STREAMING PLATFORMS
This conference introduces you to NIX, artist, cultural entrepreneur and co-founder of streaming platform Deedo. He guides you through the international and African streaming industry, and homes in on the story of Deedo: the first pan-African music streaming platform, a free and on-demand service available on smartphone and tablet via an app (iOS and Android). Deedo catalogues more than 14 million African and international music titles and offers a user experience that is adapted to the continent, but also used in western countries. This allows the platform to reach the diaspora and to diversify the fan base of its artists. Deedo is a 360° service; besides the streaming app, it consists of the following:
- Deedo Distrubution: a digital distribution platform allowing independent artists to broadcast their songs on Deedo and other streaming platforms.
- Deedo Dakar Studio: a creative hub and recording studio in Senegal.
- Deedo Records: an independent label helping artists to produce records and develop their careers.
The presentation will be followed by a public Q&A.
CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AFRICA
During the second part of the conference, NIX will expand on his own experiences with cultural entrepreneurship in Africa. Born in Dakar in 1978 as Nicolas Omar Diop, he would later become rapper and entrepreneur NIX. In 2003 he released his first solo album Black Crystal, which was warmly received in French-speaking West Africa. He has lived through every era of Senegalese and African hip-hop and has 8 musical projects to his name as well as 14 award nominations, six of which he brought home. He has collaborated with, amongst others, Disiz, Oxmo Puccino, Wyclef, Jerry Wonda, Daara J Family & Omzo Dollar.
After his presentation, other cultural entrepreneurs will share their stories and experiences with cultural entrepreneurship in Africa, also followed by a public Q&A.
VIRGO: LONG STORY SHORT
This short film (13 minutes) was inspired by NIX’s latest project, the EP Virgo. The film features a fictional story written by NIX and Shawny Ocho, a French creator and photographer originally from Côte d’Ivoire, and was filmed by Seyni Ba and Makhfou, Senegalese creators and photographers.
The film centres on NIX’s relationships with women. The film, recorded between Dakar and Casamance in the south of Senegal, immerses the audience in the thoughts and memories of an artist who tries to build himself up again amidst the rubble of a break-up. NIX plays himself opposite Coco Cissoko, a Senegalese American singer who is also featured on the EP Virgo.
