JosPlay’s Rise Fund Returns, Increases Prize To $1000

JosPlay, Africa’s most artist-centric music streaming platform, has announced the second edition of the Rise Fund, this time increasing the fund for independent African artists from $300 to $ 1,000.

Established in 2025, Rise Fund provides independent African artists with a range of services designed to promote their work across Africa and beyond.

The winner of the contest is entitled to promotional efforts worth $300. This includes a feature in the JosPlay Editorial Playlist, the Rise Fund’s Raw & Rising Playlist, which features the top 20 songs of the competition; its social media handles; and a full-blown marketing release plan, as well as merchandise.

Runners-up in the contest also receive free services from JosPlay, including a feature in the Raw & Rising Playlist, with the top 5 spotlighted on its social media platforms and blog posts.

The increase in the prize follows the platform’s pledge to increase its support this year, alongside hopes of extending the self-funded contest to three winners per month through increased partnerships.

With the success of the pilot fund, which saw entries from East, Southern Africa, and several West African countries, JosPlay has announced calls for submissions for Volume 2, targeting the spotlighting of talent, amplification of voices, and creation of real growth opportunities for Independent African artists.

To qualify for the contest, artistes must be independent – “by independent, we mean artistes who create outside the boundaries of a record label,” said JosPlay Artistic & Acquisition Director, Blessing Tenumah. They must also be African and registered on the JosPlay music platform, and ensure that their entries to the contest are also on JosPlay.

Submission is open from December 15 to January 14.