In March 2026, the CNM and the French Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire will collaborate with the Ghanaian–British company rain.Labs; a company with deep knowledge of the African music landscape and a strong track record; to organize five days of songwriting sessions bringing together French and West African talent.
Presentation
Since 2025, the CNM has already taken part in the first writing sessions between French and Ghanaian songwriters, and in 2026 the ambition expands to make this project the first full songwriting camp uniting French songwriters and their West African counterparts.
These sessions follow on from projects led by the CNM in recent years in strategic regions such as Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, Prague, Southeast Asia, Seoul and Mexico City. Their aim is to encourage artistic creation and collaboration between French and West African artists, encouraging new releases, new collaborations, and to strengthen professional links between French and international publishers.
Event Schedule
- Tuesday 10th March: arrival in Accra of French and international participants
- Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th March : 3 days of sessions at Small World Records
- Saturday 13th March: day off
- Sunday 15th, Monday 16th March: 2 days of sessions at Small World Records
- Tuesday 17th March: listening session (morning), with local music industry professionals and media. Possible to leave Accra from the evening.
Each studio day, participants will be split into four groups and will work collectively in one of the four studios available. This process will be repeated each day.
The songwriting sessions will focus on “mainstream” genres, including influences from afrobeats, pop, rap, soul, R&B, singer-songwriter, highlife and more.
Participants are strongly encouraged to be accompanied by a member of their professional team during their stay in Ghana. The CNM can assist in organizing a series of professional meetings with relevant contacts: labels, promoters, publishers, etc.
Participation Terms
For French artists (or artists signed to a French label / publisher), the CNM covers:
- studio time
- the organization and coordination of writing teams
- the organization of the listening session
- accommodation in Accra
- transfers
- lunches (except on the rest day)
International travel expenses and visa costs are the responsibility of the participants.
For West African artists (excluding Ghana), the CNM covers:
- studio time
- the organization and coordination of writing teams
- the organization of the listening session
- lunches (except on the rest day)
The French Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire covers international transport and accommodation in Accra.
For Ghanaian artists, the CNM covers:
- studio spaces
- the organization and coordination of writing teams
- the organization of the listening session
- lunches (except on the rest day)
- a contribution to local transportation costs
Applications are open until Friday, January 2.
For further information, please contact Ben Ling (ben.ling@cnm.fr) and Benjamin Demelemester (benjamin.demelemester@cnm.fr).