The East African Business Times sits down with Kayode Adebayo, the visionary behind Ckrowd, a platform revolutionizing how African music industry professionals connect with global opportunities.
In this exclusive Q&A, Adebayo discusses the platform’s unique approach, its impact on the African creative landscape, and his vision for the future of the industry.
Ckrowd Team
The East African Business Times (EABT): What inspired you to create Ckrowd, and what is your vision for the platform?
Kayode Adebayo (KA): I’ve always been passionate about supporting Africa’s creative sector. Seeing the immense talent within the music industry, coupled with the challenges they faced accessing global opportunities, inspired me to create Ckrowd. Our vision is to empower African Creative Industry Professionals, enabling them to work with the best global music companies without having to leave the continent.
We facilitate this by connecting international music businesses seeking diverse, high-quality talent with verified African professionals. This creates a win-win situation, fostering cost-effective operations for businesses and career growth for African professionals.
EABT: African creators often face challenges like inadequate IP protection and limited monetization. How does Ckrowd address these issues?
KA: Ckrowd focuses on empowering the vital support system behind content creators – the video editors, social media managers, lawyers, and artist managers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. We understand that a successful creator relies on a network of skilled professionals.
Ckrowd trains, professionalizes, and verifies these talents within the music ecosystem, connecting them with global opportunities and ensuring they receive appropriate compensation for their expertise. We also collaborate with Arts Connects Africa (ACA), a global music professionals network, to further enhance training and educational resources.
EABT: Ckrowd promotes unique African content. Can you elaborate on what sets your platform apart from other streaming services?
KA: Ckrowd isn’t a traditional streaming service. Our platform showcases a diverse range of Music Industry Professionals, highlighting their projects, training, ratings, and verification documents.
We then match these professionals with career growth and earning opportunities within the Global Music Market. This unique focus on talent connection, rather than content distribution, sets us apart.
EABT: How does Ckrowd empower creators to monetize their work? What revenue models are available?
KA: Ckrowd focuses heavily on upskilling Music Industry Professionals. We partner with professional training institutes across Africa with established global reputations, ensuring professionals receive top-quality training. This enhanced skillset allows them to secure higher-paying jobs and contracts.
The global success of Afrobeats and Amapiano has put a spotlight on the African music ecosystem, and Ckrowd is here to ensure this translates into tangible financial opportunities.
EABT: How does Ckrowd promote African culture and education globally? Can you share any success stories?
KA: We connect professionals like DJs, publicists, video editors, and content strategists with businesses in the US, UK, Canada, and South Africa.
Many of our clients are associated with Arts Connect Africa (ACA). These partnerships expose international businesses to the unique perspectives and experiences of African professionals, enriching their work. One success story involves DJ Neptune, a top African DJ whom we connected with an ACA client curating an annual music festival in Harare, Zimbabwe. This provided DJ Neptune with valuable international exposure and brought his talent to a new audience.
EABT: How does Ckrowd address the challenges of internet connectivity in Africa?
KA: Our platform primarily profiles professionals and connects them with opportunities, leveraging AI for efficient matching. This focus on talent connection, rather than content streaming, minimizes reliance on consistent high-bandwidth internet.
EABT: Where do you see the future of content creation in Africa, and how is Ckrowd positioned?
KA: By 2035, Africa will have the world’s youngest population, representing a vast talent pool. Investing in youth education is crucial for unlocking this potential. The global business outsourcing market is enormous, and Africa has the opportunity to become a major player. Ckrowd and ACA are working together to equip young Africans with the skills they need to thrive in this market.
EABT: How does Ckrowd engage with its community?
KA: We offer training programs, partnerships, and competitions in collaboration with partners across Africa and globally to keep our community of music professionals engaged and active. This fosters collaboration and provides valuable feedback channels.
EABT: What role should investors and tech enterprises play in supporting African content creators?
KA: The African technology landscape is rapidly evolving. Increased investment in African startups is crucial. We’re optimistic about the continued growth of investor interest, fueled by the rising recognition of Africa’s potential, as exemplified by Nigeria’s ranking as the 6th most influential soft power market in 2024.
EABT: What are the next steps for Ckrowd in expanding its reach and impact?
KA: We’ve built a substantial database of Music Industry Professionals across Africa and are actively pursuing partnerships focused on professional training. Our collaborations include networks like Art Connects Africa and training institutions like Sarz Academy and Purple Blue Academy.
EABT: Finally, tell us a bit about yourself and your journey.
KA: I studied Estate Management and have developed businesses across construction, hospitality, media, and technology. My passion lies in supporting Africa’s creative sector. I believe that empowering creative industry professionals will significantly enrich the creative output from Africa, contributing to a more vibrant and globally recognized creative landscape.
