Analysis : leveraging technology for discoverability of music business professionals in Africa
Technology has revolutionized the way musical artists are discovered worldwide, but what about other professionals in the music industry? Producers, publicists, event organizers, and other key players still face challenges in gaining the recognition they deserve. This article explores how technological innovations and dedicated platforms like Ckrowd can enhance their visibility and support the growth of the African music industry.
By Adebayo Adegbite Content Development and Strategy at CkrowdAfrica
There is no doubt that in the last decade, technology has helped a lot in the discoverability of
music artistes. Thanks to music streaming platforms, social media, and digital platforms, new
musicians and artistes can put their work out and gain social value and financial rewards from
their creativity. These assets have also allowed them to discoverable in the global spaces and
open to collaborations from other artistes from all around the world.
However as much as music artistes have gotten value for their creativity, the bulk of the
creative and business professionals who create value out of that creativity, like the music
producers, the A&Rs, the publicists, digital marketers, and music event organizers, (to
mention a few) have been unable to get similar value for their work in helping the creatives
bring their vision to reality.
Fortunately, in the last few years, there is a rising consciousness among African music industry
professionals on the need to make music professionals in Africa more discoverable across the
world. Through music professional networks like Arts Connect Africa and music events like
Visa For Music African music professionals are coming together to chart a new course for
professionals in the African music industry
This week Our CEO Olukayode Adebayo will be attending The Rencontres Musicales Africaines (REMA) in Ouagadogou, Burkina Faso. This year’s edition of REMA will be the 6th edition, and like the previous five editions, it will focus on emerging trends in the African music business Given how much impact technology has dramatically altered the way professionals across music industries interact and collaborate, our interest, and the focus point of Olukayode’s engagement at REMA will be how technological solutions can provide music business professionals with spaces to showcase their expertise and connect with artists, producers, and other stakeholders. especially how platforms like Ckrowd act as digital portfolios, enabling professionals to upload their work, list their services, and network globally.
Worthy of note is how Ckrowd has been able to integrate search optimization for African
regions, allowing more nuanced, location-specific discoverability. At Ckrowd, we are
integrating databases of African music professionals on platforms with built-in algorithms to
help narrow searches for artists looking for producers, promoters, or managers in a specific
city or region within Africa.
CkrowdAfrica’s presence at REMA is supporting the belief that African music professionals can continue to leverage this digital shift by participating in or organizing virtual showcases,
workshops, and conferences. We believe that music meetings like REMA can open the door to international audiences and collaborators who may have been previously inaccessible due to geographic or financial barriers. Professionals in the music industry can build their networks
through events like REMA and VFM, when paired with efficient digital marketing strategies,
increase the global visibility of African music business professionals.