Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) is excited to announce key updates for its 2025 edition, including a new venue, new dates, and an expanded industry lineup.
After years of searching for the perfect home, ARMC is proud to announce that its new venue will be Constitution Hill—a powerful symbol of South Africa’s journey to democracy. This move reflects ARMC’s commitment to fostering meaningful conversations about the future of African music within a space that holds deep cultural and historical significance. Another major update is ARMC’s date change to the 22 & 23 May 2025, aligning with long-standing partner Bassline Fest to amplify impact and create a more dynamic music industry experience. ARMC continues to make a lasting impact on the creative and music industries, generating over 140 job opportunities annually. At its core, ARMC is committed to fostering independence and empowering underrepresented voices, building bridges, and creating a platform where emerging talent and industry professionals can thrive.
“As ARMC continues to evolve, our move to Constitution Hill marks a significant milestone—one that we hope will be a lasting home for the conference in the years to come. As we scale, our focus is sharper than ever on impact—specifically, the economic influence we have on the music industry. Through the outcomes of our conference, we aim to deepen our understanding of how international markets operate while upskilling professionals at all levels with the knowledge we bring into Africa each year.” – SJ Nicholson, Founder of ARMC
First Speakers Announced
Each year, ARMC brings together key industry leaders from across Africa and beyond, facilitating meaningful conversations and collaborations. For 2025, the conference will feature an exciting lineup of thought leaders, artists, and innovators shaping the global music industry, including:
Rethabile Khumalo (ZA) – South African Singer/Songwriter and Director at WINNKAY MUSIC RECORDS & MANAGEMENT, Msaki (ZA) – a South African composer, singer, and songwriter, Sibu Mabena (ZA) – Founder of Duma Collective, South African Hip-Hop icon Jack Parow (ZA), Yvonne Chaka Chaka (ZA) – “Princess of Africa”, Charlotte Bwana (UK) – Vice President of Marketing (EU, Africa & MENA) at Audiomack, with expertise in global music marketing, Nick DeCosemo (UK) – Global Editorial Director at Wasted Talent – Mixmag, Phatstoki (ZA) – Co-Founder of P_ssy Party, Nickita Maesela (ZA) – City Manager Johannesburg at Resident Advisor, Jonathan Bandli (ZA) – Creative Director at Bad Weather Productions, an innovator in visual storytelling, Rehana Pillay (ZA) – General Manager at Mint Digital Services, Alan Freeman (ZA) – Director at Freeman House Recovery and more to be announced soon! These speakers represent the diverse and evolving landscape of the African and international music industries, covering topics such as artist development, streaming, marketing, mental health, and live events.
Key Partners
With a growing presence on the global music stage, ARMC 2025 is supported by top industry partners, including
AlphaTheta, who is collaborating with ARMC on pre-conference roadshows in Nairobi and Durban, as well as innovative DJ workshops in May, Paradise Worldwide, Mint Digital Services, Audiomack, Sealand Gear, MANZI Water, as well as media partners Music In Africa, HYPE Magazine, Resident Advisor and Rolling Stone Africa. These collaborations ensure that the conference continues to provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and exposure for emerging artists and music professionals. International artist mobility is supported by Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg, PRS Foundation and Pro Helvetia this year.
ARMC is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible platform that empowers African artists and industry professionals. The newly structured event dates also open opportunities for studio sessions, and additional industry meetups between Bassline Fest and MTN Bushfire Festival, making ARMC a key meeting point in the African music calendar.
Tickets
As ARMC continues to champion independent voices and underrepresented talent, the conference remains free to attend for those eager to engage, learn, and collaborate. For its 2025 ticketing, ARMC has implemented two different ticket tiers:
Tier 1: FREE 2-Day Conference Tickets (Access to conference panels only)
Tier 2: VIP Ticket (Access to all workshops as well as the VIP networking area, conference panels and nighttime showcases)
Phase 1 tickets are now available via this link: https://ra.co/events/2110727
Connect with us!
Jules Spielmann, ARMC Project Lead
Email: js@africarisingmusicconference.com
Instagram: @africa_rising_music_conference
Website: www.africarisingmusicconference.com
The post ARMC Announces New Dates, Venue, First Speakers, and Key Partners for 2025 appeared first on HYPE Magazine.
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