African music streaming and library platform, JosPlay, has introduced a new initiative aimed at supporting the growth of independent African artistes.
Through its newly launched JosPlay Rise Fund, the platform will provide monthly financial and promotional support to emerging talent across the continent.
The Rise Fund offers selected artistes a $300 cash prize, a full-scale marketing and release plan for their music, editorial exposure on all JosPlay social media channels, and a spot on the JosPlay Editorial Playlist.
To qualify, artistes must be independent, defined as operating outside traditional record labels, and have their song uploaded on the JosPlay platform. In addition, they must subscribe to JosPlay’s social media handles, share their music link with their networks, and post a video explaining how the fund would impact their music career.
Speaking at a virtual information session, JosPlay’s Artiste Acquisition and marketing lead, Blessing Tenumah explained that the initiative was born out of a series of workshops conducted over the past three months. These workshops focused on visibility and growth strategies for independent artistes.
Tenumah said, “By independent artistes, we mean artistes who create outside the boundaries of a record label. Beyond giving artistes tips of how best to promote their music, we will in the course of the next few months support and promote them to tell their stories to the world.”
JosPlay’s content director, David Tayebwa, emphasised that the Rise Fund represents a strategic evolution in the platform’s support for emerging talents.
“This is a systematic shift from what we have been doing in the past few months,” he stated. “It goes beyond giving the artistes money, to impacting all aspects of their career, and promoting the many genres of African music both niche and mainstream.”
Tayebwa also highlighted the challenges African artistes face in gaining recognition on global platforms.
“Based on our research as an African music library, there are several genres in African music. With global streaming apps like Spotify receiving 20,000 music submissions per day, what are the chances for these non-mainstream genres of African music to be heard?” he asked.
Running from August to December 2025, the fund will select one winning artiste each month, who will receive the full prize package. Meanwhile, 20 other finalists will be given consolation support, including limited editorial playlist placements and press features.
Although the program is currently self-funded, Tayebwa expressed hope that increased partnerships could allow the fund to expand beyond 2025 and possibly increase the number of monthly winners to three.
“This is a commitment by JosPlay to reward artistes for their efforts in growing their music career,” he concluded.
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