On Thursday, 9th January, Sony Music Publishing West Africa held a masterclass in collaboration with Spotify, BMI, and Native Instruments in Accra, Ghana. Held at Barndoor Beer Garden Osu, the event had multiple sessions led by seasoned music executives, artists, and producers who shared insights on the various topics discussed at the event.
The first panel, “Crafting A Classic,” made up of DAMEDAME*, Guiltybeatz, and Wale Davies, spoke on how artists can create the best music they can. The provided perspectives are from that of the producer, the songwriter, and the artist. The conversation also highlighted how best all these individuals can collaborate. The members of the panel mentioned the importance of first, having an identity as a creative, having your goal, and then mapping out how best to roll the plan out. As creatives, you must be intentional in how you present yourself and your music. Finding the right balance between the music and the person is part of the artist’s process.
The second panel, “BMI 101,” led by Anu Gantumur, provided insights into what BMI is, why it was created, how people can sign up, and the benefits of signing up for BMI. She further explained how different BMI is from a label or a copyright agency. She explained how BMI works with territories and how songwriters can have a partnership with BMI and other performance rights organizations around the world.
On the “Women In Music” panel with Brazy, Lulu, Nasra Artan, and Nikita Chauhan, they discussed life as a woman in the music industry. The women shared how they’ve been maneuvering the space, overcoming pushbacks, and how they’ve been able to set themselves apart in the industry. They shared some tips on how best to position yourself for opportunities, make the most of the opportunities, and how to amplify your craft.
All in all, this year’s masterclass brought together people from all the different parts of the music industry in Ghana and the diaspora. Patrons of the masterclass had the opportunity to ask questions, interact with the panel, and network with everyone else present. The knowledge, experience, and insights shared, if employed by the artists and executives present, will go a long way to enrich our music ecosystem both at home and abroad.
Written by Nana Kojo Mula.
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