Cape Town, Paris, New York (8 October 2025) — Delaware-incorporated, South African-founded music startup Moodswing has secured a global partnership with Sony Music Entertainment (SME), granting access to tracks from Sony’s world-class artist catalog for integration into its AI-powered communication app.

Moodswing lets users merge their voice notes and conversations with instrumental background music or music clips based on their mood. Its AI engine analyzes the emotion in a user’s voice and recommends music from genres such as happy, romantic, exciting, dramatic, funny, and more — turning everyday conversations into expressive, emotional, and shareable moments.

Co-Founder & CEO of Moodswing Jimmmy Muteba said: “Music is the language of emotion — it helps us express what words alone can’t. With over 3.5 billion people using messaging apps globally, the next evolution of communication is emotional. We live in a world where people don’t just want to play music — they want to play with it. Moodswing is opening a completely new, deeper emotional layer of communication — letting people add music to their conversations based on their mood. Partnering with Sony Music marks a major step forward, giving us access to a world-class artist catalog and reinforcing the scale of what we’re building.”

Founded by Jimmy Muteba, a South African and French entrepreneur and recording artist (known as CAPSO), Moodswing builds on his deep experience in music and media. As an artist, he has collaborated with global stars including Wyclef Jean and Fally Ipupa, created TRACE Music Star — Africa’s largest music talent search with over nine million users and celebrity judges such as Akon and Keri Hilson — which won Best Pan-African Initiative at AfricaCom, and created and executive produced the TV format The Coolest OG’s, licensed to Netflix and sold internationally to Banijay — the studio behind Survivor, Big Brother, and MasterChef — and nominated for Competition Show of the Year at the TBI Content Innovation Awards.

Moodswing has also recently secured a strategic partnership with TRACE, the leading global Afro-urban media group.

       “The mission of TRACE is to empower and entertain our people — the young audiences who love Afro-urban culture, but also the artists who create it. Anything that helps artists monetize their talent makes sense. And if we believe that a product is truly relevant in today’s digital world, it’s also our duty to support it. The other reason we decided to support Moodswing is because of the longstanding professional relationship we have with its founder. Over the past 15 years we have worked closely with him. His passion, resilience, flexibility and ability to always find solutions in difficult environments makes it worth our support. We all know that when we invest in a project, it’s not just about the project but the people behind it. I can already see the evolution and how much they will listen — to advice, the market, and all the users of the product — to make sure they always find the best solutions to answer their needs.  And given the massive usage of messaging apps, bringing added value, differentiation, and joy to that experience is a major plus. The support of key players across the music industry is a testament to the quality and growing interest the product has right now for the entire industry. When you add all of this together, you have the elements of a recipe that made us decide to invest” stated Olivier Laouchez, Founder & Executive Chairman of TRACE.

Moodswing is currently raising its pre-seed round, with several prominent angel investors already on board, including:

• Zachariah George – Managing Partner, Launch Africa Ventures
• Raj Kulasingam – Senior Counsel, Dentons; Venture Investor, SM River/V&R; Angel Investor of the Year, 500 Startups
• Audrey Verhaeghe – CEO, Anza Capital
• Nadia Seemuth – Managing Partner, Jambaar Capital
• Rajiv Daya – Head of Investments, NEXT176
• Gérald Croonenberghs – Managing Director, Silikin Village; Board Member, TEXAF
• Yosuke Yoshida – CEO, Emurgo Kepple Ventures & EMURGO MEA (Cardano)

Zachariah George, Managing Partner at Launch Africa Ventures, said: “One of the reasons I invested is because Moodswing is genuinely one of the most innovative products I’ve seen at the intersection of music and messaging — two of the most engaged digital behaviours globally. It allows users to layer emotionally matched soundtracks onto voice notes — something I never thought was actually possible. The fact that it will also work for live calls is just brilliant. It’s intuitive, works seamlessly across existing messaging apps, and lets musicians extend their reach across multiple platforms without any incremental work. What excites me most is that Moodswing’s path to monetization is clear — from its freemium model and creator tools to brand partnerships, and ultimately, music licensing, which gives this a serious route to market. And Jimmy has serious music-industry chops and vision. It’s hard to find someone as passionate and relentless as he is. He’s up working all hours of the night, across multiple time zones, to get things done. All in all, it’s culturally relevant, has strong early traction, and a founder and team who can execute. That’s why I’m proud to be one of its early backers.”

Raj Kulasingam, Senior Counsel at Dentons and Venture Investor at SM River/V&R, added “They’re solving a pretty big problem. It’s not about needing another messaging app — it’s about the fact that many creatives and musicians don’t make much money from streaming. Moodswing gives them another revenue stream — and young people already send emojis and stickers; now they can share their emotions through music too. The fact that they’ve closed a deal with a major music label means users will have access to all sorts of amazing tracks they can use in their conversations — and this gives me even more conviction in what they’re building. I’ve gotten to know Jimmy quite well — he’s one of the hardest-working founders I’ve backed — and our many conversations inspired us to come up with the catchphrase ‘turn your music into cash’ (#TMC) which underpins all of this.”

Selected among the top 12 startups from more than 750 applicants in the Création Africa 2024 accelerator — an initiative launched by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and led by the Embassy of France and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) to support entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industries — Moodswing is currently live in beta on iOS and Android.

Spotify playlists like Bhinca Nation, Zulu Love Letter, and QUIP: BHINCA BEATS drive explosive growth for the genre once rooted in rural tradition

Johannesburg, 17 June 2025 — What happens when an age-old Zulu genre meets the sound of a generation? You get Maskandi. Reimagined, remixed and resonating like never before.

Spotify data reveals that Maskandi has become South Africa’s fastest-growing genre over the past two years, with nearly half of its listeners under the age of 35. Once considered a rural art form rooted in Zulu storytelling, the genre is undergoing a transformation led by Gen Z artists blending it with Amapiano, gospel, and hip-hop. The result is a vibrant new sound—and a cultural revival.

Spotify’s Bhinca Nation playlist, the go-to destination for contemporary Maskandi, has grown more than 3,000% since 2022 and now averages over 2 million streams each month. Additional playlists like Zulu Love Letter and Khuphuka!  further showcase the genre’s expanding creative range.

This surge in listening has translated into significant gains for both legacy artists and new voices. Since 2023:

• Umafikizolo has seen streams rise by 897%
• Mshinwemali is up 495%
• Sminofu has jumped 258%
• Inkos’yamagcokama and Mzukulu have grown by 86% and 79%, respectively
• Emerging acts like LIMIT NALA and MENZI MUSIC are quickly gaining traction

These shifts signal more than just a genre revival—they point to a generational movement anchored in pride, experimentation, and identity. To better understand what’s driving this evolution, Spotify partnered with the Consumer Insights Agency to commission a report on the six key trends shaping Maskandi’s future.

“Spotify is more than a streaming platform—it’s a cultural catalyst,” said Phiona Okumu, Head of Music, Spotify Sub-Sarahan Africa. “We’re proud to support a new era of Maskandi artists and fans who are redefining what it means to be proudly Zulu in a global music world. We look forward to doing more work in this genre”Explore the full report and learn more about the new wave of Maskandi here.

        Zanzibar, Tanzania • 30 December 2024 – The Trace Awards & Summit 2025, the most prestigious musical event on the African continent, is set to electrify Zanzibar. The Trace Awards ceremony, taking place on the 26th February 2025, will bring together the continent’s and diaspora’s greatest talents. Trace invites fans worldwide to actively participate by voting for their favourite artists.

Voting officially opens on the 2nd January 2025 ➡ www.traceawards.plus.

Music fans, it’s your time to act! Your vote accounts for 50% of the final decision and can make the difference in choosing the winners. The other half results from the votes of an expert jury.

A Celebration of African Musical Diversity

Africa is home to many musical styles that profoundly influence contemporary sounds worldwide.

The Trace Awards highlight the richness and excellence of Afro music through genres such as Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, Afro-pop, mbalax, amapiano, zouk, kizomba, genge, coupé-décalé, bongo flava, soukous, gospel, rap, raï, kompa, RnB, and rumba. Artists from over 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe are competing in 24 categories.

Why Vote?

The Trace Awards are more than just an event; they are a platform dedicated to recognising artists who shape the future of African and international music. By voting, fans have the opportunity to amplify the voices of their favorite artists both on the continent and internationally and support works that reflect their identity and cultural pride.

Voting closes on 15th February 2025. (Voting is free, accessible to all, and fully compliant with RGPD regulations)

TRACE AWARDS 2025 NOMINEES

GLOBAL AWARDS 

Song of the Year
Tyla – Jump (South Africa)
Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa)
Titom & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (South Africa)
Tamsir x Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Asake & Travis Scott – Active (Nigeria)
Tems – Love Me Jeje (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – Higher (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – Benin Boys (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz – Komasawa (Tanzania)

Album of the Year 
Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Asake – Lungu Boy (Nigeria)
Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast)
Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana)
King Promise – True To Self (Ghana)
Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension (Ghana)
Toofan – Stamina (Togo)

Best Collaboration
Titom & Yuppe & Burna Boy – Tshwala Bam (Remix) (South Africa/Nigeria)
Neyna & MC Acondize – Nu Ka Sta Para (Cape Verde)
Kocee ft. Patoranking – Credit Alert (Cameroon/Nigeria)
Asake & Wizkid – MMS (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – Benin Boys (Nigeria)
Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – Woto Woto Seasoning (Ghana)
Tamsir & Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)

Best Music Video
Meji Alabi for Rema “DND” (Nigeria)
TG Omori for Kizz Daniel & Davido “Twe Twe” (Nigeria)
Director Folex for Zuchu feat Innoss’ B “Nani” (Remix) (Tanzania/DRC)
Nabil Elderkin for Tyla “Jump” (South Africa)
Kmane for Ayra Starr “Commas” (Nigeria)
Seoute Emmanuel for Toofan “C Pas Normal” (Togo)
Ach’B for Innoss’ B “Sete” (DRC)
Edgar Esteves for Asake & Wizkid “MMS” (Nigeria).

Best Dancer
Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria)
Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)
Incredible Zigi (Ghana)
Kamo Mphela (South Africa)
Telminho (Angola)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Ordinateur (Ivory Coast)
Issac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of Congo).

Best DJ
Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles – Wadibusa (South Africa)
DJ Tunez – Apala Disco Remix (Nigeria)
DJ Nelasta – Eros (Angola)
DJ Spinall ft. Tyla & Omah Lay – One Call (Nigeria)
DJ Neptune ft. Qing Madi – Honest (Nigeria)
DJ Moh Green – Kelele (Algeria)
DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa)
Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)

Best Hip-Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)
Nasty C (South Africa), Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Odumodublvck (Nigeria), Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Young Lunya (Tanzania)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)

PAN-AFRICAN AWARDS 

Best Global African Artist
Tyla (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria/USA)
Rema (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Best Male Artist
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Asake (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Best Female Artist
Tyla (South Africa)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Newcomer (sponsored by Johnnie Walker)
Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa)
Himra (Ivory Coast)
Sabrina (Cameroon)
Mia Guissé (Senegal)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Qing Madi (Nigeria)
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)

Best Live Performance
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Ayra Starr – 21: The World Tour (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Yemi Alade – African Rebel Tour (Nigeria)
Didi B – Mojo Trone Tour (Ivory Coast)
Diamond Platnumz – Wasafi Festival (Tanzania)

Best Producer
Kelvin Momo – Sewe (South Africa)
P.Priime – MMS (Nigeria)
DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa)
Tam Sir – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Sarz – Happiness (Nigeria)
Jae 5 – Perfect Combi (Ghana)
KDDO – For Certain (Party Next Door) (Nigeria)
London – Ozeba (Nigeria)
Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)

Best Gospel Artist
Spirit of Praise 10 (South Africa)
KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
Bella Kombo (Tanzania)
Israël Mbonyi (Rwanda)

REGIONAL AWARDS

Best Artist Eastern Africa 
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bien (Kenya)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
Rophnan (Ethiopia)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Tanzania)
Nandy (Tanzania)

Best Artist – Western Africa Anglophone
Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Chike (Nigeria)
Simi (Nigeria)
KiDi (Ghana)

Best Artist – Southern Africa
Titom & Yuppe (South Africa)
De Mthuda (South Africa)
Inkabi Zezwe (South Africa)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)

Best Artist Francophone Africa
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Tidiane Mario (Congo)
Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Wally B. Seck (Senegal)
PhillBill (Cameroon)

Best Artist Lusophone Africa
Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Landrick (Angola)
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Twenty Fingers (Mozambique)
Mr. Bow (Mozambique)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Best Artist – Tanzania
Mbosso (Zanzibar)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Zanzibar)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Nandy (Tanzania)
Alikiba (Tanzania)
Jux (Tanzania)
Harmonize (Tanzania)

INTERNATIONAL AND DIASPORA AWARDS 

Best Artist – Europe
Central Cee (United Kingdom)
Kalash (France/Martinique)
Darkoo (United Kingdom)
Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti)
Jungeli (France)
Franglish (France)
Aya Nakamura (France/Mali)

Best Artist – Brazil
Racionais MC’s (Brazil)
MC IG (Brazil)
Péricles (Brazil)
Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)
Ludmilla (Brazil)
Duquesa (Brazil)

Best Artist – Caribbean
Venssy (French Guiana)
Mathieu White (Guadeloupe)
Meryl (Martinique)
Nesly (French Guiana)
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Kenny Haiti (Haiti)

Best Artist – Indian Ocean
Barth (Reunion)
Goulam (Comoros)
PLL (Reunion)
Kalipsxau (Reunion)
Léa Churros (Reunion)
Jamily Jeanne (Mauritius)

To join in the conversation about the Trace Awards & Summit, use the hashtags: #TraceAwardsZanzibar and #TraceSummitZanzibar.

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