Mr. Eazi launches 'EmPawa' to generate funds for budding artistes

Ghanaian-based Nigerian musician Mr. Eazi has launched a mentorship and funding programme aimed at supporting young and upcoming artistes in Africa. The programme, with an annual funding of $300,000, would be used to shoot music videos as well as create platforms for artistes to be mentored and taught more on their act. Some 100 emerging artistes will be selected annually across Africa to benefit from the programme. Out of the 100, a shortlist of 10 will be taken through a three-week intensive mentorship programme with artistes from across Africa in a boot camp in South Africa. Interested artistes are expected to record a video of themselves singing their songs, and post it on social media with the hashtag #EmPawa to stand the chance of being selected. The platform covers seven countries across Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. Speaking at an event in Accra to launch the program, Mr. Eazi said the decision to help young artistes is borne out of his personal journey. “What really inspired this is that I feel like everything started from videos for me, and so I feel that it is very important, and that is one of the things that an artiste needs. “With EmPawa Music, what we want to do this year is that we want to shoot hundred videos for one hundred artistes across Africa.” Mr. Eazi indicated that they would not only help with shooting videos, but will ensure that these videos are promoted on various platforms across the world. By Irene Amesimeku| 3news.com| Ghana]]>