Bringing the beat home: African musicians push for local music production
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This week on Spotlight on Africa, we explore the growing movement among African musicians to produce their music on home soil rather than relying on studios and opportunities abroad, particularly in Europe.
For decades, many African artists have found that success often hinges on recording, producing, and touring overseas. However, a new generation of musicians is working to shift this dynamic, striving to develop a sustainable music industry within Africa while also supporting fellow artists in doing the same.
The conversation around this shift was a key focus at the AfriCapitales festival in Paris on 28 March.
At the event, academics from the revue Volume! presented their research on global phonographic production, examining how major recording hubs have historically shaped the music industry.
A roundtable discussion brought together scholars and professionals from Africa’s music sector to explore how digital technology and evolving industry structures are reshaping the landscape.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected yet diversely globalised, these discussions underscored the potential for African artists to reclaim their creative processes and redefine the future of music production on the continent.
Our first guest to expand on the research is the Cameroonian singer songwriter Blick Bassy.
Cameroon's Blick Bassy seeks to unite new generation of African music makers
Drawing on his experience as an African artist who has found international success, Bassy put in place a festival in Cameroon for other young music makers. The first edition took place in November 2024.
Billed as the first festival in Africa to offer training in production, Africa Prod Fest aims to encourage those starting out in the music industry to move forward with their own projects.
"The idea of the festival in Cameroon came from the process I went through myself to understand the structures of the music business," Bassy told RFI. "And now I would like to share this experience with my people in Africa."
You will also hear from the sound engineer Bey-K, who is part of the organisation of the Jambulance, a moving recording studio traveling between Senegal and Guinea, and from the Nigeria singer Cill.
Episode mixed by Erwan Rome.
Spotlight on Africa is produced by Radio France Internationale's English language service.
For decades, many African artists have found that success often hinges on recording, producing, and touring overseas. However, a new generation of musicians is working to shift this dynamic, striving to develop a sustainable music industry within Africa while also supporting fellow artists in doing the same.
The conversation around this shift was a key focus at the AfriCapitales festival in Paris on 28 March.
At the event, academics from the revue Volume! presented their research on global phonographic production, examining how major recording hubs have historically shaped the music industry.
A roundtable discussion brought together scholars and professionals from Africa’s music sector to explore how digital technology and evolving industry structures are reshaping the landscape.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected yet diversely globalised, these discussions underscored the potential for African artists to reclaim their creative processes and redefine the future of music production on the continent.
Our first guest to expand on the research is the Cameroonian singer songwriter Blick Bassy.
Cameroon's Blick Bassy seeks to unite new generation of African music makers
Drawing on his experience as an African artist who has found international success, Bassy put in place a festival in Cameroon for other young music makers. The first edition took place in November 2024.
Billed as the first festival in Africa to offer training in production, Africa Prod Fest aims to encourage those starting out in the music industry to move forward with their own projects.
"The idea of the festival in Cameroon came from the process I went through myself to understand the structures of the music business," Bassy told RFI. "And now I would like to share this experience with my people in Africa."
You will also hear from the sound engineer Bey-K, who is part of the organisation of the Jambulance, a moving recording studio traveling between Senegal and Guinea, and from the Nigeria singer Cill.
Episode mixed by Erwan Rome.
Spotlight on Africa is produced by Radio France Internationale's English language service.