Play To Win Returns To Lagos for Its 2025 Edition, with a Mission To Redefine Africa’s Music Business

West Africa’s leading music business summit, Play to Win, presented by The Law Offices of Robert A. Celestin and sponsored by Empire Africa, returns this November for its second edition. Building on last year’s success, Play to Win 2025 promises to be bigger and better, extending its reach to a global audience through a groundbreaking 12-hour livestream and introducing a new cultural highlight, an official after-party featuring Lagos’s leading DJs.

THREE DAYS OF MUSIC, MENTORSHIP, AND GLOBAL IMPACT

From November 14 to 16, 2025, Lagos will host three days of learning, connection, and cultural exchange, bringing together the leaders and innovators driving the African music industry forward.

The summit opens on November 14 with the Play to Win Live Auditions, where emerging artistswill perform before a panel of leading executives and attorneys from Empire Africa and RAC Law.The winner will receive ₦3 million and a studio equipment bundle, along with full enrollment into the Creative Business Academy (CBA) for Africa Programme. The second and third place winners will also receive CBA scholarships through the Beneficiary Fund.

For the first time, the auditions will be broadcast to a global audience through a 12-hour livestream, marking the longest music business broadcast ever to come out of Africa. The stream will spotlight emerging African talent to an international viewership in real time, amplifying the summit’s global reach.

An exclusive welcome reception will follow on November 15, bringing together top executives, artists, producers, and cultural figures for a night of networking and industry connection.

The final day will feature a full schedule of keynotes and panel discussions, followed by an official after-party featuring some of Lagos’s most influential DJs, curated to celebrate the cultural heartbeat of the city.

HIGHLIGHT PANELS

• How A&R, Management, Marketing, and Distribution Power Breakthrough Artists

A deep dive into how creative direction, artist management, and distribution strategies fuel some of the continent’s biggest success stories. Featuring Empire Africa senior executives, Tobi Tej (Creative Director and Manager, Mavo), and other key industry leaders.

• The 4 Most Important Contracts Every Artist Should Know

A practical legal session breaking down the core agreements that shape an artist’s career: the Artist Management Agreement, Major Label Recording Agreement, Music Publishing Agreement, and Producer Agreement. Led by award-winning lawyers Robert A. Celestin and Camille N. Anidi from The Law Offices of Robert A. Celestin.

• Sound, Stage, and Strategy: Inside the DJ and Producer Economy

An inside conversation on creative entrepreneurship, brand building, and touring in the digital era, featuring Dutty Yosa(Rema’s official tour DJ), Dope Caesar, and Ronny Jatagani (Founder, Element House).

A NEW ERA FOR AFRICAN MUSIC BUSINESS

Speaking on this year’s edition, award-winning lawyer Camille N. Anidi, project lead for Play to Win 2025, who has represented artists including BNXN and Seyi Vibez, said:

“Our goal is to equip artists and executives across Africa with the knowledge, legal understanding, and global perspective they need to truly compete. Play to Win is a bridge between creativity and structure, between Lagos and the world.”

Robert A. Celestin, award-winning entertainment lawyer and founder of The Law Offices of Robert A. Celestin, whose firm has represented global superstars including Pop Smoke and XXXTentacion, will be in Lagos for the summit to share practical insights into artist development, management, and legal literacy in today’s fast-evolving music landscape.

They will be joined by senior executives from Empire Africa and a line-up of influential creatives representing the energy, innovation, and ambition driving the continent’s sound.

ABOUT PLAY TO WIN

Play to Win was founded to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce within Africa’s growing music industry. The first edition in 2024 drew over 250 participants, including artists, producers, and label executives. The 2025 summit builds on this legacy with live global streaming, expanded partnerships, and a renewed commitment to empowering African creatives with access, education, and opportunity.