#TheCookoutAfrica continues its rollout virtually across the continent. This collaborative songwriting masterclass is presented by The African Export- Import Bank (Afreximbank) and multi-Grammy Award nominated composer and producer Vincent Le Carl Berry II. The third edition is headed to Francophone Africa on Thursday October 29th at 18:00 WAT GMT + 1 / 19:00 CAT GMT + 2 – open to songwriters from all Francophone countries[i].
These interactive and fully collaborative on-line songwriting masterclasses are part of the build-up to the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021), and will provide both aspiring and professional songwriters the opportunity to write a song, in real time, with Grammy winning composer and producer, Vincent L. Berry II who will work to place the song commercially with all official songwriting collaborators sharing in the publishing rights.
#TheCookoutAfrica is a resource that empowers African songwriters to highlight their creativity, as well as promote team building and collaboration. This IATF2021 series of events is just one activation aimed at enabling Africa’s creative industries to continue to produce fresh, conscious, and culturally relevant content in a sustainable and cutting-edge manner.
With three successful events having focused on various regions, the series will continue over the next few months reaching across Africa in a celebration of the varied musical sounds and styles of the continent. This unique song writing opportunity is free, however pre-registration, which is essential, closes 24 hours before the event at 19:00 CAT / GMT + 2 October 28th , or if the 50 slots are filled prior.
Registration is now OPEN for aspiring and professional songwriters from Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, DRC, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. Sign up can be found here: https://bit.ly/36nOZSP
Vincent L. Berry II is most celebrated for being the Lead Writer of ‘Sandcastles’, on Beyonce’s highly acclaimed project “Lemonade” which instantly became a pop culture phenomenon. The album and film provoked an intense worldwide discussion about race, feminism, social media and the music industry. Berry has the distinct honour of being part of this 59th Annual Grammy Award-winning Project. Continuing on the path of success, Berry has participated in six Nominations in the past eight years. Most recently participating with J. Cole & Dreamville on the “Revenge of the Dreamer III”, a 62nd Annual Grammy Award Nominee for the Best Rap Album of the Year. Berry has also written for Akon, Ari Lennox, Babyface, Brandy, Chris Brown, Estelle, Mary J. Blige, Migos, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Ty Dolla Sign and Usher, to name a few. While the 2021 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) may only be taking place next year, the dynamic programme for Africa’s creatives has commenced. Africa’s creative industries will be a major focus at the event and #TheCookoutAfrica, along with other upcoming digital events, aims to build a transformative way to engage, educate and encourage creatives globally to collaborate as part of the on-going build up to IATF 2021.
To take part in this free song writing opportunity, simply fill out the application to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so sign-up now!
The second edition of the biennial Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), promoted by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union (AU), will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda, in Kigali, from 6th to 12th September 2021, under the theme “Building Bridges for a Successful AfCFTA”.
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[i] Songwriters who currently reside in and who are citizens of the following countries are eligible to register: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, DRC, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.