The Orchard is excited to announce the renewal of our partnership with Music Business Academy (MBA) for Africa for the academy’s 2023 edition of The MBA Talent Project. The MBA Talent Project is geared towards developing the next generation of music industry executives in Africa. With our partnership, The Orchard will give ten emerging African artists and the 2023 cohort of the annual MBA For Africa program an opportunity to learn key tenets of the global music business through practical, hands-on experience. The students will have the opportunity to apply what they are being taught in real-time as they write, produce, record, market, and release an album that will be distributed by The Orchard.
“This partnership with The Orchard helps us ensure the students get a chance to practice all the things they learn from the program,” says Godwin Tom, founder of the Music Business Academy For Africa. “It also gives new, unsigned, and amazing artists a chance to move their careers forward, to learn about the business, and engage potential representation. This partnership not only means a lot to the team behind the MBA for Africa, but it will change lives and that is what we are here for. This year will be even more exciting!”
The Orchard will invest in developing the 2023 edition of The MBA Talent Project, helping to steer students’ journeys from music creation to release. The Orchard will also participate in the 2023 edition of the MBA For Africa program by offering education and mentoring to the students, providing marketing and promotional support for the release of the album, and distributing the final output.
“The African continent is rich with an enormous talent pool of emerging artists,” says Ben Oldfield. Vice President, Africa at The Orchard. “As The Orchard continues to grow its presence across the region, a key focus is to discover, support, and develop new talent. Via our ongoing partnership with MBA, we can introduce these artists to a global audience, and give them access to brand-building resources that will help grow and sustain a fanbase.”
In 2022, the MBA Talent Project gave 290 students from over 35 cities across Africa and other continents the opportunity to work with 8 African artists to create, market, promote, and release the Fuel & Flames album, film over 3 music videos, execute music recording contracts, and more.
Interested in Applying?
The Open Call for artists to join the 2023 MBA Talent Project is now open! The application is open to all unsigned African artists. The top 40 talents will be selected by MBA’s A&R team, followed by a vote for the top 20 by the general public via The MBA Talent Project’s website. Final voting for the top ten winners will be done by the students of the 2023 cohort of the Music Business Academy for Africa.
Timeline:
June 30: Applications close
July 3: Selections Process
August 1 – March 24: The 2023 Talent Project program
