About Us
Welcome to the Gauteng Hybrid Music Conference, a sequel to the successful North Hybrid Music Conference initiated by W9 Images in collaboration with TJK Concepts. Our goal is to create an educational platform that informs and empowers the youth in Soshanguve, Mabopane, Hebron, Ga Rankuwa, and Winterveld about the intricacies of the digital music world, highlighting both its advantages and challenges.
Focusing on the five corridors of Gauteng, our primary aim is to reach out to the youth in disadvantaged areas who lack resources and have limited exposure to the digital economy in the music industry. The conference will adopt a hybrid format, facilitating both physical and online participation to ensure inclusivity. Each corridor in Gauteng will host a segment of the event, allowing individuals to attend either in person or virtually, especially considering the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The global shift to the digital space, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has thrust the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) into the forefront. Unfortunately, this rapid transition has widened the digital divide. At the Gauteng Hybrid Music Conference, we aim to bridge this gap by providing valuable insights and opportunities for the youth to navigate the evolving landscape of the digital music industry.
Conference Details:
The inaugural Gauteng Hybrid Music Conference was held in Johannesburg at a Hotel Sky in Sandton on February 24, 2024, from 09:00 to 16:00. We had a staggering 120 physical attendees, with an 84 online audience to ensure inclusivity.
Expected Outcomes:
Hosting the Gauteng Hybrid Music Conference, we anticipate:
-Exposure to the music digital economy.
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Youth outreach and collaboration opportunities.
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Empowerment and engagement of South African youth in disadvantaged communities.
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Introduction to new digital trends and the use of music across various industries.
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Youth engagement in digital activities for improved livelihoods.
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Knowledge about intellectual property and copyright.
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Encouraging compliance and understanding music licenses.
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Facilitating future planning and life cover.
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Production of information and knowledge for enhanced youth empowerment.
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Lobbying key stakeholders to support and implement youth musical development programs.
Objectives:
Our mission encompasses various goals, including:
- Raising awareness about opportunities in the music sector.
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Encouraging youth participation in the musical digital economy.
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Promoting entrepreneurship and treating music as a business.
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Introducing different avenues for generating income through music, such as in gaming, animation, and movies.
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Creating awareness of the importance of compliance, intellectual property, copyright, music registration, and ownership of masters.
Elements of the 2024 Gauteng Hybrid Music Conference:
The conference was comprised elements, including exhibitions, masterclasses, speakers, showcasing/demonstrations, and discussions on music registration and royalty collection.
Previously Hosted Events:
The conference will comprise various elements, including exhibitions, masterclasses, speakers, showcasing/demonstrations, and discussions on music registration and royalty collection.
We take pride in our history of hosting events that contribute to the growth of the music community. Notable events include the Innovation Hub Youth Month Event 2022 (Virtual Event), Reelsoul South African Tour 2012, and Sosha Live Experience 2020. Our precursor, the North Hybrid Music Conference in 2022, laid the foundation for the GHMC in 2024 which took place on the 24th of February.
Current Youth Challenges:
Recognizing the challenges faced by South African youth, we address issues like high unemployment rates, lack of access to resources and information, and the evolving digital economy. Our conference aims to empower youth with opportunities, knowledge, and a realistic understanding of entrepreneurship.