Spotify has announced a new investment in Vibrate Space from its Creator Equity Fund to help emerging artists in Ghana.
Vibrate Space is a non-profit organization that provides young Ghanaian musicians with the tools and skills they need to succeed in the music industry. Surf Ghana operates a community recording studio and music business program in Accra, offering education, mentorship, and space to the country’s young artists.
Spotify first collaborated with Vibrate in September 2022 with a donation that facilitated the studio’s launch. Vibrate has registered over 200 studio bookings in the last six months and hosted many more creators for events and classes.
Spotify is making a significant donation from its Creator Equity Fund to help Vibrate achieve its ambitious plans to grow and support Ghana’s creative economy over a number of years.
“Since Spotify’s arrival in Africa five years ago, we have worked to identify opportunities to support artists in ways that speak directly to each of our markets,” said Phiona Okumu, Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In addition to the on-platform work we do in Ghana, the partnership with Vibrate allows us to continue supporting emerging artists and cultural entrepreneurs in Ghana.”
Spotify’s Global Head of Artist and Audience Partners Joe Hadley announced the most recent donation today at an event at Surf Ghana. “With our Creator Equity Fund, Spotify is proud to continue our efforts to support and elevate creatives.” I’m thrilled to announce that a donation from that fund will be made to the Vibrate Space in Accra, Ghana. They have been incredible partners to us, consistently investing in the local community and creating a space for artists to collaborate and grow creatively. We’re excited to hear the music, stories, and success that Vibrate will produce.”
The donation will be distributed over several years, allowing the organization to collaborate with and support even more aspiring young artists looking to launch their careers.
Vibrate’s plans for using the additional funding for artist support include hosting a festival at the space at the end of the year, assisting artists in organizing their own events, and establishing a youth hostel where young people can find affordable, short-term housing while also experiencing the collaborative and community aspects of Vibrate. The organization also plans to launch an artist-in-residence and exchange program to foster creativity, collaboration, and cultural exchange, as well as a women’s program to help women advance in the industry.
They also plan to expand their educational offerings by extending their highly successful monthly masterclasses for another two years and launching a three-month instrument learning program that will begin with piano lessons and progress to other instruments.
Sandy Alibo, the founder and director of Surf Ghana, stated, “We are delighted to be working with Spotify.” They are extremely supportive of the alternative scene, which is something that not every brand understands. We work with young and emerging artists and creators who want to make a name for themselves in the music industry, and Spotify is a brand that speaks to young people and has played an important role in bringing African and Ghanaian music to a global audience.”
