African acts named in YouTube Black Voices Fund Music Class of 2023

They were named alongside South Africa’s Kamo Mphela and MashBeatz, as well as British-Ghanaian DJ and producer Juls in the development programme which directly supports and mentors black artists, songwriters and producers globally.

Launched in 2020, the YouTube Black Voices Fund is a global, multi-year commitment by the company to centre and grow Black creators and artists on its platform, as well as to produce and acquire new YouTube Original programmes, focused on racial justice and Black experiences. It also forms part of a vision to present fresh narratives that emphasise the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of Black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice.

Over the programme, YouTube has directly empowered more than 500 creators and artists from across the world to support, grow and fund their channels and content development.

In all, 40 international artists, songwriters and producers were inducted into the YouTube Black Voices Fund Music Class of 2023. In the coming months, YouTube says it will work closely with these creators to help them develop their channels on its platform.

The grantrees will receive dedicated partner support and seed funding for the development of their channels as well as training and networking programmes focused on production, fan engagement and well-being.

“We are excited about the creators, musical artists and producers from Africa joining others from across the world in the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund,” YouTube’s MD, Emerging Markets, EMEA, Alex Okosi said. “The initiative is dedicated to equipping up-and-coming Black creators and artists with the resources to succeed on our platform.”

Okosi added: “We are seriously interested in the growth of the creative community in Africa. For the creators, artists, songwriters and producers that will be joining this third cohort, we will go beyond the initial training to measure our success with them over a long-term period, thereby ensuring that they achieve sustained success.” 

Last year, eight Africans  – Nigeria’s CKay, Omah Lay, P.Priime and Telz, Uganda’s Azawi as well as Major League DJz, DJ Lag and Elaine from South Africa – were named in the programme. Other African alumni of the initiative are Nigeria’s Fireboy DML, South Africa’s Sho Madjozi and Kenyan band Sauti Sol.