Asake, BNXN, Gyakie… meet #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2023

Asake and BNXN are among the entertainers selected to represent Nigeria at the 2023 edition of the #YouTubeBlack Voices.

YouTube unveiled a cohort for the 2023 edition which comprises creators, music artistes, and producers from Africa on Wednesday.

Asake and BNXN are among the fast-rising artistes selected for the programme. Others on the list include Gyakie from Ghana and Kamo Mphela from South Africa.

The cohort will also include MashBeatz, the South African hip-hop producer, and Ukweli, the Nairobi-based producer.

According to YouTube, grantees will receive $20,000 and $50,000 as seed funding alongside other benefits during the one-year programme.

Speaking on the new cohort, Alex Okosi, managing director of emerging markets, YouTube EMEA, said the initiative would help spotlight the potential of those selected.

“We are excited about the creators, musical artists and producers from Africa joining others from across the world in the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund. The initiative is dedicated to equipping up-and-coming Black creators and artists with the resources to succeed on our platform,” he said.

This is the third edition of the initiative, which started in 2020.

The artistes, songwriters, and producers will be required to set goals, develop a content strategy, and engage with their fans on YouTube with the assistance of a YouTube partner manager.

Below is Africa’s full list of #YouTubeBlack Voices creator class of 2023 and their countries: