Editor
The Merging of Creativity and Conservation on Thursday launches a significant concert of New Music initiative in Lagos, Nigeria.
Wild Africa introduces “Music for Wildlife,” an innovative concert series uniting African musicians to safeguard the continent’s iconic wildlife. The premiere takes place this weekend on OAS1SONE, a premium platform offering live content and experiences, broadcasted on Trace’s television channels and streaming service.
In Nigeria, the performances will be accessible on Trace Naija, channel 325 on DSTV. Produced by Wild Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the protection of Africa’s wildlife and natural habitats, Music for Wildlife now showcases Africa’s artistic talent and environmental heritage worldwide, reaching an audience of over 350 million people.
The enthralling combination of live studio sessions, interviews, and captivating wildlife content presented in Music for Wildlife will reach viewers in more than 180 countries, through 28 localized Trace TV channels and the Trace+ global streaming platform. These performances will be featured on Trace’s television and streaming service starting from June 21, coinciding with Trace’s 21st Anniversary.
Through this intimate concert series, audiences will be introduced to Africa’s top musicians, including renowned artists like Musa Keys, CKay, Focalistic, and other emerging talents. They will share their music, life stories, careers, inspirations, and express their dedication to protecting endangered species. Each concert will also include special appearances by African and international celebrities from the music, entertainment, sports, comedy, television, and film industries, such as Davido, Jacky Chan, Boity, and Lupita Nyong’o, among others.
Featuring over 150 musicians from across the continent, Music for Wildlife leverages the emotive power of music to raise awareness and inspire action for wildlife conservation. There has never been a more urgent need for innovative and creative approaches to engage society in conservation efforts.
Africa, home to a quarter of the world’s biodiversity, is facing significant challenges, including poaching, habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, climate change, and human-wildlife conflicts.
According to WWF’s Living Planet Report, wildlife populations in Africa have declined by 66% in the last 50 years.
Nigeria, once home to rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs, is experiencing rapid biodiversity loss. With only about 50 West African lions, 100 Cross River gorillas, and a few hundred elephants remaining, many species are on the verge of extinction.
The country also has the highest deforestation rate globally, losing 3.7% of crucial forests annually, and has become a hub for illegal trade in pangolin scales and ivory.
Despite these challenges, Africa is not silent. Artists from Johannesburg to Lagos, Accra to Windhoek, are raising their voices, advocating against wildlife threats, and inspiring audiences to connect with their natural surroundings in national parks.
The Nigerian musicians like 2Baba, CKay, Laycon, and others are actively involved in campaigns beyond Music for Wildlife, addressing issues such as illegal bushmeat consumption, deforestation, and promoting wildlife tourism. Their efforts are making a difference.
A recent survey conducted by Market Surveys International in Lagos found that 88% of Nigerians are aware of Wild Africa’s campaign, with 97% of individuals aged 10-17 recalling the initiative.
Moreover, 86% of respondents stated that they have refrained from consuming wildlife due to the campaign, and 31% have stopped consuming bushmeat as a result.
The goal of partnerships between artists, Trace, OASISONE, and Wild Africa is to have a meaningful impact, as each party emphasizes.
“Africans must prioritize wildlife conservation. Wildlife and national parks create numerous job opportunities in Africa by attracting tourists from around the world. Let’s utilize music and arts to safeguard our incredible wildlife,” remarked Focalistic, an award-winning rapper, singer, and songwriter.
“African artists possess influential voices and can make a significant impact in raising awareness for wildlife protection in Africa. Trace is honored to showcase the Music for Wildlife concerts on our global network, aligning perfectly with our values and initiatives,” stated Olivier Laouchez, the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Trace Group.
“Trace, a prominent global media network for African music and content, collaborates with influential artists and voices in African entertainment to support wildlife conservation. We are excited to be part of this groundbreaking partnership that will reach millions of viewers worldwide,” said Jandre Louw, the Founder and CEO of OAS1SONE.
“We are delighted to partner with Trace to launch Music for Wildlife across their diverse and extensive platforms. This collaboration allows us to use the power of music to engage with a broad audience across the continent and globally, amplifying awareness of wildlife conservation and the critical role it plays in supporting human life,” commented Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa.
