France’s international public service radio station RFI (Radio France Internationale) has launched this year’s Prix Découverte RFI (RFI Discoveries Award). Since 1981 RFI has organised this award for singers and musicians which is open to entrants living in Africa, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean islands* (see full list of countries below).

The jury consists of a panel of music professionals, headed up by a well-known artist. In the past Jacob Desvarieux, Salif Keita and Youssou N’Dour have contributed to the selection process. The award has helped many artists on the path to international success, including Tiken Jah Fakoly, Didier Awadi, Tcheka and Amadou & Mariam. The winner of the 2009 edition was the young Senegalese artist Naby.

This year, the prize for the winner will be a cash award of 7,000 euros + an artist development grant of 11,000 euros + a tour in Africa + a concert in Paris + concerts at major French festivals including Musiques Métisses d’Angoulême and Jazz de Coutances.

The competition closes on 30 June 2010.

To enter and for full terms and conditions visit: www.rfi.fr or contact RFI Direction de la Communication, 116 avenue du Président Kennedy 75016 Paris-France [email protected] Tel: 33 1 56 40 51 92

*Applicable countries:
Africa: South Africa, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte-d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Indian Ocean: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles
Caribbean: Dominica, Haïti and St Lucia

Please send your applications directly to RFI and not to the Arterial Network.