Kobele, a US-based Guinean music professional who is the Head of Public Relations and Special Projects at Universal Music Africa/Island Africa, has been appointed the AFRIMA Juror representing the Diaspora (North America).

    The AFRIMA Jury is made of 13 members; two persons from each region in Africa; a representative each of the African Diaspora in Europe and North America respectively and a representative of the African Union Commission.

  • AFRIMA receives 4,816 entries for 2017

    AFRIMA receives 4,816 entries for 2017

    • Eastern Africa has highest entries

    Organisaers of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have announced a large number of entries for the 2017 edition of the award.

    At the close of the two-month entry submission process on Monday, July 17 which raked in close to 5,000 from African music artistes and music professionals, organisers noted that this edition is on its way to becoming an epoch-making awards event.

    “The African Union and the International Committee of AFRIMA had opened the 2017 AFRIMA Call for Entries on May 8 giving the opportunity to African music artistes, record producers, songwriters, video directors and music journalists to enter their qualified works on the AFRIMA website www.afrima.org and the awards social media platforms.

    “The overwhelming response to this call putting the total number of entries received for 2017 at 4,816 is an astronomical increase from the 2,714 number of entries received in 2016 which amounts to a whopping 77.25% increase compared to last year. The analysis reveals the regions with the highest entries as Eastern Africa, with 47% of the total entries and Western Africa, with 30%. This immense progress is a positive marker and has elicited satisfaction from the African Union, the International Committee of AFRIMA, the Regional and Country Directors of AFRIMA, the statement reads.

    Expressing excitement at the high number of entries in 2017, the AFRIMA International Advisor and member of the International Committee, Mr. Rikki Stein stated: “This is tremendous news, indicative of an increasingly healthy music industry across Africa, particularly from a creative perspective.

    Rikki Stein, former friend and Manager to African music legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

    “AFRIMA is plugged in to the aspirations of the African continent, providing a platform for excellence in the field of music and a source of inspiration and encouragement for its associated fields of endeavour; songwriters, producers, sound engineers, distributors, publicists, marketers, photographers, videographers, stylists, journalists, bloggers, DJs and on and on.”

    The former friend and Manager to African music legend, Fela  Anikulapo Kuti also added that,

    “As one by one, African artists are making their mark in the wider world, acting as ambassadors of their countries and their culture, the eyes and ears of that wider world are opening and turning towards Africa as the source of much more than entertainment. In its finest form, as will be evident amongst AFRIMA nominees and eventual winners, they provide an antidote to negativity and cynicism, offering a healing form for ailments of heart and spirit; what Fela used to call ‘The Underground Spiritual Game’.

    To follow the close of entry submission is the screening and adjudication processes from July 18 to July 28 and August 2 to August 8 respectively. The 13-man AFRIMA Jury will review the 4,816 entries to determine the works of African talents that are adjudged on merit to be on the AFRIMA 2017 Nominees List.

    In partnership with the African Union, AFRIMA is centred on the promotion and marketing of African music and is by far the largest gathering of such magnitude of stakeholders in Africa. The biggest awards event on the continent packs exciting activities into its annual events calendar including the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Roundtable and the AFRIMA Host City Tour.

    The event is scheduled to hold from November 9 to12 with a live broadcast to 84 countries across the world.

  • Entries besiege AFRIMA 2017

    ORGANISERS of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, have announced that nearly 5,000 entries from African music artistes and music professionals were submitted for this year’s edition of the Awards.

    The overwhelming response, according to to this call putting the total number of entries received for 2017 at 4,816 is an astronomical increase from the 2,714 number of entries received in 2016 which amounts to 77.25% increase compared to last year.

    Analysis reveals the regions with the highest entries as Eastern Africa, with 47% of the total entries and Western Africa, with 30%.

    Expressing his excitement at the high number of entries in 2017, the AFRIMA International Advisor and member of the International Committee, Mr. Rikki Stein stated that it is indicative of an increasingly healthy music industry across Africa, particularly from a creative perspective.

    “AFRIMA is plugged in to the aspirations of the African continent, providing a platform for excellence in the field of music and a source of inspiration and encouragement for its associated fields of endeavour; songwriters, producers, sound engineers, distributors, publicists, marketers, photographers, videographers, stylists, journalists, bloggers, DJs and on and on,” he said.

    The former friend and Manager to African music legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti also added that, “As one by one, African artists are making their mark in the wider world, acting as ambassadors of their countries and their culture, the eyes and ears of that wider world are opening and turning towards Africa as the source of much more than entertainment.

    To follow the close of entry submission is the screening and adjudication processes from July 18 to July 28 and August 2 to August 8 respectively. The 13-man AFRIMA Jury will review the 4,816 entries to determine the works of African talents that are adjudged on merit to be on the AFRIMA 2017 Nominees List.

  • AFRIMA receives 4,816 entries for 2017 awards – Official

    AFRIMA receives 4,816 entries for 2017 awards – Official

    The All Africa Music Awards, (AFRIMA) received 4,816 entries from African music artists and professionals for the 2017 edition of the awards at the close of the two-month entry submission process on Monday.

    Mr Rikki Stein, AFRIMA International Advisor and a member of the International Committee, said this in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

    He also the African Union and the International Committee of AFRIMA opened the 2017 AFRIMA call for entries on May 8.

    Stein further said screening and adjudication processes of the entries would hold from July 18 to July 28 and Aug. 2 to Aug. 8.

    He said the 13-man AFRIMA Jury would review the entries to determine the works of African talents that were adjudged on merit to be on the AFRIMA 2017 Nominees list.

    According to him, AFRIMA 2017 is scheduled to hold from Nov. 9 to Nov. 12 with a live broadcast to 84 countries across the world.

    Stein said it was a period of opportunity for African music artists, record producers, songwriters, video directors and music journalists to enter their qualified works on the AFRIMA website.

    Stein gave the website as www.afrima.org and the awards social media platforms.

    He said the response was overwhelming, adding that 4,916 entries were received for2017 higher than 2,714 entries received in 2016.

    According to him, this is a 77.25 percentage increase over last year’s entries.

    “Analysis reveals Eastern Africa regions recorded the highest entries with 47 per cent of the total entries, followed by Western Africa with 30 per cent of the entries.

    “This progress is a positive marker and it has elicited satisfaction from the African Union, the International Committee of AFRIMA as well as the Regional and Country Directors of AFRIMA.

    “This is tremendous news, indicative of an increasingly healthy music industry across Africa, particularly from a creative perspective.

    “AFRIMA is plugged into the aspirations of the African continent, providing a platform for excellence in music, a source of inspiration and encouragement for its associated fields of endeavour,’’ the advisor said.

    According to him, African artists are making marks globally, acting as good ambassadors of their countries and their culture and turning the world toward Africa as the source of entertainment.

  • AFRIMA seeks support for culture

    AFRIMA seeks support for culture

    IN line with its ideals of creating a brighter future for future generations, the International Committee of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has called on the new leadership of the African Union Commission (AUC) to forge a deeper integration of Africa through cultural exchange.

    This was contained in part of the congratulatory message from AFRIMA on the successful election of President Alpha Conde of the Republic of Guinea as the new Chairman of the African Union and Foreign Affairs Minister of Chad Republic, Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat as the Chairperson, African Union Commission.

    President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, stated: “We are pleased to receive the news of the newly-elected AUC Chairperson, His Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat and pledge our support as we foster peace and unitzv y on the continent. AFRIMA remains committed to her partnership with the leadership of the AUC to promote the pan-African agenda of integration for Africa through the instrumentality of music, culture and entertainment for prosperity for its entire people”.

    According to him, the African Union and AFRIMA share a common belief that the African creative industries such as music, film, sports, publishing, live performances and craft form a remarkably healthy branch of the global economy.

    The music, culture and entertainment industries, when properly structured and showcased, can help national economies diversify and avoid an over-dependence on limited natural resources, he said,

    Other officials were also elected during the final round of elections held on Monday, January 30, 2017, at the 28th Ordinary Session of Heads of State Summit at the AUC Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.