Organized by business incubation platform, Instig Labs, and technology outfit, SLOT Africa, the hybrid workshop featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, a data visualization competition, and networking opportunities.

Moderated by Instig Lab’s Michael Osumo and SLOT Africa’s Susan Tejuosho, the workshop dissected and analyzed several issues facing the music industry with regards to data, tech and AI.

The facilitators discussed the role of data and AI in the emerging African music landscape, the need for stakeholders to create platforms to utilize the technology trend, and legal issues such as copyright and collaborations in the emerging ecosystem.

“Gone are those days when success relies solely on instinct and luck, now we have an ocean of data and valuable insights that have transformed the way we make and market music”,

said Ezinne Okeke, who analyses data to predict trends for music marketing at Mavin Global, one of Nigeria’s biggest record labels.

Data analysis is like looking into a magical telescope to understand how people access music. Through data analysis we gain an understanding of our listeners, their preferences, and even the emotions they seek when listening to music. Like a map, this data points us in the right direction to create actual music that resonates with our audiences.

Gilbert Bani, a recording artist, founder and music manager, gave insights into a scientific approach to the music business that enables success through a three-stage process; Acquisition, Retention and Revenue.

According to Bani, ‘a music artist should be seen as a brand or a business with a corporate identity.”

Describing a proposed role which he called the ‘Music Product Manager’, Bani canvassed for the creation of a technology platform that can manage various aspects of the music business.

“AI is an assistive tool rather than something that takes over the entire process”, said Eclipse Nkasi, founder of Wakati Media, an outfit that produces and promotes music utilizing AI.

Nkasi described the process he took to produce and market a music album titled ‘Infinite Echoes’ which involved the creation of an AI musician called Mya Blue.

According to Nkasi, “The conversations we have are important but what is more important to me is that we communicate in a way that is relatable and easy to digest. The subject of data as it affects music is one that cannot be over emphasized. The goal is to help more artists grow in knowledge.”

Other facilitators include Aashay Jain, a data and machine learning engineer, who spoke on valuable skills to be acquired for relevance in the AI space, and Lola Oyedele, entertainment property lawyer and Partner, Technolawgical, who explored legal issues arising in the emerging AI-powered music space.

“AI is set to change the way we do several things, including the production and promotion of music. Whilst Africa still lags behind in infrastructure, we must begin to figure out how to stay competitive and succeed in the emerging trend,” said Chukwuerika Achum, founder of business incubation outfit, The Adrenalina, which powers the instig Labs platform.

Achum added that Music Meets Data is only first in a series of projects designed to facilitate deliberations on the enhancement of various industries with AI and digital transformation, in collaboration with partners.

Facts about Instig Labs

• Instig Labs is a business incubation platform that provides a watering bed for pre-seed startups in the tech space through various support systems.
• Pan-African, sector agnostic, and technology-focused, Instig Labs aims to facilitate investment funds for at least 10 startups and create over 200 jobs by the end of 2024.

SLOT Africa

• SLOT is a space that provides a platform for AI enthusiasts and researchers to learn, build, compete and get global jobs/funding.

Tagged ‘Music Meets Data,’ the free conference slated for Saturday, July 29, 2023, 11:00 AM WAT (GMT +1) will be a hybrid event with participants joining both online and physically at The Adrenaline Coworking Space, Yaba, Lagos. The event, which also marks the launch of Instig Labs, will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, a demo workshop for data visualization, and networking opportunities. In addition, Instig Labs is offering free training courses on select tech skills via its social media handle, @InstigLabs.  

“Music Meets Data will provide a forum for attendees to learn about the need for infrastructure, tech advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for music, share their own research and ideas, and collaborate on new projects,” said Michael Osumo, Program Manager, InstigLabs.

Expected speakers at the event include Keerti Agrawal, former senior data scientist at Spotify and Co-founder, Aagmann AI Labs; Ezinne O, Data Scientist at Mavin; Gilbert Bani(A-Q), recording artist and founder, ConnectHead; Olajumoke Olayiwola, General Secretary of the Sarz Academy; and Lola Oyedele, entertainment property lawyer and Partner, Technolawgical. 

Nigeria is currently experiencing a technological revolution that has helped the country’s artists impact the global charts. Artists like Rema, Tems and Ckay have attained global prominence by maximizing digital technology. Specifically, data science is becoming increasingly useful to music promoters in targeting audiences.

According to Gilbert Bani, one of the speakers at the upcoming conference, data application in the Nigerian music industry is still at infancy.

“There is a wide gap to be filled in terms of opportunities available to leverage data science and analysis in the music business. The conference will provide useful insights for musicians and music industry professionals who are interested in using data and AI to enhance their creative process or to reach a wider audience,” said Bani.

Instig Labs is powered by The Adrenalina, a business incubation outfit and coworking space that helps entrepreneurs grow and succeed by facilitating access to workspace, finance, training and collaborations.

“Instig Labs reflects our commitment to the growth of innovation and enterprise in Africa, and Music Meets Data will be the first in a series of projects designed to facilitate deliberations on the enhancement of various industries with AI and digital transformation, in collaboration with our partners,” said Chukwuerika Achum, founder of The Adrenalina.

According to Susan Tejuosho, founder S.L.O.T (Shining Light On Talent) Africa, “Music Meets Data is the first of its kind in Nigeria. The partnership between InstigLabs and S.L.O.T Africa is a natural fit. Both organizations are committed to innovation and creativity, and we share a similar vision for the future. We believe that AI has the potential to revolutionize any industry, and are excited to work together to bring about this change.” 

“In addition to music industry players, the conference will also attract Google dev ops and AI/ML researchers as well as developers who are working on data-driven applications such as music composition, music generation, and music analysis,” Tejosho added.

How to Register

Interested participants can register here.