ACCES 2023 to explore artist-manager dynamics

The session will feature Vth Season co-founder Raphael Benza (South Africa), All Africa Music Awards associate producer Victoria Nkong (Nigeria), musician Damian Soul (Tanzania), Cyper Produktion director Percy Yip Tong (Mauritius) and earGROUND founder Plot Mhako (Zimbabwe). Their collective expertise will be directed towards tackling how talent managers and labels contribute to businesses’ long-term success in Africa’s music industries.

The discussion promises to take a deep dive into the rapidly evolving roles in production, management and distribution, particularly within the context of an increasingly digitised and globalised music industry. It will draw attention to what music creators need to do to empower themselves to assume greater control over their careers.

Benza boasts more than 15 years of experience and has been a consistent driver of progress in an industry characterised by rapid change. Vth Season, the music entertainment agency he established in 2011, has become the home of some of Africa’s most celebrated artists, including Ami Faku, Manu WorldStar and the late AKA.

Victoria Nkong, who recently spoke to Music In Africa about her views on the African music industry, is a multilingual entertainment consultant, music business executive, and events and TV producer with nearly two decades of experience. Her career also encompasses talent management, public speaking and PR consulting.

Damian Soul has graced the East African music scene with his soulful vocals and diverse musical styles, including Afro-soul, Afro-jazz, R&B and Afro-bongo flavour fusion. Beyond his music, he actively engages in social and community development initiatives, using his art to inspire positive change.

Percy Yip Tong, who gained experience in cultural organisations across Europe, returned to Mauritius in 1986 to establish Cyper Produktion. His commitment has been primarily focused on promoting artists from Mauritius and neighbouring islands in the South-West Indian Ocean. His role extends to managing groups not only from Mauritius but also from Madagascar, the Comoros, Mozambique, Kenya and Ghana, regularly taking them on international tours.

Plot Mhako, an award-winning music and arts journalist, is the creative director and founder of several ground-breaking initiatives within Zimbabwe’s creative industry. Renowned for his unwavering support of musicians’ careers, his innovative work has provided Zimbabwe’s youth with opportunities to professionalise and monetise their artistic talents.

Register for ACCES 2023 here. African delegates register for free.

View the full conference programme here.

About ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African trade show for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe. ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a pan-African non-profit organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut, the Tanzanian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, the National Arts Council of Tanzania (BASATA) and Alliance Française.

Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.