The German Embassy Pretoria, Africa Rising Music Conference, and Paradise Worldwide are proud to announce the launch of a new mentorship programme designed to support and empower the next generation of African music talent.

Deadline: 30 June – Apply Here 

Created to bridge the gap between creativity and professional music industry development, the programme will provide selected emerging artists with access to mentorship, creative resources, and industry support aimed at elevating their music careers and preparing them for long-term success.

The initiative will select 5 promising artists through an application process, with finalists chosen by an independent jury panel comprising respected industry professionals, creatives, and cultural leaders. The mentorship programme is focused on helping artists professionally develop and execute their music releases from start to finish. 

Five selected artists will receive professional support for an upcoming release project, including:

• Professional mastering for their project
• Release strategy support
• 1 on 1 International Industry mentorship
• EP / single artwork design
• Press shots
• In studio shoot for the promo content to amplify the release 
• Visual storytelling support for the lead single

The programme aims to create meaningful opportunities for upcoming artists by equipping them with both creative tools and industry knowledge needed to navigate today’s evolving music landscape.

Speaking on the collaboration, representatives from the partnering organisations shared a common vision of investing in African creative talent and creating sustainable pathways for artist development across the continent.

“This programme is about creating access, nurturing talent, and giving emerging artists the opportunity to present their work at a professional level while learning directly from experienced industry leaders,” said SJ Nicholson, ARMC Founder.

“Music and diplomacy share many traits. They connect people. They foster collaboration. When successful, they create something bigger than the sum of its parts. ARMC’s Mentorship Programme for African Artists is about just that: connections between German and South African artists to create something beautiful. As the German Embassy, we are glad to be part of this.” – Marten Menger, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Pretoria