Africa Rising Music Conference

THE AFRICA RISING MUSIC CONFERENCE IS BACK

This year’s edition of the Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) is back bigger and better. Taking place over two days, the 24th and 25th of May, in Johannesburg, the women-led, executive-focused conference promises to be a game-changer for African music and its connection to the European market.

ARMC 22 Themes:
– Women’s Voices: Amplifying them in the Music Business
– Building Bridges: Exchange between Africa & the World
– Independent Africa: Developing, Understanding and Creating new opportunities

This unique conference will feature a mix of local and international delegates, across the hip hop and electronic music industries and the Afro-Euro connection both of these chart-topping genres provide.

Built with a top-tier structure, the aim of ARMC’s highly focused program is to empower and enable South African-based executives to successfully move into the international space and provide valuable insights and connections for international stakeholders looking to work and understand the African market.

Speakers include: Siya Metane of SlikourOnLife, who is well-known in the music industry as Slikour and has a heart for music and a head for business; DJ Sabby host of the biggest show on MetroFM the Top30; DJ, Drums Radio personality Da Kruk; Jade Kelly Wilson of Breakroom Africa (AudioMack Ambassador); Shannon Valstar General Manager at Steyn Entertainment (Rocking The Daisies) and Ninel Musson of VTH Session speaking on Music, Creative Content and Tech Strategist

ARMC, with speakers from the upper echelon of the music conference community, will endeavour to unpack Africa’s market share and, in doing so, empower stakeholders with access to potentially explosive African markets. This will be done through highly focused sessions hosted by speakers with uniquely valuable insights from Africa and beyond, concentrating on a range of factors contributing to the growth of the global industry at large.

With the primary territory of focus being The Netherlands, the conference’s International showcasing partner is The Dutch Music Export who will be supporting 15 Dutch music professionals to participate in a trade delegation at the conference, as well as bring over 4 Dutch Hip Hop / RnB artists to perform at the two live showcase events being hosted by the conference.

As part of its commitment to developing the market, ARMC sealed a 3-year partnership with MTN’s Bushfire Festival creating a synergy that aims to lay the foundation for an annual opportunity to meet, engage, showcase and activate a dynamic range of topics and outputs.

Founded by long term advocate of the African music industry, Sarah Jane Nicholson, ARMC has a powerful lineup of female ambassadors, each bringing their unique insight and skill set to the event.

Tumi Mogapi (South Africa) Women In Music South Africa
Anyiko Owoko (Kenya) Anyiko PR
Dieuwertje Heuvelings (The Netherlands) – ADE BEATS / Dutch Music Export
Money Ba Doo (South Africa) Artist / Songwriter
JAMIIE (DE) Artist, Producer, Afrohouse Beatport Curator

“We are positive that this exchange will help accelerate the development of the South African and African music market by developing real expertise that can compete on a global scale.”Says Sarah Jane Nicholson

“Limitations of international travel due to the pandemic have weakened the African-European connections and hampered various activities. ARMC is vital in reinforcing the mutually beneficial connections between the industry in Africa and Europe and it’s doing this by creating a meeting point for various music executives and professionals to exchange knowledge, contacts and cutting edge ideas.” Comments Anyiko Owoko

Day 2 ARMC by Night Electronic Showcase:

Location: Hallmark House
Jamiie (Germany) – Berlin-based German/Nigerian producer aiming to cross borders in electronic music, seeking to connect her audience through her atmospheric sets.
Blindsmyth (Germany) – Freelance artist/producer/DJ that fosters voyages through soundscapes and experimental pop music.
MoBlack (Italy) – Prominent figure in the Afro House scene, helped the genre gain prominence by laying foundations and pushing boundaries.
Thandi Draai (South Africa) – Fast emerging producer/songwriter/vocalist/DJ with an ongoing and developing artistry that has already been recognized locally and internationally.
MegaBlast (Austria) – With his unique take on house music with elements of a variety of genres, his releases are felt throughout the electronic music scene with his musical styles and love for different genres.

Partners: Dutch Music Export, Women in Music South Africa, Bushfire Festival, Rocking The Daisies Festival, Paradise Worldwide, Austrian Music Export & SAMRO

Attendance for this exclusive conference is limited.