The Unplugged Sessions are an initiative to democratize the Dakar music industry. This is a musical competition aimed at finding new talents. The competition is organized by our Music Label, and it has taken place every year for the past 3 years as part of the Stereo Africa Festival (SAF).
From its creation, one of the primary ambitions of the festival was the promotion and support of young emerging artists. Also, the notion of transmission is fundamental and well anchored in the DNA of the festival. At the same time, we can easily observe that in Senegal musical production and especially distribution remain quite concentrated in the city of Dakar; other regions suffering from an infrastructure deficit, but also from less access to instruments and/or training, etc.
This is why supporting young artists by passing on certain key skills to them so that they can improve their music, but also allowing them to gather objective opinions when going on stage, quickly seemed essential to us.
This is how the idea of Unplugged Sessions germinated, the form it takes allows it to be both a revealer and a facilitator by offering at the same time the meeting of an audience and professionals from the cultural sector .
01
Apply with your project !
Are you a musician, singer, composer? Do you play alone or in a group?
Participate in our Unplugged Sessions contest!
Next registrations and details -> Early 2025!
02
Auditions
Each year, auditions take place in several locations in the capital as well as in the suburbs (UCAD, MCU Ouakam, Guediawaye Cultural Center, Rufisque Station, Thiaroye Station, etc.).
In front of a jury of professionals, you will perform two original pieces.
03
Finale at the Stereo Africa Festival
The 12 best candidates from the auditions are selected for the Final, as part of the Stereo Africa Festival. The three best are then rewarded with artistic support for their project by the Stereo Africa 432 label.