Championing the next generation of Afrobeats industry leaders: Mavin unveils second cohort of Mavin Future Five

15 November 2023 - Press release

The biggest and most influential independent Afrobeats label Mavin Records announced today the second cohort of its Mavin Future Five talent programme.

Launched in 2021, Mavin Future Five is a talent programme that offers five aspiring music industry professionals the opportunity to learn about the music business via hands-on participation in the label’s day-to-day running via internships across Digital, A&R, New Business, PR & Promotions and Creative Marketing. 

The programme is a first in the Africa entertainment industry and sees Mavin continue to support the future growth and scaleability of the Afrobeats scene, creating structures for career progression for young people into the industry where previously there was a gap, by investing in bringing through next generation industry talent.

In May of this year, Mavin opened the second round of Mavin Future Five for applications, and is proud to announce that the next set of beneficiaries are Precious Kassie (Creative Marketing), Akinwunmi Popoola (Digital Content), Toyin Ajewole (Partnerships), Christabel Rapuluchukwu (A&R), Success Odugala (Promotions).

The programme is aimed at preparing the next generation of Afrobeats industry executives by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to innovate in ideas and processes that can further improve the genre - both sonically and commercially. As well as working alongside the talent Mavin label team, the inaugural set of the Mavin Future Five programme received mentorship from an array of music industry experts such as Asa Asika, Osi Suave, Efe Omoregbe, Temi Adeniji, Alexander ‘Andre Vibez’ Uwaifo, Jade Busola amongst others.

Mavin’s Director of Operations, Jennifer Imion said “This year, we had over double the number of applicants, which shows how much a programme like Mavin Future Five is needed in the industry here in Nigeria. We were looking at hundreds of applications and it wasn’t easy choosing the final five with such a volume of high quality applications. Mavin aims to properly integrate each of our five exceptional candidates into the business and help them realise their full potential, as part of our ongoing commitment to championing next-generation talent. They are diamonds in the rough and all have the potential to be brilliant future leaders of this industry. We look forward to seeing what they’re capable of.”

‘‘One of our major criteria is passion and a willingness to learn. We are looking to equip future entrepreneurs and music business professionals with transferable knowledge that can help them forge a career path and secure the future of the music business” Tega Oghenejobo, COO of Mavin Global said “We are really passionate about educating and training the incoming generation. Right now in Nigeria, you cannot go to college to learn the music business and there are few routes into the industry for young talent. This is the gap that we look to highlight and help solve in our way with the Mavin Future Five programme.” 

As Mavin Records continues to lay down the marker for what collaborative growth and innovation should look like in the industry, the label founder and CEO, Don Jazzy is further inspired to do more; “I’m excited about the Mavin Future Five programme and the growth of the past beneficiaries. I stay in touch with them after the programme and they’re doing brilliant things and continue to have a relationship with Mavin. We look to support more young people in the ecosystem who are resolute in their commitment to growing and advancing this industry.”