Canada brings in 4IR

CROSS-BORDER COLLABORATION FOR MUSICIANS

Two countries will explore ways to maximise technology and business.

South African Music Week (SAMW), a new annual collaborative cross-border event from 26 to 28 January, takes its cue from the Canadian Music Week.

South Africa and Canada will explore ways to maximise how music, technology and business are converging, and to forge a new path for success for all musicians.

SAMW is free to attend and will take place virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a reciprocal exchange, SAMW will aim to build skills and the capacity of the South African music industry as a whole, and for artists in both countries to discover new markets for their craft.

At the same time, South Africa and Canada are looking to develop a mutually beneficial collaborative investment paradigm to grow the music economy, a by-product of which could be travel and tourism opportunities between the two.

Themed Music in the 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution), the event comprises three days of online panel discussions, a virtual expo, music performances, business-to-business networking and an industry Hall of Honours event.

Founder and chief executive of SAMW Michael Moeti said: “We are excited to write a new chapter for the South African music industry by bringing the world to our doorstep using the digital age to unearth emerging talent and plugging it into a global audience.

“Thanks to the phenomenal inspiring success of Master KG’s Jerusalema, South African talent is being recognised globally.

“SAMW is, therefore, the ideal platform from which to entrench this interest and build a robust cross-border music industry based on collaboration and making the most of music in the 4IR.”

SAMW is the result of a working visit by Moeti to Canadian Music Week (CMW) in Toronto in May, 2019 when South Africa was a spotlight at CMW as well as a fact-finding mission to Canada in January last year, which was led by Mbali Hlophe, Gauteng MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation.

SAMW will amplify the new spirit of world community, to work together on creative solutions that benefit the whole.

Headed up by Canada’s province of Ontario in partnership with Gauteng, among the big names that will participate in SAMW are Cory Litwin, Amara Nwogu, Erin Ashly, Trisha Carter, as well as local heavyweights like Black Coffee, Euphonik and Jonathan Butler.

Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s minister of heritage, sport, tourism, and culture industries said: “I’m pleased that we all are coming together to support South African

Music Week, in the great province of Ontario…

“I’m pleased that we continue, as the ‘world in one province’, to embrace the world over into our music scene and vibrant culture and arts scene.

“We are there to support you and we cannot wait to see what you deliver next.”

Canada will also field a contingent of highly regarded professionals, some of whom have been responsible for the successful careers of some of the biggest global artists including Drake, Justin Bieber, Celine Dion, The Weeknd and Michael Buble, among others.

The South African Music Week is being held in partnership with the department of sport, arts and culture, Gauteng department of sport, arts, culture and recreation and BrandSA.

Thanks to the inspiring success of Jerusalema, SA talent is being recognised globally.

Michael Moeti SA Music Week chief executive