Unlocking Africa: Real Partnerships and Real Results

{
  "id": "PP1162524",
  "track": "Music",
  "focus_area": null,
  "category": "Panel",
  "event_id": "PP1162524",
  "event_type": "panel",
  "format": "Panel",
  "genre": null,
  "subgenre": null,
  "name": "Unlocking Africa: Real Partnerships and Real Results",
  "presented_by": null,
  "publish_at": "2025-11-13T13:10:00.000-06:00",
  "reservable": true,
  "reservable_id": "PP1162524",
  "reserved": false,
  "date": "2026-03-17",
  "end_time": "2026-03-17T17:00:00.000-05:00",
  "start_time": "2026-03-17T16:00:00.000-05:00",
  "message": null,
  "image": null,
  "credentials": [
    {
      "name": "Music Badge",
      "type": "music"
    },
    {
      "name": "Platinum Badge",
      "type": "platinum"
    }
  ],
  "contributors": [
    {
      "id": 90933,
      "company": null,
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2253549,
      "name": "Emanuel Okusanya",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Music Journalist",
      "image": null,
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Emanuel Okusanya is a music journalist, editor, and moderator whose work bridges Black music, global culture, and the business behind the sound. His grounding in African music coverage began at Variety, where he helped expand editorial focus on artists from the continent as their global influence accelerated. He most recently served as Music Editor at EBONY, leading editorial, video, and live conversations centered on Black music across the diaspora, and has helped introduce artists such as Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, and Asake to wider international audiences through their first major editorial features. He also previously held a senior media relations role at Warner Music Group. Okusanya currently works as a freelance editor, creative strategist, and producer, and is launching his new podcast, Story and Sound, as he continues to expand his work across content production and music journalism.\r",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 81301,
      "company": null,
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2242919,
      "name": "Jiire Smith",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Singer, Songwriter, & Producer",
      "image": {
        "alt_text": "Jire Smith",
        "credit": null,
        "url": "https://images.sxsw.com/YZem---h3SN476iK7-r3uatEWJE=/0x125:2730x2855/600x600/images.sxsw.com/48/5c77faef-d3d1-48d4-b2c7-40697fb02b00/pcid-1632055"
      },
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Jiire Smith is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter with creative roots between Abu Dhabi, UAE and Abuja, Nigeria his hometown. Named an Apple Music UpNext Artist in 2023, Jiire’s early singles established him as a soulful, story-driven artist, with \"Bus 170\" marking a breakthrough moment, notably charting at number 1 on iTunes R&B/Soul Chart in the UAE.\n\nHis message is of hope, of resilience, and of growth. A growth that accepts the self, seeks improvement, and intentionally works towards it. He journeys on his musical path with this simple, but powerful motto : ‘Little drops can make ocean’ \n",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 79136,
      "company": "Dapper Music",
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2240196,
      "name": "Damilola Akinwunmi",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Founder/CEO",
      "image": null,
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi is the founder and CEO of Dapper Group, a leading force in the Afrobeats revolution. Born in southwestern Nigeria, he began his career in talent management and media relations while earning a Sociology degree from the University of Lagos. Dapper first made waves discovering and mentoring Dotman, then founded Dvpper Digital, a music distribution company. He’s played a key role in the rise of artists like Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi, and T.I Blaze. In 2023, Dapper partnered with Virgin Music Nigeria to launch new labels Vibez Inc and Plutomania Records. Recognized as Executive of the Year by TurnTable Charts, he continues to shape Afrobeats’ global future through innovation and leadership.",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    },
    {
      "id": 79009,
      "company": "Virgin Music Group Nigeria ",
      "credential_types": [
        "music"
      ],
      "entity_id": 2239990,
      "name": "Kay Ikazoboh",
      "speaker_types": [],
      "title": "Head of Nigeria",
      "image": null,
      "speaker_type": "Speaker",
      "details": "“Kay” Ikazoboh is Managing Director of Virgin Music Nigeria, leading label services and artist development for Virgin Music Group. A former Director of A&R for Emerging Markets at Warner Music and founder of Kimani Moore Entertainment, Kay has worked with artists like Tay Iwar, Odunsi the Engine, and Ayra Starr. With deep roots in the African music scene and global experience, she’s known for championing independent talent and building pathways for African artists on the world stage.",
      "links": {},
      "type": "person"
    }
  ],
  "venue": {
    "accessible": false,
    "age_policy": null,
    "floor": null,
    "id": "V2406",
    "indoor_outdoor": null,
    "name": "Capitol Ballroom FGH",
    "parent_id": "V2427",
    "parent_venue_name": "Downright Austin",
    "venue_entry_info": null,
    "formats": null,
    "location": {
      "address": "710 E. 10th St.",
      "lat_lon": [
        30.2698058,
        -97.7343172
      ],
      "city": "Austin",
      "postal_code": "78701",
      "state": "TX",
      "name": "Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard"
    },
    "root": {
      "accessible": null,
      "age_policy": null,
      "floor": null,
      "id": "V2427",
      "indoor_outdoor": null,
      "name": "Downright Austin",
      "parent_id": null,
      "parent_venue_name": null,
      "venue_entry_info": null,
      "formats": null
    },
    "events": "[omitted 5 venue events]"
  },
  "description": "Africas music market is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic in the world but success depends on more than a viral hit. In this session we’ll unpack the strategies behind breaking artists across the continent and beyond. From navigating fragmented streaming platforms and hyper-local radio to street teams, fan communities, and brand collabs, you’ll hear what works, what flops and what it takes to build lasting careers in Africa’s diverse music scenes. Expect a real case study of how one artist cracked the local market and the roadmap that turned regional buzz into international momentum.",
  "experience_level": "Beginner",
  "accessibility": [],
  "accessible_venue": false,
  "add_bcl_url": false,
  "add_slido": false,
  "age_policy": null,
  "american_sign_language": false,
  "apple_url": null,
  "audio_description": false,
  "caption_url": null,
  "closed_captioned": false,
  "cpe_credit": false,
  "has_subtitles": false,
  "hash_tags": [],
  "high_sensory_experience": false,
  "live": false,
  "long_description": "Africas music market is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic in the world but success depends on more than a viral hit. In this session we’ll unpack the strategies behind breaking artists across the continent and beyond. From navigating fragmented streaming platforms and hyper-local radio to street teams, fan communities, and brand collabs, you’ll hear what works, what flops and what it takes to build lasting careers in Africa’s diverse music scenes. Expect a real case study of how one artist cracked the local market and the roadmap that turned regional buzz into international momentum.",
  "meeting_url": null,
  "meeting_url_live": false,
  "mentorly_url": null,
  "mobile_audio_url": null,
  "open_captioned": false,
  "playlist_tag": null,
  "rebroadcast": false,
  "recommended_ids": [],
  "search_conversions": null,
  "short_program": false,
  "slido_url": null,
  "sort": "UNLOCKING AFRICA: REAL PARTNERSHIPS AND REAL RESULTS",
  "source": "Official",
  "squad_up_url": null,
  "stream_embed": null,
  "stream_id": null,
  "stream_url": null,
  "strobe_warning": false,
  "subdiscipline": null,
  "summit": null,
  "summit_display_name": null,
  "tags": [],
  "talent_attending": null,
  "title_only": false,
  "track_display_name": "Music",
  "trailer_id": null,
  "trailer_url": null,
  "video_on_demand": null,
  "vimeo_id": null,
  "vod": false,
  "xr_project_type": null,
  "youtube_id": null,
  "related_sales_client": null
}