The Director General of Universal Music Africa, Franck-Alcide Kacou, has revealed why the record company recorded an EP featuring various celebrated African musicians ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in January 2024.
It is the first time that an EP will be recorded and dedicated to the AFCON.
The six-track EP features several African artistes such as Yemi Alade, Magic System, Didi B, Roselyne, Layo, Serge Beynaud, Kerozen, CYsoul, Vegedream, Ayanne, Kaaris, Josey, and others.
Yemi Alade, who is the only Nigerian on the list, is featured alongside Magic System and Mohammed Ramadan on the track ‘Akwaba’.
One of the tracks on the EP is the anthem for the AFCON 2024, titled ‘Akwaba,’ meaning ‘welcome’ in Baoule, a language spoken in central and southern Ivory Coast.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Kacou said that the company decided to take a different approach this time around and do something that would outlive the competition.
He said, “We wanted to have a different approach from what has been done so far around the previous AFCONS’ anthems. Treat this one like an actual music project that could be the soundtrack of the competition and still live once It’s done.”
“We had a whole plan from the first quarter of 2023 and we rolled it out perfectly with the help of the artists, the CAF and the local organisational committee. The people have been embracing the anthem and its video so far, like never before in the history of AFCONs and I’m sure the EP is going to help amplify the impact globally”.
Mr Kacou said that he thinks music and football can be harnessed to push a positive narrative for Africa and Africans.
He said, “We can’t disconnect football and sports in general from lifestyle or entertainment anymore. Especially on the continent today. The audiences are usually the same, the success stories are usually linked, and all industries can benefit from this global narrative. “
“We’ve witnessed how Roc Nation went from managing artists to adding sportsmen and women to their roster. I believe this is where we’re heading more and more, and Africa is a fertile field for such a model”.
Mr Kacou said that the EP pays tribute to the cultural diversity of the continent and the warm welcome of the land of Eburnie.
“ It is an explosion of rhythms and melodies embodying the unique spirit of hospitality, passion and celebration. It is carried by the incredible artistic talent of superstars and this musical work is the sounding box of cultural richness and melodious generosity of a continent ready to party.”
Reflecting on the production of the EP, Mr Kacou said that bringing the artistes together was an amazing experience that came out great.
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“Everybody came together as one team just like a football match by the way and played his/her role for the sake of the project, and the competition. It was actually easier than expected to produce the EP. We’re fortunate to have been able to pilot this”.
As the football fiesta approaches, the label has released the EP for streaming on all platforms.
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