Most music recorded in Africa never leaves Africa. For years, African productions have been neglected because of their poor sound quality, and because their distribution was costly and financially risky. Today technology allows for very decent yet affordable studios, which have been sprouting throughout Africa, as well as streamlined and cost-efficient digital distribution. In this context, there is no reason for African music not to be available for the rest of the world to enjoy.
The wealth of music in Africa is staggering. In the 1980s a wave of Western producers shed light on some of the continent's most talented artists, who remain successful to this day. However behind every Youssou N'Dour or Salif Keita, scores of young, talented artists are waiting to make it on a global scale. As African airwaves and sound systems blast music from all over the new world, from the US to Jamaica, Cuba to Brazil, experimentation is growing and new genres are evolving.
At its heart Akwaaba is a digital platform, a source of information on African music and culture. As a bridge between local musicians and global fans, it digitally distributes its artists to all major internet and mobile retailers...
BBRAVE
Akwaaba Music's founder caught the African bug in 2007 on his first trip to Ghana. Since then, he's spent months all over Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Togo and Angola, bridging the gap between local artists and music fans worldwide. Akwaaba releases the music, BBRAVE shares it on the dancefloor. Angolan kuduro, coupé décalé from Côte d'Ivoire, bouncy hiplife from Ghana, mixed in with whatever syncopated beats he can find, there's a lot to work with, and BBRAVE brings the works.
