On Saturday 31 May 2014, music industry experts, tastemakers, aspiring young professionals and artists took over the prestigious Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, London, for the fifth instalment of the Afro-Beats Educational Roadshow (TAER), the UK's first and only music business platform dedicated to bringing together UK-African and mainstream music professionals.
The brainchild of Strictly Entertainment Music and held in association with Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) and Ravensbourne African Caribbean Society (ACS), TAER aims to provide training
and knowledge on current developments within the music industry and the latest edition saw panels ranging from ‘Defining Your Brand’, ‘Music Blogging & PR’, ‘Afro Music Goes Live’, a master-class on ‘Management, The Law, Contracts and Intellectual Property’ as well as a comprehensive introduction to ‘The British Recorded Music Industry’ by governing body, BPI and performances from emerging young artists. Gennaro Castaldo, BPI Director of Communications commented:
“Interest in Afrobeats and in music of African origin is growing all the time in the UK. So now is an ideal time for artists and content creators and trade bodies such as the BPI to work more closely together to raise the profile of the genre and help bring it into the mainstream. The Strictly Entertainment Music backed education roadshows are a great way to find out what resources and opportunities are out there for you to connect with your audience and help grow your fan-base.”
Guest speakers included: Simon Vandi (CEO Siva Music/ Investment), Dayo Balogun (Creative Director H264Media), Osiki Ojo Triple O Productions (Producer/ Remixer/ Mixer), Kiri Phoenix (Plugger Music2Media), Ricardo Eversley (Digital Website Design/ University Lecturer), Uncle ADÉ - The King Maker (Vocal Tutor/ University Lecturer), Gennaro Castaldo
(Director of Communications BPI), DJMVP Cynthia (DJ), James Joseph (CEO James Joseph Music Management), Lanre Davies (CEO Factory78), Mobolaji (Itsjustmobolaji), Ayo Adepoju (WePlugGoodMusic), Verbal Vixen (Journalist, MTV and Presenter, Bang Radio), Mansour Bellow (Presenter Afrobeats360), General Pype and Sefiya (recording artist Silverlight Entertainment Nigeria), Rikki Stein (CEO, Kalakuta Sunrise Ltd and former manager, Fela Kuti), Teeah Small (Events and Music Consultant), Michael Lawrence (Agent, MLBA Agency), Stephen Budd (Co-founder, Africa Express), Atta Kouassi (Founder, Focus Organization), iKE Onuorah (CEO Strictly Entertainment Music), Victor Omos (Nigerian Watch and EGA Music), all hosted by Adesope Olajide (Broadcaster F78/ Vox Africa TV). Live performances included Y.F.S, Ayo K-Logic, Mazi Chukz, Vicky Sola and headlined by the Great Fuji Master Wasiu’s daughter Honey B! Recognised earlier in 2014 by the Nigerian UK community at the Nigerian Entertainment Lifestyle Awards (NEL Awards) where it picked up an award in the ‘Entertainment Education’ category, TAER has previously partnered with Westminster University, Black Music Research Unit (BMRU), BMI and the Africa Centre to deliver past editions.
Another highlight of the day included the official launch of the top 20 ‘Afrobreakers Charts’ across key Afrobeats platforms by Nigerian Watch, Afrohits, Wyld Pych Records, Factory78, DLA,
Afrobeats In The City, We Plug Good Music and Strictly Entertainment Music. The aim of the charts is to project a united front in support of the music as well as to popularise the genre.
Speaking on the latest event, Strictly Entertainment CEO, iKE Onuorah expressed that “TAER 5 was another key landmark in bridging the gap between the mainstream music industry and the
new emerging UK underground sound, UK Afrobeats. That said there is still a lot more to be done on both sides before its full potential can be realised”.Rikki Stein also had this to say: “A remarkable event, as instructive and inspirational to the panellists as it was to the participating audience of young music professionals.”
The next edition of The Afro-Beats Education Roadshow will take place on Saturday 30th August 2014.
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