Midem has announced the finalists selected for its 2019 Artist Accelerator competition and 2 African artists namely Sauti Sol and Moonlight Sanelly made the finals.
The Midem Artist Accelerator (MAA) programme has seen a record number of submissions, with a 35% increase in 2018, including entries from 24 new countries. This year’s edition is presented by label and distribution company Amuse.
The competition gives artists the opportunity to have their music heard by a panel of experts, as well as offering entrants access to on-site mentoring and networking. It also provides profiling in Midem’s communications, features on the Official Midem 2019 Vinyl Compilation and the chance to perform on a beach stage on the French Riviera during the Midem By Night live series in Cannes.
The #midem Artist Accelerator 2019 finalists are here! Congrats to @AcidoPantera Alexander Oscar, Anya, @blanchemusicbe @boningenuk @DalexMusic @kyanmusic @MoonSanelly @Mullallymusic, Rasha Nahas & @sautisol. Check them all out live in June! #MAA https://t.co/m7sVdlnU2x pic.twitter.com/a7VqA3ZYSt
— Midem (@midem) April 4, 2019
The finalists in the 2019 Midem Artist Accelerator Programme are:
Acido Pantera – EDM (Colombia) Alexander Oscar – pop (Denmark) Anya – pop (Denmark) Blanche – pop (Belgium) Bo Ningen (pictured) – rock/alternative (Japan/UK) Dalex – R&B/hip-hop/urban (Puerto Rico) Kyan – R&B/hip-hop/urban (UK) Moonchild Sanelly – pop (South Africa) Mullally – pop (UK) Sauti Sol – world (Kenya) Rasha Nahas – rock/alternative (Palestinian Territories)
Oh Lawd yes fucking hell we are in!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🙆🏾♀️🙆🏾♀️🙆🏾♀️💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽Thank you Midembeams @midem 💙 https://t.co/nr8dVaReGF
— Moonchild Sanelly (@Moonsanelly) April 4, 2019
Midem director, Alexandre Deniot, said: “We’re so pleased to have seen such a boom in entries for 2019, particularly the diversity of genres and nations represented. With our commitment to working in developing regions through the High Potential Markets Programme, including the African and Latin American Forums, we’re especially excited to welcome submissions from countries in those areas, such as Kenya, South Africa, Puerto Rico and Colombia. I wish all the finalists the best of luck and look forward to seeing them perform in Cannes this June.”
Finalists were selected by Midem’s Artistic Committee, a panel of global industry players including Jessica Chang, Asia Pacific regional creative manager/writer services, Warner/Chappell Music; Devraj Sanyal, MD & CEO, Universal Music Group South Asia/EMI Music South Asia/Enchanted Valley Carnival; Christian Bernhardt, agent at United Talent Agency; Elodie Bensoussan, director of international development, Sony Music Entertainment; Nadia Khan, CEO of CTRL Management and founder of Women in CTRL; and Rob Hallett, founder, Robomagic.
During Midem, the finalists will have access to professional mentoring, including free legal consulting by the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers and data analytics from David Weiszfeld, founder & CEO of French company Soundcharts.
