Warner Music Africa Francophone Celebrates Launch with Historic Songwriting Camp in Abidjan
Warner Music Africa Francophone (WM AFR) proudly hosted its first-ever songwriting camp, Warner Music Camp Babi, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across the continent. The exclusive event brought together over 20 of Africa’s most talented artists, producers, and songwriters for an immersive creative experience, officially launching WM AFR’s new venture.
Exclusive Songwriting Camp Brings Together Leading Artists and Talent
Over three days, renowned artists will collaborate to produce groundbreaking tracks at Abidjan’s Villa Tahiba, including:
- Black K
- Ch’cco
- Herc Cut The Lights
- Hyce
- Jeriq
- Kold AF
- Kouz1
- Paulo Chakal
- Ste Milano
- Yumbs
The camp also welcomed a diverse array of talent such as:
- Akim
- Ayanne
- Beeztrap
- Dorty
- G6$
- Kemuel
- Kiff No Beat
- Mac Abel
- Mr. Behi
- Nikanor
- Remy Baggins
- Shaun
- Spy Shitta
- Suspect 95
- Tamsir
- Yilim
Strengthening connections between Côte d’Ivoire, the Francophone region, and the broader African music landscape.
Official Launch Event Unites Key Industry Leaders and Political Figures
The songwriting camp culminated in the official launch event for WM AFR, uniting key industry leaders, including Warner Music Africa Managing Director Temi Adeniji, Africori CEO Yoel Kenan, and Warner Music France President Alain Veille. High-profile political figures and industry executives from across West Africa attended, with the Minister of Culture and Francophone Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire, Madame Françoise Remarck, affirming her ministry’s commitment to collaborating with WM AFR on innovative initiatives to discover and nurture local talent.
Marc-André Niang on the Mission of Warner Music Africa Francophone
Marc-André Niang, Co-Director of Warner Music Africa Francophone, emphasiSed the company’s mission: “The blueprint for Warner Music Africa Francophone was to connect the best French-speaking talent with the rest of Africa, so I’m proud to see us do just this at our first songwriting camp. This was a truly pan-African experience and certainly the first of its kind in Francophone Africa.”
Yoann Chapalain Reflects on the Diverse Impact of the Songwriting Camp
Yoann Chapalain, Co-Director of Warner Music Africa Francophone, echoed the sentiment: “Bringing together such a diverse mix of artists in Abidjan has been a powerful experience. Warner Music Africa Francophone is not just about signing talent; it’s about fostering collaborations and creating pathways between Francophone artists and the broader African music scene. We are deeply grateful to Alain, Temi, and Yoel for their support in realizing our creative vision.”
French-Language Music on the Rise: A Global Phenomenon
French-language music continues to soar globally, with streams exceeding 83 million hours across 180 countries in 2024, demonstrating the genre’s growing influence. Spotify reported that between August 2023 and July 2024, over 100 million users worldwide engaged with French-language audio content, solidifying the role of Francophone music in shaping Africa’s cultural and musical evolution.
WM AFR’s launch signifies a new chapter in Africa’s music industry, paving the way for cross-continental collaborations and a thriving future for Francophone artists.
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