By Babajide Awoyinfa
The AkinyemiLaw Songwriting Contest (ALSC) has returned for its seventh edition, reaffirming its mission to spotlight creativity, collaboration, and emerging talent across Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since its launch during the COVID lockdown, the contest has grown from a ₦50,000 prize initiative into a continental platform awarding 5,000 dollars.
ALSC founder, entertainment lawyer Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, told NAN that the contest was inspired by a need to shine the light on songwriting as an important art form and a vehicle for wealth creation.
“Many African creatives do not know the value of their creativity, the platform aims to show that songwriting is big business.
“Several top Nigerian artistes struggle today because they have not been able to record and perform the right songs that keep them at superstar level,” he said.
Ayinoluwa also said the contest emphasises collaboration by requiring all participants to enter as tag-teams comprising a record producer and a singer-songwriter.
“We want upcoming artistes, producers, and songwriters to understand that you have to collaborate to win.
The seventh edition is receiving entries from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and South Africa, marking the contest’s widest reach yet.
“Also, we plan to extend participation to Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Mali within two years.
“ALSC is championing new initiatives, including writing and recording trips across the four participating countries.
“This trips will enable talents to mingle and collaborate to make records that speak to African storytelling.
“The contest will also introduce new partnerships with companies supporting creatives across the continent,” he said.
Ayinoluwa confirmed that both online and physical workshops will be held to teach the value of collaboration and songwriting.
He said the organisers hoped to release a compilation of the top 10 entries in 2026.
According to him, participation offers life-changing opportunities, including industry recognition and mentorship.
“Past success stories include songwriter Zichy, winner of the 2023 edition, who has since written for Wizkid.
“Another former contestant, Ayo Maff, secured a record deal after contesting in the 2023 edition. He was discovered when he submitted his entry,” he said.
Ayinoluwa said ALSC remains unique because “nothing like this exists on the continent” for championing songwriters and producers as a duo.
He said emerging talents often grow faster when they collaborate at the same level, citing examples like ID Cabasa and 9ice, Don Jazzy and D’banj, as well as Magicsticks and Asake.
He said ALSC wanted to build songwriting and creative hubs across major African cities to enable routine collaboration trips.
He noted that the contest had evolved from Nigeria-only participation to a four-country network with strong local partners.
He expressed optimism that the contest will “grant life-changing opportunities” and unite emerging talents beyond borders. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi
