Falz and 5 Other Afrobeat Artiste Investing in Tech

In recent years, the world has witnessed a fascinating fusion of entertainment and technology, with Afrobeat artiste making their mark in the tech industry. Among these multi-talented individuals is Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz, the Nigerian musician and actor, whose journey from the music stage to the tech realm has been nothing short of remarkable.

In 2022, he made a remarkable shift toward technology, starting with an angel investment in AltSchool Africa to improve education. He further embraced the tech world by entering the cryptocurrency space and launching his own NFT collection on Binance.

However, he’s not alone on this tech-savvy path. Let’s explore other Afrobeat artiste who are making significant investments in the tech industry, reshaping the landscape with their creative and entrepreneurial spirits.

Mr Eazi

Mr Eazi, also known as Oluwatosin Ajobade, has risen as one of Africa’s most streamed and adaptable artiste since his 2013 music debut. However, his tech journey started earlier when he founded Phonetrader.ng in 2014, an online platform for trading used phones in Nigeria.

In 2019, he launched EmPawa Africa, initially a talent incubator that birthed stars like Joeboy and Kwesi Arthur, later evolving into a comprehensive music services organization. Beyond music, Mr Eazi established a $20 million Africa Music Fund in 2020 to empower emerging talent on the continent. In 2021, through Zagadat Capital, his investment firm, he invested in pawaPay, Talent City, Eden Life, and joined Paisa, a Mexican lending fintech startup’s pre-seed funding round. His tech-savvy endeavors exemplify his commitment to fostering talent and innovation across various sectors.

Black Coffee

Nkosinathi Maphumulo, the acclaimed South African DJ and record producer known as “Black Coffee,” is not only a Grammy winner but also a trailblazing tech investor. In April, he made history by becoming the first African artist to win a Grammy Award in the Best Dance/Electronic Album category. However, his tech investments have also made significant waves. In 2015, Black Coffee backed Andela, a Lagos-based tech talent incubator. Six years later, Andela evolved into one of Africa’s few tech unicorns.

Continuing his tech journey, Black Coffee established Flightmode Digital in 2017, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage businesses in video content creation, production, and software development. Notable investments include Yoco, a South African payments startup that secured over $100 million in VC funding, SweepSouth, a cleaning and home service startup, and Rensource, a renewable energy company.

A-Q

Gilbert Bani, renowned as A-Q, has not only carved a niche for himself as an award-winning rapper, producer, and music entrepreneur but has also been at the forefront of infusing technology into the music industry. In 2018, he co-founded Platinum Plugz, a digital music promotion and distribution company. Building on this tech-savvy foundation, in 2020, A-Q entered into a joint venture with Africori, a move that gained further prominence after Warner Music Group acquired Africori this year.

Taking his tech involvement up a notch, A-Q recently introduced The Connect Head, a groundbreaking tech solution for the music business. This startup functions as a digital marketplace, facilitating music professionals in discovering gigs, hiring talents, and navigating the intricacies of publishing deals and distribution. 

M.I

In his continuous pursuit of innovation, M.I. has partnered with rising rap sensation Laycon to further explore the tech realm. Their joint venture seeks to enhance afrobeat artiste discovery.

Jude “M.I.” Abaga, a prominent figure in African rap for over a decade, is not only a creative powerhouse but also a savvy entrepreneur. Beyond his contributions to the Chocolate City music label, he’s ventured into diverse business endeavors. TASCK, a digital platform connecting creatives with opportunities, is one of his notable creations.

Ajebutter22

Akitoye Balogun, better known as Ajebutter22, has undeniably etched his name in the annals of Nigerian rap. Yet, beyond music, this 31-year-old artiste has made waves in the tech realm as well. In 2020, he stepped into the role of an angel investor, backing various startups, including AltSchool, a talent growth and matching platform, and Nestcoin, a web3 startup with a focus on Africa.

Ajebutter22’s tech journey didn’t start with angel investing, it has been intertwined with his music career for years. In 2015, he worked at Gamsole, a gaming startup, and later at Cisco, a multinational IT and networking giant. His dual success in Afrobeat and the tech world exemplifies how artiste are increasingly shaping the future of technology in Africa.