Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Rising hip-hop protege RayKaz has doubled down on his efforts at carving a solid image and reputation for himself by joining several artistes and arts industry players at Africa’s biggest music festival, the Access Music Festival 2023 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Run by Music In Africa, ACCES 2023 kicked off on Thursday at Warehouse in Dar es Salaam with the first night of showcases featuring Leo Mkanyia (Tanzania), Zolani Mahola & The Feminine Force (South Africa), Esinam (Ghana/Belgium), Balaa MC (Tanzania) and Kadilida (Tanzania). On Friday morning, the festival was scheduled to move to Mlimani City Conference Centre for a raft of panel discussions, workshops, as well as a keynote by South African superstar Sho Madjozi.
Speaking on the sidelines of the festival, Raykaz emphasised the need for more than just performing as an artiste, highlighting the importance of learning the craft of managing arts as a business.
“My passion for music goes beyond making music. What good is good music when you don’t learn the fundamentals of management, because a holistic appreciation of music as both art and a business has been the missing link in a number of artistes, even back home in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Apart from performances, where his compatriot Feli Nandi is also expected to grace the stage, the festival creates a platform for didactic approaches that also teach artistes and arts practitioners through seminars, workshops as well as interaction with musicians and managers from all walks of life.
“I am heading towards recording and releasing an album as a major milestone next year and learning to strengthen my appreciation of musical fundamentals is important now more than ever.
Raykaz has been celebrated for his deep, didactic and intelligent lyrics which spell the advent of a hip-hop genius with an intelligent head on his shoulders.
Access 2023 runs until Saturday, November 11.
