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MTV launches African channel
01/02/2005 13:59 - (SA)
Johannesburg - MTV is to launch a pan-African channel later this month targeting 1.3 million households across the continent with the aim of exposing local talent, a spokesperson for its distributor said on Tuesday.
"The new network and MTV's 100th channel worldwide called MTV Base will be launched on February 22," said Colleen Goodman, brand manager at MultiChoice's DSTV.
"It's a channel that has been tailor-made for the continent and will among others, profile African artists world-wide and give them a platform," said Goodman.
Featuring similar programme content that has made the music channel a hit across the globe, it will include features on hot emerging talent, top 10 videos chosen by African, international artists and viewers as well as a programme on the legends of African music.
African talent under the spotlight
"Commitment to encouraging and developing grassroots African music talent is a major part of MTV base's agenda," MTV said in a statement, released in Johannesburg.
"The channel's music playlist will include videos from African artists such as Femi Kuti of Nigeria, Magic System of Ivory Coast, SSP of Angola... and Angelique Kidjo of Benin," it added.
It will also see new emerging stars being placed under the spotlight including South Africa's popular pop celebrity Lebo and 2face from Nigeria.
Since the mid-1980s when South African a capella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo first stepped onto the international stage with Paul Simon on his "Graceland" album, African music has become increasingly popular world-wide.
It incorprates a wide range of styles, from coral music to jazz to "kwaito" - the gutsy hip-hop music which originated in South Africa's townships.
- AFP
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South Africa
