Play to Win, one of West Africa’s most influential and fast-growing music business summits, returned to Lagos for its second edition with a powerful message: Africa’s creative future will be built on structure, knowledge and global access.
Presented by The Law Offices of Robert A. Celestin in partnership with Empire Africa, the 2025 edition expanded its scale, visibility and impact anchored by a historic 12-hour global livestream, industry-led masterclasses, strategic networking engagements and a spotlight on rising African talent.
And at the center of this year’s story is Esoterica, the emerging artist who was unveiled as the winner of the highly anticipated Play to Win 2025 Live Auditions.
ESOTERICA RISES: A STAR EMERGES FROM LAGOS
After a rigorous audition process featuring dozens of Lagos-based performers, Esoterica was officially announced as the 2025 Live Auditions Winner. She stepped forward to receive a symbolic ₦3,000,000 cheque, presented on stage amid cheers, camera flashes and a global online audience.
Her prize package includes:
• ₦3 million cash award
• A full professional studio equipment bundle
• Automatic admission into the Creative Business Academy (CBA) Africa Programme
Her victory captivated both the live audience and thousands of online viewers, marking her as one of the new voices to watch in Africa’s evolving music landscape.
Second and third-place winners also received scholarships into the CBA Programme via the Play to Win Beneficiary Fund, further extending the summit’s commitment to talent development.
A THREE-DAY SUMMIT REDEFINING AFRICAN MUSIC BUSINESS
Hosted from November 14–16, 2025, Play to Win offered a structured and immersive program designed to empower emerging creatives and equip industry professionals with world-class knowledge.
DAY ONE: THE 12-HOUR GLOBAL LIVESTREAM
The summit made history with a record-breaking 12-hour broadcast, the longest continuous music business livestream ever produced from Africa.
Viewers across the continent, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. tuned in to watch auditions, interviews, executive commentary and live judging expanding Lagos’ influence as a global creative hub.
DAY TWO: INDUSTRY WELCOME RECEPTION
The exclusive mixer brought together:
• Label executives
• Entertainment lawyers
• Producers and songwriters
• Media professionals
• Cultural influencers
The evening created new alliances and strengthened industry networks essential for Africa’s next decade of creative growth.
DAY THREE: PANELS, MASTERCLASSES & THE CULTURAL AFTER-PARTY
Day Three delivered deep, actionable knowledge through a series of high-level sessions featuring influential voices shaping Africa’s music ecosystem.
HIGHLIGHT PANELS & STRATEGIC INSIGHTS
1. How A&R, Management, Marketing and Distribution Power the Modern Artist
Featuring senior executives from Empire Africa, the panel explored how artists break globally through coordinated creative direction, digital strategy, and brand positioning.
2. The Four Essential Contracts Every Modern Artist Must Understand
Led by award-winning entertainment lawyers Robert A. Celestin and Camille N. Anidi, this legal masterclass broke down:
• Artist Management Agreements
• Recording Contracts
• Publishing Deals
• Producer Agreements
The session armed attendees with the legal clarity needed to navigate today’s complex music landscape.
3. Sound, Stage & Strategy: Inside the DJ and Producer Economy
Featuring Dutty Yosa (Rema’s official tour DJ), Dope Caesar, and Ronny Jatagani (Founder, Element House), this conversation opened the curtain on performance economics, touring, and digital-era branding.
The summit concluded with an official Lagos-style after-party featuring leading DJs celebrating the city’s rhythmic heartbeat and cultural influence.
PLAY TO WIN: BRIDGING AFRICA TO THE WORLD
Speaking on the significance of this year’s edition, project lead Camille N. Anidi emphasized the mission:
“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.”
Founder Robert A. Celestin, an award-winning U.S. entertainment lawyer whose firm has represented global stars including Pop Smoke and XXXTentacion, delivered expert insights on artist development, management, and intellectual property protection.
Their leadership combined with Empire Africa’s support continues to position Play to Win as one of the continent’s most credible platforms for music business education.
ABOUT PLAY TO WIN
Play to Win was founded to close the gap between creative talent and business literacy across Africa’s rapidly expanding entertainment economy.
The inaugural edition in 2024 attracted over 250 participants.
The 2025 edition scaled significantly, adding:
• Global livestreaming
• Expanded partnerships
• Increased talent support
• New training and mentorship opportunities
The summit remains dedicated to empowering emerging African creatives with the access and expertise needed to compete on a global stage.
