This is a talent incubator program that provides emerging artists with the tools, startup funding and mentorship to become artist-entrepreneurs.
Following a successful launch earlier this year, emPawa Africa’s accelerator program reopens to entries on Friday, Aug. 15.

30 African artists will be selected to receive a non-repayable grant to fund their first pro-quality music video. They will also have mentorship, marketing services and other support to launch their international recording career.

To be considered, entrants are asked to upload a 1 minute video to Instagram of themselves performing an original song, cover or freestyle, with the hashtag #emPawa30.

The program will close to submissions on Sept. 15, after which each entry will each be evaluated by Mr Eazi and his music-industry colleagues. The new cohort of 30 artists will be announced on Sept. 30. Once selected, each #emPawa30 artist will be assigned an individual mentor and video director, with whom they will work directly throughout the seven-month mentorship program.

Four artists will receive additional funding to cover management, marketing and legal fees throughout 2020, as well as to record new music and create additional videos.

The award was received by Bose Ogulu, Burna Boy’s mum and manager, who also attended the award ceremony. In her acceptance speech, Burna Boy’s mum said the message from the singer to every African in diaspora is ‘remember you were first an African before any other thing.’

Burna Boy was nominated alongside Teni Makanaki and Mr Eazi in the category.

The EmPawa Africa is a project he started 12 months ago and since its creation, emPawa has started a campaign to give $5,000 to 10 individuals/groups.

Today the singer is taking the project further as he announced the launch of three more EmPawa project, which are Empawa Distribution, Empawa Publishing, Empawa Label Services.

He made this announcement on his twitter handle, he tweeted “I said it, and I am doing it! Empawa Distribution, Empawa Publishing, Empawa Label Services all Launch JULY 19!!!! Jah be Praised. ”

Burna Boy and Mr Eazi got nominated as Best international act, along side AKA, Dave and Giggs, Aya Nakamura and Dosseh from France.

Teni alongside Sho Madjodzi, Headie One, Octavian, Jokair and Nesly got nominated for the Best new international act category