Five of Africa’s cultural giants – including artist-producer, Tresor, and Afrobeats legend D’banj – star in Keep Walking Africa Top 30: The Round Table show to broadcast on Trace channels across Africa on December 9th.

On Keep Walking Africa Top 30: The Round Table show, the panel engages in a compelling discussion on the future of African culture and the creative industry, while also featuring the creatives identified on the Keep Walking: Africa Top 30 list, a joint vision from Johnnie Walker™ and Trace, to identify the next generation of African creatives across music, film, media, fashion, and art.

Joining Tresor and D’Banj on the panel are media & fashion expert, and former editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine Cote D’Ivoire, Frederique Leininger; film aficionado and head of sales & distribution company AAA Films, Mayenzeke Baza; Brand Lead House of Walker, Adrian De Wet and; music industry expert & show moderator, Munya Chanetsa.

“It’s an exciting time for African culture, what with the global interest and recognition in our creative sector. Our next generation of creatives have great opportunities and the creatives on the Keep Walking Africa: Top 30 list show the incredible depth of talent we have in Africa,” says Tresor, who wrote and co-produced the singles “Currents”, “Massive”, “Flight’s Booked”, “Overdrive”, “Downhill” and “Tie That Binds” from Drake’s 2022 album, “Honestly, Nevermind”.

The inaugural Keep Walking: Africa Top 30 list includes creatives (some of whom have made global impact) from across the continent, from Angola to Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Gabon, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.

“While it’s impossible to project the future, African culture is without doubt on a phenomenal growth trajectory, driven by not only local consumption but long-awaited global appeal. The show is a deep but fun dive into exactly this as well as giving viewers insight into some really unique, next gen African creatives,” said moderator, Munya Chanetsa, founder of Masters of The Industry (an online music industry skills transfer platform) and MD: Africa for EMPIRE Publishing.

Topics on Keep Walking Africa Top 30: The Round Table range from the future of African music identity, emerging trends in the African fashion aesthetic, how technology is impacting art, the evolution of media and how African stories are making waves in a more diverse global film market.

“From around the continent, the Keep Walking: Africa Top 30 list reflects the best, next generation of African cultural innovators and Keep Walking Africa Top 30: The Round Table reveals just how culture can bring the continent together. We couldn’t be more thrilled,” says Valentine Gaudin-Muteba, Trace Managing Director, Southern Africa.

Adds Adrian De Wet, Brand Lead House of Walker: “The depth of talent amongst the finalists on the Top 30 gave us real inspiration and it’s clear that African creatives walk their own path boldly and with confidence. Keep Walking Africa Top 30: The Round Table also reveals just how dynamic African culture is while retaining such a strong sense of shared identity.”

Keep Walking Africa Top 30: The Round Table broadcasts on Trace Africa, Trace Toca, Trace Mutzika and Trace Africa Anglophone on December 9th as well as Trace Radio in Côte d’Ivoire at 21h00 GMT; 19h00 CAT; 23h00 WAT; 21h00 EAT.

•          #JohnnieWalker #KeepWalking #AfricaTop30