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About Us

About Us

The Music Imbizo is ...

The Music Imbizo is for anyone passionate about music as an art, business, and cultural force. It brings together musicians, industry professionals, aspiring creatives, entrepreneurs, cultural practitioners, policymakers, media, and fans. Whether you’re looking to learn about the business of music, explore global trends, connect with industry leaders, or discover new talent, The Music Imbizo provides valuable insights, networking opportunities, and tools to help you grow in the music and creative industries.

Networking

The Music Imbizo is a hub for connecting with industry professionals, artists, and creatives from across the globe. It provides a platform to meet record label executives, managers, producers, policymakers, and cultural practitioners in an environment designed to foster meaningful conversations and collaborations. Whether you’re an emerging artist or an established industry player, the event offers unmatched opportunities to build valuable relationships and grow your network.

Learning and Education

Through workshops, panel discussions, and keynote addresses, The Music Imbizo empowers attendees with practical knowledge and industry insights. Topics range from intellectual property and music marketing to innovations in technology and global trends shaping the music business. For students, aspiring creatives, and professionals alike, the event offers an invaluable chance to learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry.

Showcasing Talent

The Music Imbizo is a stage for emerging and established talent to shine. With live showcases, competitions, and new music listening sessions, artists have the opportunity to present their work to audiences that include industry professionals and fans. This exposure opens doors for new opportunities, collaborations, and fan engagement while celebrating diverse musical styles from Africa and beyond.

Cultural Exchange and Innovation

The conference celebrates the intersection of African culture, creativity, and innovation. Through discussions, performances, and film screenings, The Music Imbizo emphasizes how culture drives creativity and innovation in the music industry. It’s a space to explore how African music and culture influence global trends while fostering a sense of pride and identity.

Business Development

As its tagline, “Music Is Business To My Ears,” suggests, The Music Imbizo is deeply focused on the business side of music. The conference equips artists, entrepreneurs, and startups with tools to navigate the industry, monetize their craft, and build sustainable careers. From understanding intellectual property to exploring funding opportunities, The Music Imbizo provides actionable strategies for growth.

Celebrating Creativity and Community

At its core, The Music Imbizo is a celebration of music, creativity, and community. It creates a space where artists, industry professionals, and audiences can come together to share ideas, inspire one another, and collectively shape the future of music. The event highlights the collaborative spirit of the creative community and its power to drive social and economic change.

About the year before ...

The Music Imbizo 2024 was a vibrant and dynamic international music business conference held in Durban, South Africa, from August 27-31, 2024, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) and other satellite venues around the city. The theme, “Building a Sound Future,” set the tone for discussions around the evolution of the music industry, innovation, and the importance of fostering sustainable careers for creatives.

Themes in the previous years ...

The Music Imbizo has been hosted annually for the past 16 years, each year under a unique theme, and these are the themes from the last nine years. Each theme reflects The Music Imbizo’s commitment to addressing timely and impactful issues in the music industry while highlighting African music's unique contributions and global potential.

Welcome to The Music Imbizo.

26 – 30 August, Durban ICC (Durban – South Africa)

 

Theme: “The Root to Innovation is Culture, Creativity and the power of IP”