Brazzaville urban culture spotlight at IFC
A new opportunity is opening for young Congolese creatives. The Institut français du Congo (IFC) in Brazzaville, working with several cultural partners, is preparing the Tremplins Mboté Hip Hop, scheduled for September, with a clear goal: bring fresh urban talent into the spotlight.
The call targets young people aged 15 to 35 who want to show what they can do in today’s urban music ecosystem. The organizers present the project as both a stage for expression and a practical step toward professional life in music.
Rap, dance, DJing: categories you can enter
The Tremplins Mboté Hip Hop is not limited to rap. The disciplines announced include rap, dance, DJing, beatmaking and slam, reflecting how broad hip-hop culture has become in Brazzaville and beyond.
The call also includes behind-the-scenes professions that often decide whether a project can grow: management and video. By welcoming these profiles, the organizers signal that they are looking for complete teams and real career paths, not only performers.
Free registration and deadline: what to know
Participation is open and fully free, a key point for many families and young artists managing tight budgets. The competition is presented as accessible, with no entry fee, so that talent and work can be the main selection criteria.
Registrations are open until 5 February. Candidates can register directly with the IFC programming service in Brazzaville or by email at assistant.programmation.brazzaville@ifcongo.com. Organizers encourage applicants to respect the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
How selections work for each profile
Selection methods depend on the category. For managers, beatmakers and videographers, the evaluation is done through a dossier. This approach favors clear presentation, seriousness, and the ability to show concrete work, even before stepping on stage.
Management candidates are asked to submit a CV along with a motivation letter. Beatmakers must provide a CV and three music productions, delivered on CD or USB drive. The organizers’ wording suggests they want to see both skill and an ability to structure a professional approach.
For videographers, the focus is on the best clips shot with smartphones. The clips can be sent by USB drive or by email. This choice highlights a reality of today’s creation: strong visuals can be produced with accessible tools, as long as the idea and execution are solid.
Rappers, dancers, DJs and slammers will defend their talent in front of a jury during live stage performances. These auditions are expected to test presence, technique, originality and the ability to connect with an audience, a key requirement for urban shows.
Training and visibility for the winners
Beyond the competition, the organizers describe a pathway meant to detect, train and support youth talent. The aim is to give participants better visibility within the cultural scene, at a moment when many artists look for structured support and professional networks.
The winners of the Tremplins Mboté Hip Hop are expected to receive an intensive three-week training program focused on urban music professions. For emerging artists and creative teams, the promise is simple: skills, guidance and a stronger launchpad to build or consolidate a career.
What young artists can do right now
For candidates, the most urgent step is choosing a category and preparing materials that match the requested format. A clean CV, a clear motivation letter, and carefully selected productions can make a difference, especially for dossier-based selections.
Those applying for stage categories can use the remaining time to rehearse a short, strong performance, plan sound needs, and work on stage presence. The IFC’s call frames the Tremplins as a professional experience, so preparation matters as much as talent.
Sources and verification notes
This article is based on the announcement published by Journal de Brazza about the Tremplins Mboté Hip Hop and the details it provided on dates, categories, and registration steps (Journal de Brazza). As no additional official document is included in the source text, details are reported as stated and kept factual.
