Platoon announces Cape Town Creative Lab

15 October 2018 - Press release

Working to empower unsigned African artists including Shungudzo, Bantu, Dope Saint Jude, Dr Chaii, Kaien Cruz and Sipho The Gift
 
“One of the world’s most thought-provoking new music companies” – Music Business Worldwide
 
Earlier this year London-based PLATOON (Jorja Smith, YEBBA, Mr Eazi, Maleek Berry, Billie Eilish, Stefflon Don) announced its expansion into Africa as it launched PLATOON Africa in Cape Town, an artist services platform for independent African artists. Formed by South African born entrepreneur and music industry veteran Denzyl Feigelson, PLATOON Africa’s first decisive action was the development of the Cape Town Creative Lab (CTCL).
 
Choosing three from South Africa (Dope Saint Jude, Kaien Cruz, Sipho The Gift) and three from Zimbabwe (Shungudzo, Bantu, Dr Chaii), PLATOON powered by Apple Music invited the six unsigned African artists to Mothership Studios in Philadelphia in the Western Cape for a week-long Creative Lab where each act got the chance to record a new single for international release in a world class recording facility. To help promote and support their release, they were also given access to the finest local creative talent including photographers, video directors and stylists.
 
Born out of PLATOON’s penchant for practicing innovative and philanthropic methods to develop new artists, the CTCL is just one of a series of labs the company has held around the world to help uncover, discover and showcase new talent within a region. Speaking on the Cape Town instalment, the CEO of PLATOON UK & Africa Denzyl Feigelson says:
 
“We started with a long list of performers and narrowed it down to six fantastic artists. We worked hard on finding the right teams to work with each of them. The week is part of a journey, it doesn’t stop here. The Lab is just the beginning for these performers.”
 
Alongside photoshoots, performance video shoots, artist interviews, whiteboard sessions and media training, the CTCL also featured daily mentoring sessions with some leading music industry figures. Those involved included legendary producer Nile Rodgers; award-winning songwriter John Ryan (Maroon 5/One Direction/Charlie Puth), Apple Music Up Next artist Mr Eazi; Beats 1’s Kat Wong and Ebro Darden; Alec Boateng (head of A&R Atlantic Records UK); Alex Boateng (head of A&R Island Records UK); Aton Ben-Horin (global Vice President A&R - Warner Music Group); Taponeswa Mavunga (head of Publicity Columbia Records UK), Merck Mercuriadis (Hipgnosis Music) and Kwame Kwaten (Artist Manager and Vice Chairman Music Managers Forum).
 
The end result was a life changing experience. The artists all left the CTCL with a great new single, fantastic media packs and an increased understanding on how the music industry works.
 
Starting at the end of August, each single from the project will be released on a weekly basis available on Apple Music and all other DSPs.
 
CAPE TOWN LAB PROJECT RELEASE SCHEDULE
Shungudzo ‘Paper’ – 31st August
Sipho the Gift ‘Hold Up’ – 7th September
Dope Saint Jude ‘Girl Like’ – 14th September
Dr Chaii ‘Bongo’ – 21st September
Kaien Cruz ‘Dangerous’ – 28th September
Bantu ‘Remedy’ – 5th October