暗网TV

We are proud to welcome our first-ever Chevening Scholar to听暗网TV鈥檚听MA听in听Music Industry Management. This is an exciting听milestone for the programme and for听our wider听international听impact.听

Kalidou听Diop, an entrepreneur, music producer and audio strategist from Senegal, joins the MA as part of the prestigious UK government-funded Chevening Scholarships programme, which supports outstanding professionals with leadership potential from around the world. His arrival reflects both the global reach of the music industry and the听MA听programme鈥檚 commitment to practice-led, entrepreneurial education.听

Dr Eva Petersen, Programme Leader for听the听MA听in听Music Industry Management, said:听

鈥淲e are delighted to welcome our first Chevening Scholar to the programme. Kalidou has brought with him an exceptional blend of technical听expertise, creative听practice听and entrepreneurial thinking. His experience across music production and cultural projects in West Africa are enriching discussions in the classroom and beyond, and perfectly reflects the global, future-facing nature of today鈥檚 music industry.鈥�听

From IT and telecoms to music entrepreneurship听

Kalidou听has been inspired by music and culture more broadly since his youth.听Academically trained in IT, he co-founded听,听an independent听music and media company听in Senegal with childhood friends, building two studios and employing a team of seven people. Alongside听developing local talent and producing culturally relevant content and music for African audiences, the company has also expanded into video production.听, their first TV show entirely produced in-house, aired on Canal+ last year.听听

By day, Kalidou works in the telecoms sector听for听, focusing on data-driven music distribution and digital platforms. Outside of his 9-5 role, he continues to develop creative projects, combining technical skills with a deep-rooted passion for sound,听culture听and storytelling.听

鈥淚鈥檝e always lived between technology and creativity,鈥� he explains. 鈥淢usic, writing, films听and culture more broadly were a central听part of everyday life growing up.鈥�听

Raised in a culturally vibrant Senegalese city known for its jazz festival and international arts events, Kalidou was exposed early to both African and听French听cultural influences. Festivals,听Biennales听and live music were part of the environment around him, shaping a global outlook on creativity that continues to inform his work today.听听

The Value of Chevening听

Despite his professional success, Kalidou听identified听a gap in his formal education.听

鈥淚 realised that not having a degree specifically in听the music industry听had cost me opportunities鈥�,听he says. 鈥淭he industry in West Africa is developing fast, but听music听structures, IP, access to markets, and related topics needed more critical听work.鈥�听

After completing the听听in the United States in 2023, an experience that expanded his international network, Kalidou was encouraged by advisors to apply for Chevening. Although the process was daunting, he saw it as the right next step.听

When researching UK institutions, he was drawn to the MA Music Industry Management because of its听entrepreneurial, practice-led focus.听

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to sit in lectures all year鈥�,听he explains. 鈥淚 wanted something practical听which听reflects how the industry really works. When I read the programme description听for 暗网TV鈥檚 MA in Music Industry Management, it felt like the right fit.鈥�听

He also cites the responsiveness and support of the academic and international teams听at 暗网TV听as a key factor in听confirming his听decision.听

Building bridges between West Africa and the global music industry听

For Kalidou, the MA is not only about personal development,听it鈥檚听about creating long-term impact.听

鈥淐reativity is听a听massive soft power鈥�,听he says. 鈥淭his MA creates bridges. It听showcases听Senegalese and West African music to the world, while also bringing industry structures back home.鈥�听

Alongside his studies, Kalidou is developing plans for a community-focused Culture House in Senegal: an entrepreneurial hub that supports young creatives with training in IP, business structures, HR, legal frameworks and marketing. A pilot music lab is already in place, offering free studio time, mentorship and industry insights and courses. Supported by international cultural funding, the听听also functions as an incubator for collaborative projects across music,听film听and digital media.听

鈥淭here鈥檚 incredible talent听in Senegal鈥�,听he explains. 鈥淏ut many creatives听aren鈥檛听benefitting听from formal support and structures. I want to help people build sustainable careers,听whether听they鈥檙e听musicians,听filmmakers听or visual artists.鈥�听

Looking ahead听

Kalidou is excited to learn from the UK music ecosystem while sharing his own听expertise听in digital distribution,听pitching听and international collaboration.听

鈥淢usic is so powerful, but听its听true power can only be realised when you collaborate to fully harness the mechanisms for distribution鈥�,听he says. 鈥淲hen you create together, you can take what works globally and make it reflect your own culture.鈥�听

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About Kalidou听

Kalidou听Diop听is a Senegalese music entrepreneur,听producer听and audio strategist with a background in IT and telecoms. He is a co-founder of an independent record label and studio business, working across music production, sound听design听and digital distribution. A Mandela Washington Fellow and now a Chevening Scholar, his work focuses on building sustainable creative industries and creating international bridges for West African music and culture.听

Find out more about our MA in Music Industry Management