Something for Kenyan Artistes;

THE MINISTRY OF SPORTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Musicians & Dancers

Permanent Presidential Music Commission

The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage launched the “Work For Pay” Kshs. 100 million stimulus package for artistes, actors and musicians and this is in line with the Executive Order issued by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta on 6th April 2020, directing the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund to avail Kshs. 100 million to cushion those in the creative industry during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds will be distributed through a campaign dubbed ‘TOGETHER AT HOME’ spearheaded by Government Agencies and Departments, as stipulated by the Regulations establishing the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund

Stimulus Programme for Musicians and Dancers

The Permanent Presidential Music Commission was mandated to spearhead the work for pay program that will provide equal opportunities to VJs/DJs, bands and acapella performing groups, dancers and pop musicians.
The Work for Pay is aimed at supplementing Government’s efforts in combating COVID-19 and its effects by engaging and mobilizing the cultural and creative artists in strategic messaging on behaviour change.
This is to help flatten the coronavirus transmission curve including, but not limited to social distancing, hand washing and wearing personal protective equipment such as masks.

Pop Musicians

This initiative proposes to record songs in all Kenyan languages, dialects, national and official languages and sheng among others. The initiative recognizes that the country has over 43 languages and dialects thus allocating each community at least a song.
Who can Apply?
The call is open to practicing pop musicians in the above category who are Kenyan Citizens above 18 years old, making their living only from this practice. That is, the applicants should not be employed in other industry away from being a practicing pop musician.

Criteria For Submission

Eligibility:

1. The practicing pop musicians MUST be Kenyan Citizens with valid ID/Passport number.
2. All practicing pop musicians MUST be registered in the Permanent Presidential Music Commission portal; www.ppmc.go.keor via USSD channel *483*1006#.
3. The pop musicians must have been practicing in the industry prior to January 2019.
4. Each recording should comprise at least six practicing pop musicians working together (collabo).

Topics to Explore:

1. The recording pop musicians should focus on creatively packaging messages of hope, unity, encouragement, resilience and National Values.
2. Celebrate our heroes and brave Kenyans who have been at the forefront of the current pandemic, such as the medics, security services and essential services etc.
3. Thinking of the Future: Offer their vision, ideas and creativity on the post-crisis as we participate in building a more sustainable and fairer future.

How to Apply:

1. Each group of practicing pop musicians is expected to prepare their own original music/composition lasting not more than 4 minutes,
2. Each group of practicing pop musicians is expected to video record the studio session.
3. NO EXPLICIT CONTENT.

VJs & DJs

This initiative proposes to produce thematic Covid_19 Kenyan mixes and online shows with appropriate messaging. These mixes, live streaming and online shows will engage VJs and DJs countrywide.

Who can Apply?
The call is open to practicing VJs and DJs who are Kenyan Citizens above 18 years old and making their living only from this practice. That is, the applicant should not be employed in other industry away from this occupation.

Criteria For Submission

Eligibility

1. Must be a Kenyan Citizen with a valid ID/Passport number.
2. Must be registered in the Permanent Presidential Music Commission portal: www.ppmc.go.ke or via USSD channel *483*1006#.
3. Must have been actively engaged in VJ-ing / DJ-ing prior to January 2019.

Topics to Explore:

1. The DJ/VJ should focus on creatively packaging messages of hope, unity, encouragement, resilience and National Values.
2. Celebrate our heroes and brave Kenyans who have been at the forefront of the current pandemic, such as the medics, security services and essential services etc.
3. Thinking of the Future: One can offer their vision, ideas and creativity on the post-crisis as we participate in building a more sustainable and fairer future.

How to Apply:

1. Each DJ/VJ will be expected to create a 30 minute mix of Kenyan Music preferably video but where this is not possible audio mixes are acceptable,
2. Sound quality at a minimum bitrate of 192, ideal 320kbps,
3. The Kenyan Music mix can either be genre based, e.g. Benga, rhumba, thematic, or era based, etc.
4. NO EXPLICIT CONTENT,
5. We encourage each DJ/VJ to record themselves and integrate that recording into the mix. Those doing audio mixes should record themselves live while doing the video and submit.

Bands & Acapella Groups

This initiative proposes to produce bands and acapella groups for Covid_19 productions. The bands and acapella groups shall produce and record Covid_19 messaging songs to be aired online and on mainstream media with considerations for live-streaming.

Who can Apply?
The call is open to practicing musicians in the above categories who are Kenyan Citizens above 18 years old and making their living only from these practices. That is, the applicants should not be employed in other industry away from band performances or a cappella performance practices.

Criteria For Submission

Eligibility:

1. The band or a cappella group members MUST be Kenyan Citizens with valid ID/Passport number.
2. All members of the band or a cappella group MUST be registered in the Permanent Presidential Music Commission portal; www.ppmc.go.ke or via USSD channel *483*1006#.
3. The band or a cappella groups must have been actively engaged in performances prior to January 2019.

Topics to Explore:

1. The musicians are encouraged to share messages of hope, unity, encouragement, resilience and National Values.
2. Celebrate our heroes and brave Kenyans who have been at the forefront of the current pandemic, such as the medics, security services and essential services etc.
3. Thinking of the Future: Offer their vision, ideas and creativity on the post-crisis as we participate in building a more sustainable and fairer future.

How to Apply:

1. Each Band or a cappella group is expected to prepare their own original music/composition repertoire lasting between 25-30 minutes.
2. Each band or a cappella group is expected to perform live and video record the session.
3. NO EXPLICIT CONTENT.

Dancers

This initiative proposes to produce cultural and contemporary dance groups with Covid_19 productions, posters and messaging for a more effective grassroot engagement. Their messaging will run on choreographed audio-visual productions superimposed on video transcriptions and messaging including posters. These productions shall then be shared online and on other media platforms.

Who can Apply?

The call is open to practicing registered groups of dancers (cultural, neo-cultural and or contemporary dance groups) who are Kenyan Citizens above 18 years old, making their living only from this practice. That is, the applicants should not be employed in other industry. 

Criteria For Submission

Eligibility:

1. The dance group members MUST be Kenyan Citizens with valid ID/Passport number;
2. All members of the dance group MUST be registered in the Permanent Presidential Music Commission portal; www.ppmc.go.ke or via USSD channel *483*1006#.
3. The applicants must have been practicing in the industry prior to January 2019.

Topics to Explore:

1. The dance groups should focus on creatively packaging messages of hope, unity, encouragement, resilience and National Values.
2. Celebrate our heroes and brave Kenyans who have been at the forefront of the current pandemic, such as the medics, security services and essential services etc.
3. Thinking of the Future: Offer their vision, ideas and creativity on the post-crisis as we participate in building a more sustainable and fairer future.

How to Apply:

1. Each dance troupe should choreograph TWO (2) dances not exceeding 5 minutes each,
2. Contemporary dances should be own original choreography accompanied by Kenyan music,
3. Cultural dances should reflect authentic / traditional idioms,
4. NO EXPLICIT CONTENT,
5. Each dance troupe should record their live performance.

Submission of Works

The recorded content should be submitted with the contact details of members (Name, ID, Telephone) via email to submissions@ppmc.go.ke or WhatsApp to: 0769496025

DEADLINE  for submissions: 31st May, 2020

NB:
ALL productions should adhere to ALL Directives and Guidelines from the Ministry of Health.
Applicants whose content shall be selected shall consequently receive their stimulus package.
Persons with Disability are encouraged to apply

Selection Criteria

A panel from the music industry shall vet and adjudicate each submission based on;
The creativity of the production (innovation, content matter, artistry) etc. and
The realization of the guidelines above.
The selected content shall be aired on the Ministry’s and PPMC’s social media platforms.

Further Inquiries

420 - The Band BeCa (Vybez Video)

Band BeCa - From left Becky & Carol 

The Band BeCa duo are oozing fire with their new hit 420. The song that they say they did to break the boredom from Corona pandemic social and economic effects seems to rock their fans who are so excited. Their vocals are so much on point and above the usual singing many Kenyan artists do. The idea in the video is also good and many fans are now yearning for their official video to be done once social distancing is over.
 We pray that Corona is defeated so that we may have time to enjoy the new vibes and have the new videos done.

See their video below and you'll surely enjoy the music.

//youtu.be/vH52kZcvcE4