Call for entries: Music videos for new Kenyan TV station

VIPI says it seeks to promote and highlight Kenya’s thriving music industry, help develop the careers of local artists and provide young Kenyas with access to a diversity of homegrown talent.

“Its content reflects a series of content silos that appeals directly to the interests and passion points of young people, reflecting the broadest range and depth of everyday cultures throughout Kenya,” a press statement says. “This includes music, other creative arts, pop culture, sport, entertainment, youth business aspiration and technology.

The station said it would offer various marketing opportunities for potential clients.

“VIPI is the channel whose only task is to promote your content and create a market, following and potential revenue for your art,” the statement reads. “VIPI will develop unique and innovative advertising and sponsorship opportunities, providing our clients with strong brand-focused ideas and activations that go beyond the traditional ‘spot/package’ advertising model.”

The launch of VIPI is a significant milestone for the local music industry, with the announcement of the new TV channel coming three months after Kenyan musicians took to social media under the hashtag #PlayKeMusic to lament the lack of airplay of Kenyan music on radio and TV stations.

The artists' complaints were centred around Kenyan broadcast media playing Nigerian and Tanzanian music as opposed to giving priority to local compositions.

Musicians can submit their videos to VIPI at content@vipikenya.tv.