AGP Executive Report

AFRIMMA 2026: Davido’s “5ive” took Album of the Year as Tems, Phyno, Mercy Chinwo and DJ Tunez also dominated the 41-category awards in Dallas. South Africa Music & Culture: Rick Treweek won an Emmy for “Uncanny Alley: A New Day,” while MySol pledged to back Emtee with a possible FNB Stadium show in 2027. Celebrity Buzz: Tems sparked fresh chatter after declaring she’s “off the streets,” and Emtee’s court case was postponed to October. Arts & Heritage: Lesotho launched a free 360-degree VR royal history experience, and South Africa’s Joburg Theatre is set to celebrate Caiphus Semenya’s musical legacy. Global African Spotlight: AFROFEST 2026 wrapped in Moscow, and Nigeria’s tourism and creative sectors pushed for a year-round strategy to chase a $100bn target beyond the December rush. Music Beyond the Continent: Black Coffee headlines Ushuaïa Dubai season opening on Oct 24.

AI Music Deal: Universal Music Group links up with ElevenLabs on an opt-in model for AI remixes and new takes, aiming to move from legal fights to controlled participation. Campus Music Hub: YABATECH in Lagos turns Bigi and Fearless into a music-and-talent engine with Soundcity OnTour, competitions, and a ₦1m prize pathway. Music Industry Awards: PRISMS Awards judging kicks off in Johannesburg with 360+ entries and a big panel of about 65 judges ahead of the Oct 22–24 summit. Theatre & Pop Culture: Cape Town keeps the ABBA joy rolling as Mamma Mia! plays Artscape until Oct 11, with audiences praising the energy and cast. Charity Drive: Durban’s Rice Drive returns Oct 3 after growing from 11 tonnes in 2020 to 102 tonnes last year, backing Food For Love Africa. Green Business Spotlight: Ghana Garden and Flower Show opens in Accra, pushing horticulture as a jobs and enterprise engine. Cross-Atlantic Carnival Talk: Nigeria and Trinidad & Tobago explore Carnival collaboration, from music and dance to costume design. Photography Festival: Cape Town Photography Festival expands under “Truth,” challenging how images shape what we believe.

Springboks Anthem Buzz: South Africa’s unofficial hit “Sister Bethina” turns 20, with Mgarimbe’s track blasting at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium after the All Blacks’ haka as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu broke down during Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Music & Culture Export: Togo’s Nihtael Dynasty is building more sustainable careers for independent artists through digital distribution, artist development and market access. Streaming Power: Spotify’s Nigeria launch is credited with ₦60bn in 2025 royalties and a big rise in Nigerian artists, with nearly 58% going to independents. Creative Economy Jobs: A push argues African storytelling is an economic asset, citing Shaka iLembe’s job creation and the need for stronger IP ownership. Awards Watch: Malawi’s stars land Zikomo Africa & Caribbean Awards nominations across football, music and business. Environment Meets Tourism: A warning in St Vincent’s calls out mangrove destruction tied to tourism expansion. Festival Calendar: Ada’s Tapioca Festival 2026 is being repositioned as a cultural and tourism platform.

BRICS & Ethiopia’s New Year: Ethiopia kicked off Enkutatash 2019 with a wide agenda—diplomacy, investment, digital push, reconciliation—and renewed talk of securing reliable Red Sea access after Abiy Ahmed’s BRICS summit push in New Delhi. West African Music Live: Sean Gaskell brings kora music—songs tied to centuries of Mande history—to Middleboro Public Library on Oct 6. South Africa Summer Culture: Soweto Kota Festival drew crowds to Elke Stadium with DJs, more than 30 stalls, and a full-on kota “battle” of township flavours. Afrobeats Spotlight: Yemi Alade drops her self-titled 7th studio album, leaning into pan-African collaborations and guitar-led storytelling. Amapiano Goes Global: A look at how amapiano’s log drums and township roots turned into worldwide hits, including Tyla’s “Water.” Rema x Rvssian: The duo reunites on dancehall-tinged Afropop/reggaeton single “Oh No.” Drug Bust in Lagos: NDLEA seized 44.45kg of synthetic cannabis (“Colorado/Colos”) from UK-linked cargo and music speakers, arresting suspects tied to the shipments. Eswatini Sports & Youth Olympics: Eswatini joined “We Run for Africa” ahead of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics with a 5km walk in Lobamba.

BRICS Symphony at the summit: India’s PM Modi hosted a BRICS gala dinner in New Delhi featuring “BRICS Symphony” and “Navarasa,” with a 160-strong ensemble blending Indian classical dance and traditional instruments from across member and partner countries. South Africa music moment: Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was moved to tears as Jesse Clegg sang the national anthem in Baltimore ahead of the final test, tying rugby to South African sound and legacy. Eswatini campus beats: UNESWA’s inaugural Kick-Off Carnival, powered by MTN Pulse, brought first-years together with local artists and DJs for a full day of music and community. Sierra Leone gospel spotlight: King Midas launched the King Midas Singing Challenge, inviting fans to cover “Nothing Without You” or “Overcomer” for cash prizes and a chance to break through. Zimbabwe trade + culture angle: Zimbabwe’s export rebound to COMESA is framed as a wider push for industrial growth—while the week also highlighted regional creative momentum.

Feel the Rhythm Festival: Bywater’s Music Box Village hosts the 4th annual Feel the Rhythm of the Drums Festival on Oct 3, bringing African and Afro-Caribbean music, dance and heritage with 100+ performers from across the diaspora. South African music spotlight: Drummer Shaza Greeff turned an outdoor crowd into a dancefloor with just a djembe and pure energy. Kenya creative economy push: Kenya’s bid to host the Africa Recording Academy HQ got a boost as Recording Academy leaders met President William Ruto and said key milestones are underway, with Kenyan mentee artists set to travel to the US. BRICS and culture: BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration and the summit’s gala dinner is set to feature 100+ artists, while a “Sangam” friendship mural celebrates confluence of cultures. Lagos design scene: Casa Mouda launches in Lagos in 2026 to spotlight contemporary African design, with its “Design Institute” project aimed at boosting production and global recognition. Tanzania celebration: Diamond Platnumz lays down strict Arabic dress-code rules for his daughter Zuchu’s 40-day milestone event.

Namibia Music Spotlight: Immanuel “Brazho” Gomusab, a self-taught left-handed guitarist, credits family roots and years of strict rehearsal for shaping his cover-band legacy (Black 5, Silver Stars) before stepping into bigger stages. Zimbabwe Storytelling Through Music: Golden Mucheto’s debut novel, Chirorodziva: Pool of the Fallen, is launched with performances and guitar sets, turning Zimbabwe history into a page-turning, youth-friendly experience. Gospel Shift: Bulawayo producer Thulani Nyashanu (DJ Face/2LANI) is moving from behind-the-scenes hits into worship ministry, with an upcoming track called Mutsvene. Malawi Responsible Gambling: MAGLA urges Holy Family College students to treat betting as entertainment, not income, during Africa Safer Gambling Week outreach. Ivory Coast Street Dance: Biama’s fast, acrobatic street moves keep spreading in Abidjan, powered by local DJs and weekly after-class dance sessions. South Africa Music Business: A petition pushes Emtee to headline FNB Stadium in 2027, as fans debate whether the stadium dream is realistic.

Street Dance Spotlight: Ivory Coast’s biama craze is turning Abidjan’s Yopougon into a weekly dance hub, with teens packing sandy outdoor stages for high-tempo moves set to mixes of zouk, zouglou and afrobeat. South Africa Music Buzz: Cassper Nyovest says the online love he’s been getting feels “weird” after years of hate, as fans rally behind his legacy. Kwaito & Respect: Zakes Bantwini hits back at podcasters who joked about L’vovo’s stroke recovery, calling it cruelty, not comedy. Celebrity Love Updates: Harmonize confirms his split from Frida Kajala, saying the on-and-off cycle has pushed him to focus on himself and a new album. Tour Hype: Sean Paul announces a three-city South Africa run in December, with 30% of tickets already sold. Live Music Calendar: Red Bull Unlocked Cape Town returns on 26 September with 70+ artists across 10 venues, from amapiano to afro tech. Heritage & Performance: KwaZulu-Natal’s Umkhosi Womhlanga reed dance kicks off again at eMashobeni, with numbers expected to double from last week’s 5,000 maidens.

Local Elections Watch: A viral “head girl” campaign for South African learner Koki turned into a national TikTok-style moment, offering a real-world playbook for how candidates can stand out ahead of the Nov 4 municipal vote. Female Talent Spotlight: Tanzanian star Nandy’s Afrikan Princess label is expanding its roster and ambition, building a female-focused platform meant to reach beyond Tanzania. Street Dance Energy: Ivory Coast’s biama street-dance scene is drawing crowds with fast, acrobatic moves and DJ-led outdoor sessions—proof that youth culture is driving new music-and-dance economies. Music Industry & Support: South African indie folk artist Majozi is pushing for stronger backing for local music while staging his own curated shows. Cross-Border Gospel: Malawi’s Theresa Phondo lines up Nigerian Adah Ehi and Zambian Pompi for a major Oct 31 concert in Lilongwe. Global Music Milestone: Ghana’s Black Sherif and Caribbean duo Full Blown team up on “Love Again,” adding more momentum to his streaming-heavy run. Climate & Culture: UN climate chief Simon Stiell warns climate change is now an economic security emergency, not a “culture war” talking point.

Music Spotlight: South African independent singer Naledi Aphiwe says her official YouTube Artist Channel was removed without authorization, wiping a catalogue with 120M+ views just weeks before a new EP. Live & Culture: Worcester’s Got African Talent returns Sept. 12 at Institute Park, spotlighting African music, dance, fashion and more with headliners including YaGrlTam and SON. African Dance Online: Viral African dance clips are breaking stereotypes in China, with dancers like Ghanaian Yoofi Greene using social media to build audiences and opportunities. Global Jazz: Shabaka reunites with saxophone to revisit John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme for Coltrane centenary shows in London. Events & Heritage: Ghana’s Akwasidae USA 2026 brings Asante royal culture to Bowie State University, while Edo State unveils Edo Carnival 2026 plans for Dec. 13–26 in Benin City. International Music: Angélique Kidjo headlines Sept. 17 in Wisconsin, continuing her global advocacy through music.

Music & Culture Spotlight: Beyoncé marked her 45th birthday by donating $2m to the Studio Museum in Harlem, backing a hub for artists of African descent. Ghana Music Industry: Crux Global’s COO says Ghana’s music quality has slipped over the last decade, blaming “lazy” habits enabled by easy bedroom production. Ghana Grammy Push: Obofour Raphael submitted his album “Adom Akyede?” plus tracks “Ahoofe” and “Awula” for 2027 Grammy consideration. South Africa Live Music: Sean Paul announced a three-city South Africa tour for December (Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban). South Africa Crime & Music: A third suspect was arrested in the murder case of DJ Warras Stock. Arts Funding (UK): Nottingham’s “build-back” push is funding new music, dance, theatre and visual arts events after major council cuts. African Creative Economy: Zambia’s Africa Creative Market and Cameroon’s artisan roadmap both signal rising policy focus on craft and creative livelihoods. Tourism x Culture (Zimbabwe): President Mnangagwa opened the Sanganai/Hlanganani tourism expo in Masvingo as investment triples to $132.3m in H1.

Legal & Music: Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan was acquitted of sexual assault charges by a Quebec City court over an alleged 2010 hotel incident, with the judge saying there wasn’t enough to convict beyond a reasonable doubt. African Creative Economy: Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will join AFRIMA founder Mike Dada and others at the California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit (Sept 17–18) in Sacramento/San Francisco, with a focus on investing in music, film and IP. Amapiano Spotlight: SAYELA drops the official video for “My Rhythm Knows Your Name,” blending Amapiano, Afro-pop and Afro-R&B, out now on YouTube and Spotify. Live Music Dates: Sean Paul announces a three-city South Africa tour for December (Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban). Culture & Heritage: Ezebhubesi’s Brian Sibanda used music and fashion to celebrate King Mzilikazi commemorations, framing artists as custodians of history. Scam Warning (Ghana): Ghana’s DUBAWA reports Facebook deepfake ads promoting an AI investment platform, urging users to beware of impersonation schemes. Tech + Africa Arts: Final Cut in Venice (post-production support for Africa/Arab films) names DR Congo’s Machérie Ekwa Bahango’s “Madi Makambu” the La Biennale di Venezia Prize winner.

Music Business Shock: LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey, citing $500m–$1bn in liabilities and $100m–$500m in assets, with a plan to restructure and return in 2027 under a “player-first” ownership model. Underground Club Scene: Tunisia’s Balaclava launches its 4th anniversary party on Sept 19 in Tunis, spotlighting regional bass, jungle, grime, rap and hip-hop with acts from Tunisia, Lebanon and Morocco. Francophone Releases: D.D. MEC dropped the Francophone album “À Ma Façon” with seven music videos, while Sibafo expanded its 2026 independent slate and released “When Did I Become the Stranger?” with an official video. Gospel Talent Hunt (Eswatini): Eswatini Praise Talent Search opened with 100+ digital auditions in hours, judged by South African gospel star Oncemore Six. Reggae Heritage Fight (Jamaica): Kingston’s Channel One studio was demolished without approval, triggering municipal investigations into the loss of a 70s–80s reggae landmark. South African Anthem Moment: Adrienne Bailon-Houghton in Mzansi shared that “Sister Bethina” had to be played during her trip.

Afrodancehall Breakthrough: Ghana’s TMBwoy drops debut album “Chapter One,” blending Afrodancehall’s dancehall punch with African percussion, reggae warmth and Afrobeats melodies. Streaming Momentum: Ghana’s Gyakie lands two Top 10 spots on Apple Music Nigeria with “My Diary” and “After Midnight,” showing her reach is widening across the continent. Tour Buzz: Nigerian stars Davido, Tems and Wizkid light up AfroPlus Fest in Maryland, with the festival spotlighting Afrobeats, amapiano, dancehall and hip-hop. South Africa Stage & Sound: DJ Maphorisa credits Cassper Nyovest for proving stadium shows are possible for SA artists ahead of the Scorpion Kings’ FNB Stadium gig. Music + Identity Debate: A fresh wave of discussion erupts after Fat Joe’s N-word comments reignite questions about who gets to use the slur in hip-hop. Cultural Arts Spotlight: Joburg Theatre’s “An Ode to Motown” gets a South African fashion makeover by designer Paledi Segapo for iComplete. Film Prize: “Madi Makambu” wins at Final Cut in Venice, tackling pregnancy denial with a “universal and intense” story.

YouTube Milestone: Pakistan’s Coke Studio hit “Pasoori” just became the first Pakistani music video to cross 1 billion views, with most viewers coming from outside Pakistan—proof that local language and sound can travel far. South Africa Classical Spotlight: Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra kicks off its 2026 tour, “Mzansi Meets the World,” bringing Maxim Vengerov and a new South African commission to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Gqeberha, plus masterclasses for young strings. Jazz & Storytelling: From Overport to international stages, Melvin Peters’ lifelong jazz journey is profiled, including his work as music director and keyboard player for Pat Pillai’s “My Cape Town.” Genre-Fluid Pop: South African-born, LA-based Tamara Kumbula expands her pop/hip-hop/alternative lane with fashion and visual storytelling at the core. Live Music Dates (SA): Jack White announces first-ever South Africa shows for December—Johannesburg and Cape Town. Culture in Motion (Zimbabwe): King Mzilikazi commemorations in Bulawayo draw thousands from across the region with music, dance and cross-border heritage.

Creative Economy Push: SIFAX boss Dr Taiwo Afolabi urged Nigeria’s creative industry to turn African indigenous knowledge in performance, film and festivals into jobs and sustainable economic value. Street-to-Track Magic: Cape Town musician Sayana built a viral song by recording beats from delivery workers, pedestrians and parking attendants on 6 September. Music Meets Business: Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and AFRIMA founder Mike Dada are set to speak at the California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit in September, pitching “culture to capital” for the creative economy. Global Stage for Afrobeats: Wizkid headlined Afro Plus Fest’s closing night in Maryland (Sept 4–6) with Olamide also lighting up the lineup. South Africa Spotlight: Maskandi star Khuzani “Gatsheni” Ndlovu donated his full performance fee to help complete late Scebi Dlamini’s unfinished home after the August crash. Streaming Battle: MultiChoice rolled out new DStv Expect+ packages while saying piracy remains a major challenge as it restructures under Canal+. Big Milestone: Pakistan’s “Pasoori” became the first Pakistani music video to hit 1 billion YouTube views.