Arts writer
MUSIC Exchange,(#MEX15), one of the country’s premier music, film and entertainment programmes, will take place at Market Hall, GrandWest at 9.30am on Friday and Saturday. And once again #MEX15 will feature some of the world’s most respected names in the business.
The conference aims to be a ‘high-touch’ event where the speakers will be present throughout the day and continually be engaged. Delegates are encouraged to bring product to exchange and network with speakers and delegates.
American Bryan Michael Cox is a Grammy award-winning songwriter and record producer. He has been responsible for over 175 million album sales and won nine Grammies.
Cox has co-written and co-produced hit singles including Mary J. Blige’s Be Without You; Mariah Carey’s Shake It Off; Monica’s Still Standing and U Should’ve Known Better; Jagged Edge’s He Can’t Love You, Walked Outta Heaven, Let’s Get Married and Where the Party At; Danity Kane’s Ride For You, Toni Braxton’s Just Be a Man About It, Trippin’ (That's the Way Love Works), Janet Jackson’s Nothing; Marques Houston’s Circle, Ginuwine’s Stingy; Usher’s U Got It Bad, Burn and Confessions, Pt. 2.
Cox has been producing professionally since 1998, receiving his first formal credit on 1999’s Get Gone by R&B Houston-based group Ideal. In 2009, Cox was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
Concluding the first decade of the new millennium he was also named as one of the top 10 producers of the decade by Billboard Magazine. Be Without You, co-written and produced by Cox and performed by Mary J Blige, was also cited as the number one R&B song of the decade.
Add Brandon Bakshi, the Executive Director of Writer/Publisher Relations for Europe & Asia, based in the BMI’s London office, to #MEX15, and this makes this showcase as one of the year’s standout entertainment investment destinations.
While at BMI, Bakshi was responsible for the signing of Daft Punk, Pete Townshend, Queen, Sade, Afrojack, Deadmau5, One Direction, Shaggy, Avicci, as well as Ellie Goulding. He has been a past speaker and moderator at Amsterdam dance event, The Winter Music Conference.
Nathi Mankayi will appear at #MEX15 on Friday at 8pm at Hanover Street, GrandWest. Siphokazi Jonas and her band appears at the launch on Thursday at 6pm.
l Tickets: R100 per day, or R150 for the full two-day event. Book: Computicket 0861 915 8000, www.com puticket.com, or Shoprite and Checkers. Information: www.mex15.co.za, or e-mail [email protected]