Billboard has officially launched Billboard Africa—a dedicated platform designed to elevate African music, culture, and voices on a global stage.
The announcement came during Billboard’s first-ever Global Power Players event at Shoreditch House in East London on Wednesday evening, where the brand’s editorial director Hannah Karp shared the news with an audience of music executives, artists, and cultural leaders. The moment was further marked by the introduction of Billboard Africa’sincoming editor, Nkosiyati “Yati” Khumalo, who had the honor of presenting Nigerian singer Tems with Billboard’s prestigious Diamond Award.
“We’re deeply committed to telling the stories that define music around the world,” said Billboard CEO Mike Van. “Billboard Africa is more than a new platform—it’s a celebration of African creativity, its rich cultural roots, and the extraordinary impact it continues to make globally. This is a huge step in creating space for African artists to reach new heights and new audiences.”
A New Home for Africa’s Sound
Billboard Africa will serve as a hub for all things African music—offering everything from original editorials, exclusive interviews, charts, and music video releases to real-time industry updates and live events. The goal is simple yet ambitious: create a platform that not only documents but actively participates in the rise of African music on the world stage.
From Afrobeats to Amapiano, the continent has birthed genres and sounds that now dominate playlists and festivals worldwide. Billboard’s expansion aims to offer a structured space to honor that influence, chart its growth, and empower its future.
The launch is as much about visibility as it is about impact. According to Global Venture Partners CEO Brandon Martin, the initiative isn’t just editorial—it’s strategic.
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“Our investment in Billboard Africa is a recognition of the continent’s incredible potential,” said Martin. “African music has shaped culture in profound ways, and we believe it’s time that infrastructure caught up with that influence. This isn’t just about building a brand, It’s about building an ecosystem where talent can grow, thrive, and stay rooted in the communities that shaped it.”
Martin emphasized that Billboard Africa is also a call to the global African diaspora to reinvest in the continent’s booming creative industries. “If we work together—artists, investors, fans—we can not only showcase Africa’s genius to the world, but also strengthen local economies and empower the next generation of creatives.”
More Than Music
While the core of Billboard Africa is music, the platform also aims to capture the broader cultural conversation—fashion, identity, storytelling, and innovation—all of which are deeply intertwined with Africa’s sonic evolution.
Khumalo, the newly appointed editor, summed up the vision in one line during his introduction: “This is about honoring the past, celebrating the present, and shaping the future of African music.”
With the backing of a global giant like Billboard and the strategic insight of Global Venture Partners, Billboard Africa may well become the most influential cultural voice on the continent—an amplifier not just of music, but of the movement behind it.
