BridgeAfric hosted global music stars in Lagos for Showbiz101, a four-day workshop and camp that birthed powerful collaborations.
By Eva Irewole
Barely one year after launching itself into African music consciousness, BridgeAfric has scored a major goal—bringing artistes and music producers from different countries to converge on Lagos for a four-day intellectual and creative soiree designed to uplift the standard of music across the continent and deepen collaborations.
The Mike Adenuga Centre (Alliance Française), venue of the creative confab last month, was filled with palpable creative energy. The roll call of stars was impressive.
They included Rexxie from Nigeria, Mix Master Garzy from Ghana, Shado Chris from Ivory Coast, Del B, Banger and DJ Neptune from Nigeria.
Others were Twinsbeatz, Juma Jux, Didi B and Himra from Ivory Coast, Erin Ross and EVK from America, Suspect 95 from Ivory Coast, Bucci and Zani Challe from Malawi, DJ Moh Green from France/Algeria, Sonia Aimy from Canada, and a number of emerging talents.
“We’re looking forward to the release of the EP and the creative partnerships it birthed,” – Victoria Nkong, President, BridgeAfric
They gathered for the Showbiz101 Global Workshop and Music Creation Camp which BridgeAfric hosted in collaboration with the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
It was a period dedicated to learning, fostering collaborations, and building networks among top music business leaders, celebrities, business executives, and creative industry professionals.
The event began with a comprehensive workshop hosted by Juliet Ibrahim and Nigerian comedian Phronesis. It brought together a diverse array of creative industry professionals representing various regions of Africa, Europe, America, and Canada.
Workshop topics included Show versus Business, where speakers delved into the business of music, structure and team formation; Your Art versus Your Brand, where brand experts discussed how to build a brand attractive to others; and sessions on publishing, music distribution, copyright, and intellectual property, where professionals shared insights on income streams and professional enrolment.
There was also Wealth Wellness, a discussion on how artistes can build financially healthy careers while maintaining work/life balance to handle the pressures of stardom.
Speakers included Bizzle Osikoya of The Plug, Adaora Mbelu of Lumination Global Network, Zimbabwean-South African rapper Nadia Nakai, Tanzanian artiste Juma Jux, Ivorian rapper Didi B, MTN Brand Manager Osaze Ebueku, DJ Neptune, Ivorian hip-hop artiste Suspect 95, Wendy Harawa, ROL Records President Daphne Montgomery, Eric Bellamy of Live Nation France, Freddy Daddy from Cameroon, among others.
After the workshop, artistes entered a three-day music production camp, where top music stars and producers worked together in the studio to create a global EP featuring songs developed at the camp.
Victoria Nkong, the bilingual President of BridgeAfric, said the event was a genuine embodiment of the global creative industry converging in one location.
She described the smooth collaborative efforts, networking activities, and new relationships formed as truly invigorating.
She added that BridgeAfric was looking forward to the release of the EP and the exploration of the musical collaborations developed during the unique gathering.
