Applications for the Josplay Artist Rise Fund 2 officially closed on 14 January, drawing submissions from independent artists across multiple African countries. With the application window now shut, the programme has moved into its final and most critical phase: judging.

Entries are currently being reviewed by a panel comprising Josplay’s internal team and an external industry professional, marking a key shift from the first edition of the fund.

Review process underway

Judges are assessing submissions based on artistic direction, feasibility, and how clearly applicants intend to deploy the funding. Early patterns from the entries show a notable level of clarity among applicants, many of whom outlined structured plans centred on studio sessions, production, post-production, and visual development.

Rather than speculative promotion or lifestyle support, most proposals focused on completing concrete bodies of work, reflecting a growing maturity among emerging African artists navigating independent careers.

External judge joins the panel

This year’s edition introduces an external judge, Xixel Langa, a renowned singer and performer from Maputo, Mozambique. Her involvement adds an additional layer of industry perspective to the selection process. Her participation is expected to contribute to a more balanced evaluation, particularly around long-term artistic viability and practical career development.

Josplay says the decision to include an external judge reflects an effort to strengthen transparency and ensure that final selections are grounded in both creative and professional merit.

Winners to be announced February 20

The winners of Rise Fund 2 will be announced on 20 February.

• Winner: $500

• First runner-up: $300

• Second runner-up: $200

According to Josplay, the grants are intended strictly as career financing, covering areas such as studio time, recording costs, mixing and mastering, video production, and related creative expenses.

A fund built around output, not optics

Now in its second edition, the Josplay Rise Fund continues to position itself as a practical support mechanism rather than a symbolic gesture. The emphasis remains on helping artists complete work and move releases forward, not merely amplifying visibility.

As judging continues, the focus remains on identifying artists whose plans demonstrate both creative intent and execution discipline, reinforcing the fund’s broader aim of supporting sustainable African creative careers.

More updates are expected as the selection process concludes.