The award, courtesy of the Music In Africa Foundation, recognises the outstanding contributions of notable musicians to their home country’s industry and that of Africa as a whole. Previous Music In Africa Honorary Award recipients include Senegalese legend Baaba Maal and Kenyan musician Eric Wainaina, who were honoured in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

“This year, we are extremely excited to present the Music In Africa Honorary Award to Mr. Ebo Taylor and Ms. Bibie Brew for their inspirational work in the African music sector," Music In Africa Foundation Maimouna Dembélé said. "Their dedication and efforts made to strengthen African musical identity is exemplary and we cannot wait to welcome them to the ACCES stage this November.”

With a music career spanning more than six decades, Ebo Taylor (born in 1936) is a significant figure in the Ghanaian music scene. He is known for playing a pivotal role in shaping highlife bands the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band in the late 1950s. Taylor made an impact outside Ghana, especially in 1962 when he took his Black Star Highlife Band to London where he collaborated with legendary Afrobeat singer Fela Kuti and other African musicians.

Taylor has produced such top Ghanaian artists as Pat Thomas and CK Mann. He also worked with Germany-based saxophonist Ben Abarbanel-Wolff on the Love and Death album. In 2009, US singer Usher sampled Taylor's song  ‘Heaven’ for ‘She Don’t Know’ featuring Ludacris.

The award for Bibie Brew pays tribute to her illustrious work as a music mentor and an advocate for positive change in the creative sector, in addition to a music career that produced one of Africa’s biggest global hits.

A daughter of a travelling diplomat, Bibie Brew (born in 1957) earned success following the release of the French song ‘Tout Doucement’ in 1985. The song was produced by renowned French composer Jean-Paul Dréau. It was certified gold and climbed to second place on the French charts. Other songs that have defined her career include ‘J'veux pas l'savoir’ and ‘Les femmes reviennent et les hommes s'en vont’. The singer has released six albums, including Bibie (1985), Regards (1986), Tendress'moi (1988), La P'tite Black (1990), Femme d'ici ou d'ailleurs (1992) and Sereine (2003).

Showcases

ACCES 2019 has unveiled the international artists who will showcase at this year’s music conference, including Gato Preto (Germany/Ghana/Mozambique), Songhoy Blues (UK/Mali), Lúcia de Carvalho (France/Angola), Mokoomba (Zimbabwe), Arka'n (Togo), Sibusile Xaba (South Africa) and Bholoja (eSwatini), as well as Ghanaians Yaa Yaa, Kyekyeku & Ghanalogue Highlife, FOKN Bois, Cina Soul and FRA! 

In addition to the showcases, the event will feature panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, product pitches and networking sessions, all taking place at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences on 28, 29 and 30 November.

Register at www.musicinafrica.net/acces now to be part of ACCES 2019.

Watch the ACCES 2019 promo

About ACCES

This year ACCES has a partnership with Reeperbahn Festival. The partnership creates a framework for the festival to collaborate with ACCES in facilitating sustainable business engagements and exchange between European and African music businesses and professionals, as well as the provision of performance opportunities to musicians in both territories. 

BMG is the new model music company founded in 2008 as a response to the challenges of the digital revolution in the music industry. As part of its unique approach, BMG represents the traditionally separate music publishing and recording rights off the same platform internationally. The company is the world’s fourth biggest music publisher and one of the first new global players in the recordings business. BMG has 15 offices across 12 core music markets, representing over 3 million songs and recordings, including the catalogues of global stars such as Chrysalis, Bug, Virgin, Mute, Sanctuary, Primary Wave and Talpa Music, as well as thousands of artists and songwriters.