Babatunde Makinde Launches A&R Foundry 2027 Initiative
The new program aims to professionalize music talent scouting across five key African markets.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Music — General
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Babatunde Makinde has officially launched the A&R Foundry 2027 initiative to support music talent scouts. The program focuses on equipping industry professionals across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa with standardized skills.
Why it matters
This initiative seeks to create a structured entry point into the A&R profession, providing formal training for those who manage artist discovery and career growth. By integrating technology with a professional curriculum, the program aims to professionalize the development of new music talent.
The initiative encompasses five distinct African markets including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. Babatunde Makinde leads the project, leveraging 10 years of personal music industry experience to curate the curriculum.
The players
Babatunde Makinde
He is the founder of A&R Duty and the manager of the A&R Foundation development mission.
A&R Duty
This organization provides the technological infrastructure and tools used to support the new scouting initiative.
The details
The A&R Foundry 2027 integrates a professional development curriculum with proprietary technology powered by A&R Duty. Participants will receive training in music evaluation, industry business practices, and strategies for managing an artist's creative direction.
Timeline
The A&R Foundry 2027 cohort is scheduled to operate throughout 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The A&R Foundry 2027 development initiative signals a broader effort to formalize creative talent management in emerging markets. This program marks a structural expansion of industry-standard professional development training into regions where such career paths were previously less organized.
Aspiring talent scouts in the target African markets can expect future announcements regarding application windows and eligibility criteria for the 2027 cohort. Professionals should monitor official communications to determine if they meet the requirements for this new development path.
The takeaway
The formalization of A&R training represents a significant step for professionals looking to master the intricacies of artist career growth. Those interested in the field should begin tracking industry-led development programs to stay updated on emerging certification and training opportunities.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of industry talent development, visit the Music — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pulse Nigeria.
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