Beyond the spotlight: the unsung heroes of a successful music career - IOL
Gift Mdlalose, founder and CEO of the inaugural Music Business Awards Africa.
There are other factors that affect a music career's success besides the performer in front of the microphone. Managers negotiate contracts, publicists increase visibility, publishers protect songwriting rights, and booking agents help artists connect with new audiences. However, much of this work happens behind closed doors.
The inaugural Music Business Awards Africa (MBAA) aims to change that by recognising the professionals and companies that develop artists and sustain the music industry.
The awards will take place on Saturday, November 21, at Mercedes-Benz Sandton, with voting open to the public until November 15.
Founded by Gift Mdlalose, the awards focus on a part of the industry that rarely receives the same public recognition as performers, despite its role in building successful careers and creating commercial opportunities.
“For years, I’ve watched the music industry celebrate what audiences see on stage, while many of the people responsible for building those careers remain largely invisible,” said Mdlalose.
“Managers, A&Rs, publishers, lawyers, PR professionals, booking agents, educators and music companies are critical to the ecosystem. The Music Business Awards Africa was created to give that side of the industry its own credible platform for recognition.”
Mdlalose is reportedly a qualified music technologist and audio engineer who trained through the CAC/City & Guilds London Institute. He is also the founding director of the Music Business Academy Southern Africa, which focuses on equipping aspiring music professionals with practical industry skills through structured education.
He also founded the Music Business Network (MBN), a South African industry platform through which he has built partnerships across the music business. His experience includes artist management and label development, supporting artists and helping establish and structure independent record labels.
In 2025, Mdlalose was recognised in Egypt as one of Africa’s top 40 young business owners under the age of 40 for his contribution to industry development and entrepreneurship. The following year, he launched his music business book in partnership with the University of Johannesburg Business School.
The awards span individual achievements, companies and special merit categories, reflecting the different roles involved in making the music business work.
Individual categories include “Best Artist Manager of the Year”, “Best A&R Manager of the Year” and “Best Commercial Songwriter of the Year”, alongside the “Industry Champion Award” and “Young Legend Award”.
The company categories cover independent record labels, artist management firms, music publishers, music law practices, live music events, booking agencies, public relations and marketing, music education and music business conferences.
Music amplification platforms, which help artists reach wider audiences and access opportunities, will also be recognised.
Among the nominees are Katlego Malatji for the “Industry Champion Award” and Shingai Darangwa for the “Young Legend Award”. Zee Nxumalo, among other South African artists, has nominations for “Best Artist Digital Presence”, “People’s Choice Artist of the Year” and “Commercial Artist Enterprise Award”.
Punchline Projects is nominated for “Best Music PR and Marketing Agency” and “Best Artist Management Company”.
The range of categories is said to also highlight the career paths available to people who want to work in music without becoming performers.
Artist development, rights management, marketing, legal services and live entertainment all require specialist skills, business knowledge and networks that help creative work reach an audience.
By recognising these roles, MBAA aims to raise their profile and encourage more people to consider careers across the music business. It also places the companies and professionals supporting artists within a wider conversation about the structures needed to build a sustainable industry.
