What actually happens after an independent artist wins the Rise Fund grant? Beyond the announcement and the celebration, lies the real work.

In this article, Josplay Rise Fund Volume 1 winner, Rheed 1 takes us behind the scenes of his post-funding journey. He breaks down how he spent the grant, how it transformed his career, and what future applicants need to know to make the most of the grant opportunity.

The Reality Before The Grant

When Rheed1 talks about his music, his passion and focus are clear. Like many independent artists in Sub-Saharan Africa, he never lacked vision or talent. What he lacked was the money and resources to bring those ideas to life.

“One of the biggest roadblocks I faced as an independent artist was funding,” Rheed1 explains. “For artists across Sub-Saharan Africa, the challenge is not just making good music. It’s having the resources to record properly, promote the music effectively, and present it at a level that can compete globally.”

Before winning the grant, tight budgets constantly slowed him down. Ideas that deserved immediate execution were put on hold, and plans had to be downsized.

 “Progress always felt slower than the vision I had in my head”. He added. “Then came the Josplay Rise Fund, stepping in at a defining moment to turn my potential into tangible movement”.

Where Did the Money Go?

When asked how he allocated the grant, Rheed 1 explained that the Josplay Rise Fund was spent largely on promotion, recording, and videography. 

“A big part of it went into pushing my music properly so it could reach more listeners, while another part supported the recording process to ensure the sound quality matched the standard I wanted for my releases. I also invested in videography because visuals are such an important part of how music connects with people today, and I wanted to present my work in a way that fully reflected my artistry and vision”. He stated.

Advice for Future Applicants

Looking back, Rheed 1 has a clear message for independent artists looking out for the Rise Fund application. 

“My biggest advice would be to apply with clarity, honesty, and purpose. Don’t just focus on saying you need support, show your vision, show the work you’ve already put in, and explain exactly how the opportunity can help move your career forward”. 

“Platforms like this are important because they can be a real turning point, so artists should take the application seriously and present themselves in the best possible way”. He concluded.

Here is what you need to know about the Josplay Rise Fund.  Create your Josplay artist account here.