After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic the world experienced, Boiler Room x Ballantine’s are back, stronger than ever with the Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music Studios, in fulfilment of their commitment to create a safer and fairer future for music culture. True Music Studios is a series of global residences covering unique scenes from eight different countries, with a simple mission; bring fans back together on the dancefloor. True Music Studios will bring together various artists, promotors, panellists, and underrepresented groups, to celebrate local sounds and rhythms, scenes, and diversified communities, offering music lovers all over the world real life experiences.
The global residencies will open their doors for up to 10 days, offering 30+ inclusive music events, whiles adhering to local COVID-19 protocols, to bring fans back together. Taking place across eight countries – Russia, Spain, South Africa, Cameroon, Colombia, and Kenya – Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music Studios will feature live performances, workshops, educational events and community experiences curated by cutting edge collaborators who are pushing local music scenes forward including Kedr Livanskiy (Moscow, Russia), Ms. Nina (Madrid, Spain), DBN Gogo (Johannesburg, South Africa) and Aveiro Djess (Yaoundé, Cameroon).
During the last 15 years, Cameroonian music has evolved greatly, giving rise to a host of new and diverse sounds and rhythms from Bikutsi, Makossa, Assiko, Njang, Bendsikin and Mbole to modern day fusions with popular genres like hip-hop, afrobeats, RnB, Soul, Jazz, Rumba and Coupé décalé . Lovers of music should expect anything from live performances streamed across the globe, from the headline acts alongside special guest appearances by those defining each scene. Educational ‘in conversation’ talks will see top acts like Mani Bella, Happy and Kameni discussing Cameroonian music in the post-digital age. Community events will also see local promotors being handed the keys to the True Music Studios to set the stage for emerging talent, provide listening sessions and creative spaces where music collectives can collaborate.
Each residency will be unearthing the freshest sounds from each city with big names in the scene hitting the mic, including along with community events hosted by local promoters, and educational talks and seminars led by industry pioneers. Curated by Cameroon’s underground king Aveiro Djess, the first party celebrates the city’s varying music scenes with fast rising Afro Dance-Hall Queen, “Kameni” as well as high energy beats from Z-Tra and many more.
Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music Studios Yaoundé tour dates: 3rd – 5th May
The events are as follows:
1. 3rd May – In Conversation With artists: Mani Bella, Kameni, Happy. This is a 60-minute music forum with artists and music stakeholders on the evolution of the music industry, what and who has influenced sounds and its future.
2. 4th of May – True Music & Dance Fest
Ballantine’s Whisky will organize a night of music and dance Fest at Cascade Mfoundi in Yaoundé. The Night will offer free Mbole dance lessons by Adjamelais Jokers and the dance crew Les Bangando. The night will also give aspiring musicians the chance to record for free their new music with the renowned beatmaker Mr Ivy
Guests will also be treated to delicious Ballantine’s cocktails throughout the night.
3. 5th of May – Main night – Live Broadcast Boiler Room show
A worldwide streamed party with over 500 guests in attendance. This would be a night of live music broadcast to the world with performances from Aveiro Djess, Kameni, Z-Tra, DJ Cyrius Black, DJ Louda and DJ ChinjongDJ Diamon, DJ Cyrius Black, Happy D’Effoulan ; Kameni and others.
About Ballantine’s :
Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for its outstanding quality, thanks to its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40-year-old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by master blender Sandy Hyslop, continuing the brand’s tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.
Ballantine’s was created as a Whisky for Everyone; “A Friend to All Humankind” and is passionate about bringing out the real you to create moments that matter. Our Stay True platform guides everything we do, from retaining the same style of Finest since its launch in 1910 to championing true music and supporting emerging talent. It’s an invitation for people to get to know themselves and have the confidence to standby it and be true to themselves creating moments that matter.
“Stay true and excellence will always be by your side.” These are the immortal words of our founder, George Ballantine, that we still follow to this day. This scotch blend made in a Dumbarton distillery in Scotland is part of the Pernod Ricard’s portfolio and distributed in Cameroon by BVS Distribution.
Follow Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky on Facebook @BallantinesCM; Instagram @ballantinescm; website on www.ballantines.com for more information.
About Boiler Room:
Boiler Room is an online music broadcasting platform based in London, commissioning and streaming live music sessions around the world. Founded in London in 2010, Boiler Room started with a webcam taped to a wall, opening a keyhole into London’s underground and has since then hosted shows in around 100 cities worldwide.