Artist applications for the 2nd edition of CollaboNation, Africa’s premier collaboration portal, are now open!
Founded in 2022, CollaboNation connects and unites the continent through the creation of unique cross-border and cross-genre songs. By linking countries and cultures through innovative one-of-a-kind artist collaborations, CollaboNation is designed to support artists, capacitate the regional music sector through training and mentorship, and inspire dynamic new African content creation.
Now in its second edition, CollaboNation links African countries and cultures to each other while providing a gateway to the rest of the world through innovative and exciting artist collaborations. Through this series of unique music collaborations that weave together Africa’s rich and diverse musical genres, CollaboNation inspires a creative narrative of inclusivity and social cohesion.
Objectives
- To connect and unite the African continent and the world through unique music collaborations
- To promote and support the cultural legacies of traditional African music within a modern music context
- To support South-South connections and promote intra-African arts mobility
- To mentor, upskill, and train creative industry support service and technical providers
- To further create global opportunities for African artists to reach international audiences
- To drive the growth of the African music sector
CollaboNation is unique in that it facilitates physical meetings and shared studio time for the selected artists to create new, conscious, songs. The songs are debuted in a live performance at one of Africa’s biggest multi-cultural festivals: MTN Bushfire in Eswatini, which will be held from from 31 May – 2 June 2024. The live performances are filmed for music videos to support the international release of the tracks. The creative process is documented throughout and showcased on social media.
How to Apply
Established African artists 21 years and older are invited to apply for the opportunity to collaborate with artists from another African country to record original and inspirational songs, in line with the social and environmental values of the MTN Bushfire festival.
All rights to CollaboNation songs and music videos are owned by the artists; produced and licensed by Bushfire Records, a dynamic record label with an authentic and eclectic focus; and distributed in partnership with Paradise Worldwide, a global distribution agency based in Europe.
Applications open 7th February 2024 and close 7th March 2024. Follow this link to apply: https://bit.ly/CollaboNation2024
The first year of CollaboNation was funded by the Sound Connects Fund, an initiative by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) and Goethe-Institut. The Sound Connects Fund is made possible with the financial contribution of the European Union and the support of the Organisation of ACP States.
