By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To support emerging artists in Ghana, a global streaming platform, Spotify, has announced a multi-year investment through its Creator Equity Fund by donating to Accra-based Vibrate Space.
Vibrate Space, a non-profit organisation operated by Surf Ghana, is a community recording studio and music business programme offering education, mentorship and space to young Ghanaian artists so that they can create, connect and collaborate.
Spotify first partnered with Vibrate in September 2022 with a donation that facilitated the launch of the studio. Over the past six months, the platform has registered over 200 studio bookings and hosted many more creators for events and classes.
To help Vibrate achieve its robust plans to grow and support the creative economy in Ghana, Spotify is making a sizeable donation from its Creator Equity Fund to be administered over multiple years.
“Since Spotify’s arrival in Africa five years ago, we have worked to identify opportunities to support artists in ways that speak directly to each of our markets.
“The partnership with Vibrate allows us to continue supporting emerging artists and cultural entrepreneurs in Ghana in addition to the on-platform work we are doing in the country,” the Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at Spotify, Ms Phiona Okumu, said.
Also commenting, the Global Head of Artist and Audience Partnerships at Spotify, Mr Joe Hadley, said, “Spotify is proud to continue our efforts to support and uplift creatives with our Creator Equity Fund.
“I’m excited to share that from that fund, we’re announcing a donation to the Vibrate Space in Accra, Ghana. They have been incredible partners to us, continually pouring into the local community and creating a space where artists can come together to grow creatively. We’re looking forward to hearing the music, stories, and success that will come out of Vibrate.”
Similarly, the Managing Director for Spotify SSA, Ms Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, said, “Spotify is constantly seeking new and innovative ways to promote African music and celebrate and support its creators.
“We see ourselves as a global platform with a local focus, and we really drill down to understand what is happening across the continent and how we can support both artists and users in those markets.
“Our partnership with Vibrate is one way that we are doing this in Ghana, but we have plans and projects in place to support artists both on and off platforms across the region.”
On her part, the founder and director of Surf Ghana, Ms Sandy Alibo, said, “We are happy to be partnered with Spotify. They’re really supportive of the alternative scene, and not every brand understands that.
“We work with young and emerging artists and creators who are looking to make a mark in the music industry, and Spotify is a brand that speaks to young people and has played a significant role in taking African and Ghanaian music to the world.”
Vibrate intends to use the additional funding for artist support and establish an artist-in-residency and exchange programme to fuel creativity, collaboration and cultural exchange, as well as a women’s programme aimed at supporting women’s growth in the industry.
The platform also wants to expand its educational offerings by extending the highly successful monthly masterclasses for another two years and introducing a three-month instrument learning programme, starting with piano lessons and expanding into other instruments.
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