How Google’s Gemini is shaping the future of African music
Onome Amuge
Amidst the vibrant and diverse world of African music, a new generation of artists are finding their voices and taking flight. Across the continent, musicians are turning to innovative technologies to sharpen their skills and navigate the industry.
In an exciting new development, Google has highlighted a powerful story emerging from Africa’s creative community. It tells of how its cutting-edge AI chatbot,Gemini is becoming an instrumental tool for emerging artists on the continent. For Google, this story offers a compelling perspective on the potential of technology to augment and amplify human creativity.
“The pulse of African music resonates worldwide. Fueled by the success of top sensations like Burnaboy, Davido, Tyla and Wizkid, a new generation of creatives is bursting onto the scene. But navigating the music industry’s complexities can feel daunting – especially without the right know-how and tools. That’s where Gemini, Google’s collaborative AI-powered tool, steps in as your ultimate guide,” Google stated.
In response to the emerging story of the new generation of creative stars, Google has curated a list of six ways that Gemini is empowering the next generation of African music stars. These include:
Building Your Tribe: Google noted that in the vibrant music communities of Africa’s creative capitals,like the ones in Lagos, Johannesburg and Nairobi, the key to success is not just about who you know, but how you make connections. This,it stated, is where Gemini comes in, offering users more than just networking basics. It explained further, “Instead of just attending events, let’s get strategic. Ask, “How do I initiate meaningful conversations with music producers online?” or “Help me write an application essay for an artist mentorship programme“.
Igniting Your Creative Spark: For those who are feeling uninspired or creatively blocked, Google points to the chatbot Gemini as a valuable tool to help spark new ideas and reignite the creative spark. Gemini can act as a virtual brainstorming partner, able to offer up a range of suggestions and ideas to help one break through a creative block. Google highlighted some of the ways Gemini can help to include; suggesting lyrical rhymes for a song with a particular theme, such as empowerment. It can also suggest new and unusual musical instruments from across Africa to help broaden one’s sonic palette.
The Power of Your Story: Google has noted that an artist’s brand is about much more than a logo or a name. It’s about how they connect with their audience and create a meaningful relationship with them. In this regard, it stated that Gemini can be a valuable tool to help artists find their voice and connect with their fans, using commands such as; “Help me craft an artist bio that captures my passion for social change through music.” Need to up your social media game? “Show me how other African artists effectively use TikTok.”
Decoding the Music Business: Google notes that navigating the music industry can often feel like a maze of contracts, copyright laws, and industry players. For new and emerging artists, it can be difficult to know where to start and what questions to ask. However, Google suggests that a chatbot like Gemini can be a valuable resource to help break down these complex topics into more manageable pieces. The chatbot can offer straightforward explanations of complicated concepts, such as, “If a song plays in a movie. Does the singer get paid for that? Explain like I’m 5?” and let Gemini explain it in a way that you’ll understand. Google’s “G” button can also be used to double check and verify the information provided by the chatbot
Owning Your Look: Google pointed out that in the music world, style is as important as the music itself. It notes that a chatbot like Gemini can be a powerful tool to help artists explore different looks and trends to find the style that best suits them. The chatbot can help users blend traditional Nigerian textiles with modern trends, taking inspiration from influential artists like Burna Boy and Sho Majodzi. It can also help users find bold, colorful outfits that fit their personal style and body type. In addition,by answering simple questions about height, body type, and fashion interests, the chatbot can offer unique and personalised fashion advice.
Beyond the Music Videos: According to Google, in the digital age, visual content is an important part of an artist’s brand and image, noting that Gemini can help the user spark their video concepts. It listed prompts such as “Brainstorm music video ideas that celebrate the everyday beauty of Lagos.” Need help with the nuts and bolts? “What are the basic elements of a music video treatment?”, that can help users come up with creative and impactful visuals that truly capture their message and style.