Music4Change launch report

12/11/07, 6pm, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

In attendance:

Anke Holst
Shade Ladipo
Wale Adesada
Agba Justin Jalingo
Michael Ruggedman
Carl Raccah
Ashionye
Olumide Falope
Artquake
Zaaki Azay
Solomon from Storm Records
Bouqui
Muma Gee
Psalmurai
Lamboginni
Steve Babaeko X3M Records
Etcetera
Opeyemi
Morachi
Konga
9ice
Alexis Onome-Egborge

Shade Ladipo compered the evening. We waited until 7 to kick off, media coverage was provided by MBI, NewAge, Tell Magazine. Anke gave a quick presentation of what Music4Change is looking at doing, covering the benefits offered to private and public sector stakeholders; Ruggedman gave a presentation on what Music4Change is looking at doing from an artist’s point of view.

The message of goodwill from Prof Pat Utomi, as well as the greeting of support from Big Screen TV’s Deji Falope in Abuja were played. We introduced our crew, Wale Adesada and Jalingo, who both gave short statements, and opened the floor for discussion.

Questions were asked on practical aspects of our projects – we introduced the flagship initiative called Project Area, by Ruggedman, with Lagos State Government in support, and spoke about other initiatives we are in talks about.

The discussion became very lively with views differing widely on issues like profane language, messages in songs, the pressures of the media, and artistes’ need to fulfil the popular demand. There was consent on the need for this initiative though and the support from the artist community was clear.

The evening closed with a message of thanks by Shade around 9pm.