Nigerian singers, Ahmed Ololade, known professionally as Asake, and Daniel Benson, known professionally as BNXN, and formerly as Buju have been selected as recipients of the 2023 YouTubeBlack Voices creators and artist cohorts.
YouTube in a statement explained that the grant is a follow-up to a global multi-year commitment made in 2020.
The African creative sector is expected to get $20,000 and $50,000, respectively as seed funding through the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices creators and artist cohorts, the statement signed by the Managing Director of Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, Alex Okosi read.
Okosi stated that 40 creators from Sub-Saharan Africa would be part of the 135 #YouTubeBlack Voices Creators selected globally and enrolled in the cohort. The initiative consists of Black songwriters, producers, creators, and artists, the statement revealed.
Kamo Mphela from South Africa, Gyakie (Jacqueline Acheampong) from Ghana, BNXN and Asake from Nigeria were the African musicians selected for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Artists Class of 2023.
Tokoni Iderima; Kelechi Anyanwu; Ifeyinwa Mogekwu; Segun Oladapo-Ogunsanya; Izzi Boye; Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma); and Gina Ehikodi-Ojo were the other Nigerian creators that made the list.
”We are excited about the creators, musical artists and producers from Africa joining others from across the world in the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund,” Okosi was quoted to have said.
The selected creators would be entitled to dedicated partner support for six months with the opportunity to participate in programmes including bespoke training, workshops and networking programmes spread out across the year.
