How we can build Port Harcourt music industry.
All this are prerequisites to a “lively scene,” and combining this contributions to the Afrobeats - the country’s biggest genre. Which has given birth to Port Harcourt icons like Grammy award winning
By Garickplugs
As we all know, music and entertainment has been one of our country’s prized national assets. Sadly, Port Harcourt city is not one of the music and entertainment capital despite it’s sizable audience that supports music. With a streaming ready listeners, frequent concert-attending audience, growing local media communities like Port Harcourt Gist community; recently established via Facebook that has been supportive of the music and creative scene and more.
Several talents in the pipeline with potentials to continue producing global stars like Omah Lay, 1Da Banton, Burna Boy and co. Also, an army of highly skilled entertainment professionals included on the list, an audience hungry for the dynamic culture alongside enlightenment. All this are prerequisites for a a “lively scene,” and Port Harcourt has not been found wanting.
Combining this contributions to the growing Afrobeats genre. One of the country’s biggest music forces, which has been dominant, giving birth to fresh Port Harcourt icons like the Grammy award winning — Burna Boy. The chart topping Omah Lay. Also, one of the national best duo — Ajebo hustlers and one Nigeria’s top notch tiktok and Shazam artist 1da Banton etc.
However, for us to propel the soundscape towards building to develop a music and entertainment friendly ecosystem within Port Harcourt. One that can thrive to offer traction from other countries and stateside. It is vital that the Rivers State government works with local music and entertainment communities.
Those with goal and achieveable visions hoping to foster a better entertainment stratosphere. With major assistance from Government parastatals to project and also nurture the music industry, it could become better through the following;
—Securing and promoting music made in PH city: Protect intellectual property, establish a transitional support fund, increase support programmes to various effective goal oriented creative communities.
—Incentivie music activity: create a fiscal incentive to encourage new Port Harcourt music production.
—Support music spaces throughout Port Harcourt: due to the rising inflation reduce VAT, introduce business rates cuts to assist the growth of fast rising Port Harcourt based creators.
—Building PH music careers and skills: by introducing learning programmes and tech skills acquisition to step acts and creatives into acquiring recent knowledge and informations.
—Build a physical touch point for the music and entertainment communities: something like Silicon valley or Wall Street for music and entertainment enthusiats. With ventures like this, it would further create an atmosphere supportive of creatives arts and entertainment.
—Establish a government-industry working group on sustainability and appoint a commissioner to ensure music is included in health and social care provision.
Also, “The Mastering of a Music city report” by the global music industry body, IFPI can also help as a road map to reach the music city goals. It gives better insights on how to build a stronger and more lively music community. You can as well check it out via Google.
In conclusion, a vibrant music and entertainment economy in return can provide job creation, tourism development that strengthens the city’s brand which can attract investors, and build a healthy social, cultural and economic growths. So I am using this opportunity to call on the government, effective entertainment and music communities, investors, aspiring executives ready to do amazing things, Port Harcourt city is the next stop.
TWITTER/INSTAGRAM @Garickplugs
LinkedIn - Garick Mbor.