A seismic shift is underway in Nigerian music as Afrobeats keeps getting platforms to groom the next set of shining stars that will take over from the current crop of Afrobeat crooners.
One of such platforms is Campus Music Spotlight (CMS), which officially launched recently.
The new Afrobeats platform is a groundbreaking intercollegiate music competition designed to transform over 40 campuses nationwide into vibrant discovery hubs for the next generation of Afrobeats superstars.
An initiative of Playmode Music, an unorthodox music marketing company, and ACADA Magazine, Nigeria’s most circulated free campus publication, CMS, the founders say, is far more than a talent show. According to the founders, the music platform is a national talent accelerator built to identify, nurture, and catapult young creatives from classrooms to global music stages.
Through a strategic partnership with Chocolate City Music Group, contestants gain rare access to top industry gatekeepers. This partnership creates a direct talent funnel, connecting raw campus talent with real-world opportunities in one of Nigeria’s most powerful music ecosystems.
To reward successful contestants, over N7 million in cash prizes are up for grabs, alongside brand endorsement deals and a chance to feature on the exclusive Campus Music Spotlight Compilation Album, to be engineered and distributed in collaboration with Chocolate City Music Group.
The proposed album will shine a light on the most promising contestants, positioning CMS as a springboard for authentic new Afrobeats voices to reach both national and global audiences.
CMS is powered by Trace TV as its official media partner, offering unrivaled editorial coverage and storytelling across television, digital, and social platforms. From live performances to interviews and behind-the-scenes moments, Trace TV ensures every story is seen, heard, and celebrated.
The platform is also backed by Swypatune, which powers the competition as the official technology partner. Through its seamless digital infrastructure, artists can easily upload their entries, while fans across Nigeria can vote, engage, and champion their favorite campus stars in real time, creating a thrilling blend of music, technology, and community.
A panel of 13 elite industry experts, including label executives, Grammy-winning producers, A&Rs, DSP leads, brand strategists, and entertainment lawyers, will mentor and handpick the most promising talents.
The faculty includes Samuel Onyemelukwe, Dapo Ayo-Adeusi (Uncle Daps), Aibee Abidoye, Ifeyinwa Anyadiegwu, V-Tek, Tope Salami, Joey Akan, Chimdinma R. Maduforo (Didi), among others.
According to Salam Damola, Project Lead for Campus Music Spotlight:
“This project isn’t just about winning, it’s about acceleration. We’re connecting undiscovered campus artists with the biggest industry players, giving them visibility, mentorship, and platforms that can change their lives forever.”
With record labels, global media houses, and tech innovators aligned under one vision, CMS stands as a monumental movement to mint the next wave of Afrobeats stars, rewriting how talent is discovered and developed across Nigeria.
As the spotlight beams on campuses nationwide, one thing is clear: the next global Afrobeats superstar may be sitting in a lecture hall right now.
By GBENGA ADERANTI TheNation
