Award-winning South African producer and ‘Jerusalema’ hitmaker Master KG has been announced as one of the keynote speakers at this year’s Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES), which takes place at Sci-Bono and Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 25, 26 and 27 November 2021.
Master KG will take part in ACCES’ popular Conversation series on 27 November. The session, which is presented by Africori and Open-Mic Productions, will see the producer share his views, knowledge and experience in the music industry. He will also talk about the ‘Jerusalema’ global phenomenon and his current projects and collaborations.
Master KG joins previously announced South African musicians and industry players Busiswa, Slikour, Msaki, Gigi Lamayne and Priddy Ugly, who will also speak at the pan-African conference about their experience and knowledge of the music industry. Other speakers confirmed for ACCES 2021 include event producer and journalist Rashid Lombard (South Africa), musicians Vusi Mahlasela (South Africa) and Muzi (South Africa), Black Major’s Sevi Spanoudi (South Africa), Afro Nation Ghana producer Ruddy Kwakye (Ghana), Dakar Music Expo founder Dudu Sarr (Senegal) and Ongala Festival director Aziza Ongala (Tanzania), among many others.
Master KG is an inspiration to many music creators across the continent courtesy of his hit ‘Jerusalema’, which spurred the viral #JerusalemaDanceChallenge around he globe. The upbeat gospel-influenced house song featuring songstress Nomcebo Zikode topped the music charts in Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania and Switzerland, and became a household song in multiple other European countries.
This year, Spotify ranked Master KG as one of the most streamed South African musicians around the world. On YouTube, ‘Jerusalema’ has garnered more than 450 million views, while a remix of the song featuring Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has amassed more then 20 million views. Master KG has won accolades at the MTV Europe Music Awards, African Muzik Magazine Awards, Feather Awards and NRJ Music Awards in France where he triumphed over Nicki Minaj, Jason Derulo and The Weeknd in the International Song of the Year category.
The ACCES Conversation series have previously featured renowned artists and industry professionals like Sarkodie, Samini, Sway Dasafo, Mr Eazi, Blinky Bill, Blick Bassy, Efya, Skales and former Fela Kuti manager Rikki Stein. Featuring international speakers, networkers and showcasing artists, ACCES offers a strong conference programme that includes industry talks, pitch and networking sessions, workshops, exhibitions and music performances.
Performing artists confirmed for ACCES 2021 include Dendri Stambeli Movement (Tunisia), Wamwiduka Band (Tanzania), Yugen Blakrok (South Africa), Tommy WÁ (Ghana), Worlasi (Ghana), Thobile Makhoyane (South Africa), Msaki (South Africa), Urban Village (South Africa) and Diamond Thug (South Africa). ACCES is also partnering with the Bassline I AM HERE concert on 27 November to present Stogie T (South Africa), Thandiswa Mazwai (South Africa), Sampa the Great (Zambia), Laliboi (South Africa), Moonga K (Botswana), Morena Leraba (Lesotho) and Ikati Esengxoweni (South Africa). Sampa the Great and Yugen Blakrok’s perfomances at ACCES 2021 are presented by Reeperbahn Festival International. Registration for ACCES 2021 is mandatory and on a first-come, first-served basis. African delegates register for free.
About ACCES
ACCES is a pan-African trade event for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe. ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a non-profit and pan-African organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut and Reeperbahn Festival International.