The evocative moniker conjures up colorful pictures of sonic experimentation and artists forging new paths. It’s a symbol of home for a community brought together by their passion for electronic music. I’ve never been there myself, to tell the truth. Its reputation certainly precedes it, a beacon of curatorial vision in an art world frequently overwhelmed by commercial clamor. I think that’s more than a festival. I think that’s a blueprint. A bold blueprint that, truly surprisingly, possesses all the right magic keys to unlocking a revolutionary new chapter for electronic music and technology within Africa.

Can Amsterdam's model empower Africa?

Today, the African electronic music scene can be seen as a sleeping giant. There is a vibrant, pulsating, raw energy that simmers just beneath that surface. From the amapiano soundscapes of South Africa to the Afro-house beats of Nigeria, the continent is full of phenomenal artists. Raw talent alone isn't enough. There are hurdles: limited access to resources, a lack of infrastructure, and in some places, even censorship. How do these up-and-coming artists get a leg up, get discovered, find their audience, and flourish?

This is where Dekmantel’s ethos kicks in and becomes supremely relevant. Forget the headliners for a moment. Consider the Radar stage, an entire platform focused on making room for the emerging talent. Now, imagine this model going viral across Africa. It will help develop the next generation of young producers and DJs, giving them the chance to perform and reach a global audience. Don’t think of workshops and panels as an escape or downtime. As undisturbed environments free from market demands, they become important environments for building community, creativity, and capacity. Dekmantel’s educational component links historical development to contemporary practice. This kind of hands-on, personal approach is just what’s needed to help foster the next generation of African electronic music innovators.

Dekmantel’s secret to success is far more than just booking the big names. It’s not just about making music…it’s about how you produce an experience, an experience that’s a very tailored experience through sound. It’s about honoring the past and celebrating the future, paying tribute to the roots of electronic music while forging new paths of expression and experimentation. This is crucial for Africa. African artists should not feel the need to imitate Western trends. They need to draw from their diverse cultural backgrounds and lean into their own specific beats and sounds. By combining these traditions with innovative new technology, they have the potential to produce something truly unique.

Blockchain empowers African artists?

Now, let's talk about blockchain. I know, it sounds like tech jargon. But hear me out. Blockchain tech is empowering the music business for African creatives. With NFTs, DAOs and Smart Contracts, it further empowers artists and democratizes access more than ever before.

  • NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) for Artists: Imagine an artist in Lagos selling their music directly to fans around the world, bypassing record labels and distributors. NFTs make this possible, giving artists control over their work and a larger share of the revenue.
  • DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations): Think of a DAO as a community-owned and operated record label. Artists and fans can pool their resources to fund music projects, support emerging talent, and build a sustainable ecosystem.
  • Smart Contracts for Royalties: These self-executing contracts ensure that artists receive fair compensation for their work, automatically distributing royalties whenever their music is played or sold.

This isn't just about money. It's about ownership. But it’s about so much more than that, it’s about empowerment, giving African artists the tools that they need to shape their own destinies and build sustainable careers. It’s about promoting a more inclusive, fairer, and more representative music ecosystem.

I want to develop ways to bring African artists as pioneers of innovation and change to the forefront within electronic music. They’ll use blockchain technology to produce new music, establish innovative fan bases, and rebel against the establishment. Going forward, the inspiration behind Dekmantel still glows with undeniable brilliance. Its commitment to curatorial excellence, community building, and creative risk-taking continues to light the path ahead.

What future will we build?

This future won't build itself. That takes investment, support and the courage to take risks. We must support African artists, lift them up and better amplify their voices, more importantly, give them the tools needed to create thriving careers. We must support blockchain-based music efforts, equip those involved in the music ecosystem with the education they require, and encourage a culture of innovation and collaboration.

I'm not just talking about financial investment. I'm talking about emotional investment. And I mean actively listening, actively learning, and actively supporting the professional development of African artists with our time, our attention, and our platforms. The future of electronic music is global, and Africa is at the intersection of that future. Let’s make sure we give them the tools to write that future, one beat, one block, at a time. Let’s do what we can to make them their own Dekmantel, their own sound, their own future. The potential is awe-inspiring.