Open call: Akinyemilaw Songwriting Contest

Founded by Nigerian lawyer and entrepreneur Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, the competition celebrates creativity, passion and musical talent, offering participants a platform to share their unique voices and connect with a wider audience.

The competition will award cash prizes of $4 000 for first place, $750 for second place, and $250 for third place. Additionally, musical equipment retailer Showgear is giving away instruments valued at $1 000.

Previous winners of the competition include Mike Frost, King Marky Moore and Genie KG among others.

Interested participants must register here by 15 December.

How to enter

• Follow @talsongcontest on Instagram.
• Create an original 90-second song with a tempo between 108 and 113 BPM, including a chorus and verse.
• Title the song ‘Come to My Party!’ in any genre indigenous to Africa.
• Post the video on Instagram and tag the contest using the official hashtag #talsongcontest2024 in the caption.
• Upload the song and submit the streaming link via the link in the contest bio.

Judging process and winners’ announcements

• All entries will be screened by three independent and respected A&R professionals from the music industry to select 10 finalists.
• The final stage involves choosing the Top 3 from these 10 finalists.

Note: All entries will be judged based on the overall merit of the songs, including production, lyrics, and melody.

Vew the original call here.