Kendrick Lamar's Global Citizen Initiative to Bring Major Concerts to Africa
Rapper Kendrick Lamar is set to headline Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience, a new initiative aimed at establishing an international touring circuit in Africa. The initiative will kick off with a concert in Kigali, Rwanda on December 6th. Lamar's show at the BK Arena will be financed through a combination of philanthropic donations and corporate funding, showcasing the opportunities for artists who resonate with Africa's growing generation of young people.
Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans hopes that Lamar's participation will inspire other artists to recognize the potential of the African market. The Move Afrika initiative aims to foster social enterprise and provide certainty to vendors and partners, enabling them to scale and expand their businesses. The long-term goal is to develop a tour route that will support the growth and development of small businesses across the region.
African artists, such as Burna Boy, Rema, and Davido, have achieved international success in recent years. The music industry has also recognized the influence of African music, with the addition of categories like Best Afrobeats Video at the MTV Video Music Awards and the announcement of a new Grammy award for Best African Music Performance.
Kweku Mandela, Global Citizen's chief vision officer, emphasizes the importance of making major concerts accessible to Africans. He believes that the lack of infrastructure and technical crews often cited as barriers can be overcome with the right will and mindset. The Move Afrika initiative aims to generate a paradigm shift and send a message to the industry about the immense opportunities available in Africa.
In addition to Kendrick Lamar, Move Afrika: Rwanda will feature other regional artists curated by Lamar and filmmaker Dave Free's creative services company pgLang. The event will also include an advocacy campaign urging world leaders to take action on issues affecting Africa.
Overall, this initiative aims to bring major concerts to Africa, showcasing the continent's vibrant music scene and opening doors for further engagement and collaboration with global artists.
Implications of Kendrick Lamar's Global Citizen Initiative for New Businesses in Africa
Kendrick Lamar's Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience initiative could have significant implications for new businesses in Africa. By establishing an international touring circuit in Africa, the initiative could stimulate the local economy, creating opportunities for vendors and partners to scale and expand their businesses.
Boosting the Local Economy
The influx of major concerts could lead to increased tourism, boosting local businesses in sectors such as hospitality, food and beverage, and retail. Furthermore, the initiative could create jobs, contributing to economic growth and development in the region.
Creating Opportunities for Artists and Businesses
The initiative also presents opportunities for African artists to gain international exposure, potentially leading to collaborations with global artists. This could foster the growth of the music industry in Africa, benefiting related businesses such as recording studios, music production companies, and talent agencies.
Overcoming Infrastructure and Technical Challenges
While the lack of infrastructure and technical crews is often cited as a barrier to hosting major concerts in Africa, the initiative aims to overcome these challenges. This could lead to improvements in local infrastructure and technical capabilities, benefiting businesses in the construction, technology, and logistics sectors.
In conclusion, Kendrick Lamar's Global Citizen initiative could have far-reaching impacts on new businesses in Africa, stimulating economic growth and development in the region.
.svg)
